Awful Band Name - Fight or Flight?

Jamo2000 · #1 02-13-2011, 09:31 AM

I've been playing with these guys for almost a year, we sound good enough for what we are (hobby band) & we have a lot of fun, so I like the gig in that regard.

The problem is the band name, it was there before I was & I've tried to get it to be changed. It was claimed there was "equity" in the name (the opposite has since proven true).

I'm mixing our EP now, and I really want to release it under a different name.

I look to you, TB to advise me on how to handle this. Suck it up or stand my ground.

The name is embarrassing, we had to modify it to play in a parade & every time I mention it, I have to go through the lengthy and irritating back-story. It's just not worth it. I think.

My wife & her friends HATE it. We need to get gals on the dance floor & we need to be able to play all-ages functions.

The band name?

D*MN CLOSE

If you want to know where it came from check us out on FB, I'm sick of explaining it.

I'm seriously considering quitting the gig if it doesn't change, does that make me a jerk? I'm too old to be embarrassed at every gig.

Need some reasoning here, TB.

Big John66 · #2 02-13-2011, 09:46 AM

Tell your buds to wise up and change the name. I just went through this with a band and can't tell you how much it sucked to be at a gig and be embarrased about the band name.

I ended up leaving the band since the lead singer absolutely would not change the name. Within a month, we had regrouped, changed the name and have been having a blast.

Do not underestimate the effect of a crappy band name.

Floyd Eye · #3 02-13-2011, 09:49 AM

It may sound snobbish or whatever, but I make it a point never to get involved in a band where my opinion doesn't carry huge weight.

On the other hand, that band name doesn't sound all that horrible to me.

p.s. NEVER explain your band name to people.

St Drogo · #4 02-13-2011, 09:53 AM

Sounds like you were damn close to a reasonably okay band name. Just not quite there.

Red Rover · #5 02-13-2011, 09:59 AM

I looked up the FB page and couldn't find the backstory.

I personally don't see the big deal about the band name. It's not that bad at all. It's kind of silly that you had to actually change the name to play a gig. I mean really... people are so easily offended?

With that said, if you don't like the name then let it be known. If you already have told them and they're not willing to change it and it bothers you that much then you may need to part ways.

Mike Shevlin · #6 02-13-2011, 10:08 AM

You are welcome to use the band names I used in high school ~ Ravioli In The Morning or Farting In Las Vegas

D.A.R.K. · #7 02-13-2011, 10:14 AM

damn close= almost worth paying to hear, but not quite....

OOZMAN · #8 02-13-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rover

I looked up the FB page and couldn't find the backstory.

I personally don't see the big deal about the band name. It's not that bad at all. It's kind of silly that you had to actually change the name to play a gig. I mean really... people are so easily offended?

With that said, if you don't like the name then let it be known. If you already have told them and they're not willing to change it and it bothers you that much then you may need to part ways.

Yeah, I wrote d*mn and I got warning from TB. I thought it was a joke. Funny how people are saying it here and that's all cool

. Don't worry, I won't dob you's in

JimiLL · #9 02-13-2011, 10:36 AM

I dont think it was that bad...

Would even be good for some type of metal

redlikejazz · #10 02-13-2011, 10:41 AM

You should change the story behind the name every time you tell it. J ust to mess with people. My band's name is 'Bird'. I tell anyone who asks a different, usually made up on the spot, story about how a bird affected my life at one point.

Unrepresented · #11 02-13-2011, 10:43 AM

I don't hate the band name, but my opinion isn't what ultimately matters.

I was watching a documentary on Queen, and a member of Freddy Mercury's pre-Queen band were recalling how he had phoned him one night to ask if they'd be okay with a name change, the others had agreed to it already, and he felt it was the right direction for the band. He agreed. Turns out Freddy had done this with each of the band members, telling the exact same story and had already stenciled the new band name on the band's gear the week before.

**xed** · #12 02-13-2011, 10:55 AM

It sounds like everyone in your band would agree that having that name has caused some amount of problems that presumably would not have existed with a different name.

Personally I don't have a problem with the name but you're bound to bump into people who will. Here's what I would do, get everyone to agree that it's been a problem in the past and that's not likely to change in the future. Then tell everyone to write down two words, each on it's own piece of paper and then toss them all in a hat. Start pulling pieces of paper. Rinse/repeat until you've got your new band name. You'll get a good laugh out of it too which might make it go over better.

steamthief · #13 02-13-2011, 10:55 AM

I don't think it's that bad, but I think Fight or Flight is better.

jgroh · #14 02-13-2011, 10:56 AM

How about Jean Claude Van Damn Close? Ahhh....sounded funny when I said it.

PBFACTOR · #15 02-13-2011, 10:59 AM

i screwed up and an didn't join a band when i thought the name was goofy. all i can say is huge mistake. the name really isn't that important. the music should carry the band, not the name.

Muzoid · #16 02-13-2011, 11:01 AM

Well...I found a band on FB already named FoF....which I don't really think is that great, but that's just my personal opinion.

It's none of your wives or friends business, and any of them sticking their noses in, should never happen.

D*mn Close?, meh as well.

(my opinions only)

ChrisB2 · #17 02-13-2011, 01:30 PM

Just tell 'em what you told us. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

If they're babies and can't handle it, you may have to leave. And no, you're not being a jerk if you decide this band isn't for you. Just be nice and up-front. If they're adults, it will all work out fine no matter what. If they're babies, let them worry about it.

I would leave a band over the name if it bothered me. I've been in this boat and worked to get the name changed. If you push it, you'll probably be expected to do most of the work as far as coming up with ideas etc., which is fair.

Good luck. Just tell 'em.

mboogiemanusa · #18 02-13-2011, 01:59 PM

It's simple ......."FLIGHT" .....all members have to be comfortable marketing the band with a name that makes you proud to be a part of. I don't think your band name is that awful or even offensive but then again maybe you live in the bible belt? Way more offensive names out here in LA. The main problem with your name is that it's not that catchy from a marketing stand point. Maybe use the marketing angle to convince your mates to find a better name.

Rockmusician · #19 02-13-2011, 02:11 PM

Could be worse. I was in a band about 12 years ago and we couldn't decide on a name. One member suggested "The Sex Towels". The Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky scandal and been in the news for a while so another band member suggested we call the band "Monica's Dress". We settled on "Double Take".

mcm · #20 02-13-2011, 02:12 PM

i wouldnt get caught up in a band name, especially if you like the guys. there are no good band names left anyway