Advice: Changing Band Name

adamrobertt · #1 11-20-2009, 09:11 PM

Hey all. I'm currently in a 3 piece rock band. We've been together for awhile and we've managed to build up a considerable following in the area. Our Myspace has over 100,000 views and we've begun the process of shopping to labels.

Additionally, we're currently mixing our debut full length (after releasing an EP) and we've decided that we want to change our name.

Reasons for the name change:

1) We just plain don't like it. It sounds goofy and it makes us seem like something that we're not.
2) It was decided hastily and we never got around to changing it out of laziness; so it's kind of been a long time coming.
3) It has our singer's name in it, which erroneously leads people to believe that he's some sort of "leader" or that he's "in charge." He's not. We write and make band decisions as a group. Even he's annoyed by it.

Is this a good idea or a bad one? The only real qualms I have with it are that it might confuse some of our current fans. I think that we'll be able to make the switch pretty smoothly. Fortunately, we'll be able to keep our MySpace plays/views because they give you the option when you make a MySpace mail account.

What do you think?

seanm · #2 11-20-2009, 09:20 PM

Unless the name is really bad, I would consider it a bad idea. You go from a "known" band to an "unknown" band. It will take some time to get name recognition again.

What is the band name?

standupright · #3 11-20-2009, 09:20 PM

post the band name

bertbassplayer · #4 11-20-2009, 09:23 PM

If your going to do it, you need to do it now. Myspace views/friends whatever mean nothing. Your 3rd reason can be a problem in the long run, as you said it does put focus on your singer. What happens if down the road your singer quits? Well you'll have to change the name anyway, which will be more difficult the longer time passes. If you don't like the name now, it'll just get worse. Name change can cause confusion but that's where communication comes in.

adamrobertt · #5 11-20-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertbassplayer

If your going to do it, you need to do it now.

This is exactly our reasoning, pretty much. Now or never.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertbassplayer

Myspace views/friends whatever mean nothing. Your 3rd reason can be a problem in the long run, as you said it does put focus on your singer. What happens if down the road your singer quits? Well you'll have to change the name anyway, which will be more difficult the longer time passes. If you don't like the name now, it'll just get worse.

He's not going to quit. If any one of us were to quit, the band would be over anyway.

MySpace views do mean something, I'm afraid. Labels want to see that bands can establish a following on their own. We've had labels tell us this.

We're called "Frankie and His Fingers."

Kenny Allyn · #6 11-20-2009, 09:28 PM

We have a band here with a similar problem ...

They have a name that was kinda goofy and most likely
something they did early and quick. Last year they decided
to make a change, but it just would not take, everyone still
knows and calls them by the old name ... I think they finally
just gave up.

... But they stay constantly booked as the Memphis Yahoos

adamrobertt · #7 11-20-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

We have a band here with a similar problem ...

They have a name that was kinda goofy and most likely
something they did early and quick. Last year they decided
to make a change, but it just would not take, everyone still
knows and calls them by the old name ... I think they finally
just gave up.

... But they stay constantly booked as the Memphis Yahoos

Well, that's kind of their fault for not sticking to it or making it clear that their name was changing. We plan on being really communicative about it and sticking to it.

Kenny Allyn · #8 11-20-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamrobertt

Well, that's kind of their fault for not sticking to it or making it clear that their name was changing. We plan on being really communicative about it and sticking to it.

Say what! ... where do you get your "inside" info on that?

... Hey best of luck man

adamrobertt · #9 11-20-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

Say what! ... where do you get your "inside" info on that?

... Hey best of luck man

The head of public relations for Universal/Republic, for one. We have a few connections. The woman who is helping to shop us pretty much knows everyone in the music industry. Her husband used to manage Todd Rundgen.

That being said, we're not going to get signed just because we know people. Those days are over. We still have to prove ourselves to our potential labels.

Kenny Allyn · #10 11-20-2009, 10:04 PM

Yeah well Ok ...

You asked advice, then proceed to to tell everyone you got it all covered ...
and point fingers at others saying they didn't try hard enough.

... A little arrogance goes a long way

TortillaChip520 · #11 11-20-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by standupright

post the band name

+1, post the name, or no advice

haha well a while ago my old band went through the same thing. it's better to get it over with as soon as possible.

adamrobertt · #12 11-20-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

Yeah well Ok ...

