With a sound that mixes 21st century indie tones and the late-'70s new wave attitude of Talking Heads or the Modern Lovers, New York City's the Virgins were formed in 2006 by lead singer/songwriter Donald Cumming. A true product of N.Y.C., Cumming grew up in Tribeca. He became a model for Ryan McGinley, a photographer known for his striking portraits of N.Y.C.'s youth. During a photo shoot in Mexico, Cumming met future Virgins guitarist Wade Oates. With bassist Nick Zarin-Ackerman and drummer Erik Ratensperger on board, they now had a band and released a well-received self-titled EP in 2007, having yet to perform live. The Virgins only had two loft party gigs under their belt before their monumental third show, a showcase alongside Patti Smith and Sonic Youth during Paris Fashion Week. Atlantic Records soon signed them and the self-titled LP was released in June of 2008. It led to U.S. TV appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Show with David Letterman, and later, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. After a few years of international music festival appearances and tours, and lineup changes that left Cumming as the only constant member, a sophomore Virgins album titled Strike Gently was released as the first non-strokes album on Julian Casablancas’ label Cult Records in 2013.. In late 2013, Cumming announced that the band had split and he intended to pursue a solo career.
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