With a name that conjures images of purity and smooth blends, Birmingham, Alabama's Virgos Merlot was not always the smartly attired, reptilian contact lensed group they appeared to be in 1998, the year they first toured with such notable alt-rock bands as Fuel) and Eve 6. Singer/lyricist Brett Hestla, guitarist Jason Marchant, who had known oneanother since high school, and drummer JD Charlton all played together in a band named Wanton Rut. When that band later became the Devine, guitarist Ted "Deacon" Ledbetter joined. Hestla and Marchant worked in a cabinet shop at the time...