You asked advice, then proceed to to tell everyone you got it all covered ...
and point fingers at others saying they didn't try hard enough.

... A little arrogance goes a long way

What are you talking about man? You asked me a question and I answered it. Instead of actually addressing the issue at hand, you decided to mock my sources. That's not even the point. You're the one being arrogant here.

Tortilla, I posted the name above, but here it is again.

We're called "Frankie and His Fingers."

xgator4u · #13 11-20-2009, 10:22 PM

He did , see post # 5 , and I quote "
We're called "Frankie and His Fingers."

I do not blame him for wanting to change that name. In the O.P. he stated "It sounds goofy and it makes us seem like something that we're not." Well I would imagine that is an accurate statement.
The O.P. is from Red Hook, N.Y.
What would be wrong with naming the band " RED HOOK" ? , It sure beats Frankie's fingers.

adamrobertt · #14 11-20-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgator4u

He did , see post # 5 , and I quote "
We're called "Frankie and His Fingers."

I do not blame him for wanting to change that name. In the O.P. he stated "It sounds goofy and it makes us seem like something that we're not." Well I would imagine that is an accurate statement.
The O.P. is from Red Hook, N.Y.
What would be wrong with naming the band " RED HOOK" ? , It sure beats Frankie's fingers.

Ha, well we're not all from Red Hook and I don't even live there anymore. We've actually already got a name lined up, and we're pretty much ready to just do it. I was just looking for some final opinions.

You're right about our current name though... it's tough to answer the question "What's your band called?" these days. :P

**Stumbo** · #15 11-21-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamrobertt

Is this a good idea or a bad one?

IMO, I say bad.

If you lose the singer, keep the name the same. It's just a name and you can use it as a generic name, no matter what the singer's name it.

IMO, The time for changing the name is long past.

The name would be okay with me. Maybe "Frankie and the Fingers" would be okay too.

If you're ready to get signed, how will the label take to a new band name?

The only name that I think would work is "The Fingers"

To me, it doesn't make much sense to change it to anything else.

Kenny Allyn · #16 11-21-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamrobertt

What are you talking about man? You asked me a question and I answered it.

Just for the record ... NO you didn't

The original post ask advice, IIRC I gave you an example of a well know band around here that tried and it didn't take. You re-post that "they" didn't try hard enough! What I ask is where you got your inside info on that?

I (as usual) totally agree with Strumbos take on this.

...

Jim Campbell · #17 11-21-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

IMO, I say bad.

If you lose the singer, keep the name the same. It's just a name and you can use it as a generic name, no matter what the singer's name it.

IMO, The time for changing the name is long past.

The name would be okay with me. Maybe "Frankie and the Fingers" would be okay too.

If you're ready to get signed, how will the label take to a new band name?

The only name that I think would work is "The Fingers"

To me, it doesn't make much sense to change it to anything else.

or frankie fingers........has a ring to it,but i kinda like red hook too,or combine them into frankie fingers and the red hook riot.....or something

thepeopleperson · #18 11-21-2009, 09:09 AM

Just change it man, it's not hard. If people like you they'll remember that you've changed it. Plus if alot of your following is on Myspace then it's all good.

Get it done, now!

ronniequeue · #19 11-21-2009, 09:17 AM

If it will make you guys happy, do it. But, act now. Make sure the new name is the right one, since you're about to release your debut album. I like the name, fwiw. It will be a pain in the rear to re-direct your current fans from old social networking pages to new ones, but you've probably been considering this. Labels want to see a good deal more than 4,000 myspace friends and a much higher daily play count, so even though it won't be fun to change these pages over, it's better than having to do it after 20,000 or 50,000 friends. Good luck with your decision.

P.S. I really dig the tunes as well.

timber22 · #20 11-21-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

IMO, I say bad.

If you lose the singer, keep the name the same. It's just a name and you can use it as a generic name, no matter what the singer's name it.

IMO, The time for changing the name is long past.

The name would be okay with me. Maybe "Frankie and the Fingers" would be okay too.

If you're ready to get signed, how will the label take to a new band name?

The only name that I think would work is "The Fingers"

To me, it doesn't make much sense to change it to anything else.

I agree that if you're going to change it, change it to something that clearly links you to the old name such as "The Fingers" or some other variation of the original name.

Good luck with whatever you decide...