the lyres? i like 'em, and i personally know monoman (the "singer"). the dude's a fucking nutcase, and begged me to cover his shift at a record store in boston so he could get an $85 haircut. still, the lyres rock and are one of america's most underappreciated garage-rock bands.
best virginia band? i like the honor role nomination, and to extend that further, i say breadwinner. other notables (past and present) include labradford, pelt, rake, wingtip sloat, orthotonics, the alternatives, kepone, the last days of may (w/ karl precoda of the dream syndicate), skywave, ceremony, valkyrie, pig destroyer, alabama thunderpussy, RPG, loincloth, beaten back to pure, and harm*stryker.