Band names really don't matter that much.....

Stumbo · #1 05-03-2009, 07:52 PM

from: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Musi...ite/index.html

At 1:18 a.m., BONERama -- a brass-funk rock band lead by three trombones -- has just finished a 90-minute set...

Suddenly the crowd of about 75 clears out of the way... Dressed in black shirts, they are the Midnite Disturbers, a Jazz Fest supergroup...

So pick any name you like and go with it.

jdieh1 · #2 05-04-2009, 03:14 AM

Haha. Will do, thanks for the advice

Moe Monsarrat · #3 05-04-2009, 11:49 AM

You're right about it not mattering too much anymore. The only time it matters is when you have to tell your grandma or a cop or cellmate: "Yeah, I play in a band called The Buck Futts...."

adamrobertt · #4 05-04-2009, 11:51 AM

Name doesn't matter if you're good.

Name matters if you're not.

MysticMichael · #5 05-06-2009, 11:10 PM

I disagree. People who are in bands with names that are uninspired, lame and/or lacking any imagination or creativity are usually among the first to claim that the name doesn't really matter - mostly because these qualities describe the vast majority of bands currently playing.

A clever, highly original and/or artfully descriptive or evocative name for a band can be a most powerful marketing tool - if leveraged in a very savvy, intelligent manner. Think of it as your brand.

The fact that a truly outstanding band can achieve great success in spite of having a stupid name is not an argument that names don't really matter - it's an argument that truly superior musicianship can transcend even a stupid name. But an outstanding band could enjoy even more success with a truly inspired name...

MM

artistanbul · #6 05-06-2009, 11:17 PM

name does matter, and yes it's about marketing and brand recognition.

buckfutts would be a bad choice for a jazz trio, but it could work for a punk band.

Stumbo · #7 05-06-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

. But an outstanding band could enjoy even more success with a truly inspired name

Aren't you the tribute band guy?

I disagree with your disagreement.

Name one band that was less successful because of their name and not their music and prove it.

Post some original names that are "truly inspired", in your opinion.

Moe Monsarrat · #8 05-07-2009, 09:20 AM

How would a name like The Buck Futts go over in Turkey? Never mind. I think it would be rather difficult to prove that any name was in fact "truly inspired" or for that matter truly uninspired. After all we don't know what the guy who made it up was thinking. Look at it this way: if you just take the name & forget about their music, most names sound silly or funny. Certainly not what they evoke in the context of the artists music. Even the ols school biggies....The Beatles, Led Zepplin, The Beach Boys, The Rascals, The Turtles...etc. Their names just sound kinda flat if you don't think about the music. My point is the same as Stumbo's....it's not the name itself, it's what stands behind it. Obviously there are names that you may have to overcome & it may be wise to not choose one of those.

artistanbul · #9 05-07-2009, 09:45 AM

^I don't know what kind of an image you have of Turkey, but I presume it would go well. for a punk band.

Chickencha · #10 05-07-2009, 09:49 AM

I think a good name can create initial interest. A band's name reveals some of its personality, and I might be more likely to try listening to a band with a name that interests me. That only works for the first time, though. After that the music's all that matters.

Ultimately, though, I don't think a band name can really hurt you too much unless it's offensive somehow. Even then it might be worth it just for the attention.

The fact is, there are a lot of well known bands out there with really lame names, but no one really thinks about them anymore because they've proven themselves.

Red Hot Chili Peppers? Dumb band name.
Metallica? Really creative. "Let's name ourselves after the genre we play and then add 'ica' on the end."
The Who? Good joke, guys. Can you imagine trying to Google this name if the band weren't famous?

I'm not knocking these bands' music. I just think their names aren't that great but they're successful in spite of it.

Stumbo · #11 05-07-2009, 05:02 PM

Pick a decade: The Delfonics, Peanut Butter Conspiracy, Vanilla Fudge, Porno for Pyros, Nickelback, and then go look at the rappers, dj's, hip-hop bands, etc. There's no end.

Shorter is usually better for band names, but if the music's great, talent will out.

xgator4u · #12 05-07-2009, 05:16 PM

Shorter is better, also it must be pronounceable as well as memorable. Otherwise you will hear " Hey I saw this really great band last night! (friend) What was their name? I don't remember " NOT GOOD.

dj150888 · #13 05-07-2009, 05:25 PM

I checked out several bands a LOT later than I would have because they had crap names. Namely bands with names that sounded metalcore. Most recently, I realised that "Gospel of the Horns" aren't as **** as their name would suggest, first heard of them about 4 years ago....first listened to them 3 weeks ago, all down to their name.

Gubna · #14 05-07-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moe Monsarrat

You're right about it not mattering too much anymore. The only time it matters is when you have to tell your grandma or a cop or cellmate: "Yeah, I play in a band called The Buck Futts...."

Haven't you ever heard of The Butthole Surfers?

and some names of bands that I've shared a stage with over the years -

Cell Block 5 (one of the guys was in jail)
Who Is John Galt?
Pimp Juice 7
Pansy Division
Apollos of the Ozarks
Fingerbang
THC
Natural Fonzie
Suit & Tie Guy
Truth About Seafood
Learned Hand (Ler-Ned Hand)
Baby Snufkin
The Willknots (as in dingleberries that will not come off)
Kung Fu Grip
Heavy Pebble
Manifest Yesturday
5th Limb
The Oozies
As Is (one of my personal favorites)
Wett (an all female band)
and
Dinosaur Salad

Knifedge · #15 05-07-2009, 09:42 PM

To me, in a cover band, the band name should be fairly easy to remember, and catchy so that it is easy to remember. It is easy for a crowd to associate a good band with a decent name, and vise versa.

Original bands may have to be a bit more picky though..

The band (cover) I am in right now... Trashed Taxi

The last original band I was in... Negative J

A few others I was in:

Sawbones (original)
The Wannabees (Cover)
Big Tilda (cover)

Arguably, dumb names.. but easy to remember if the band is very good, or very bad.

Moe Monsarrat · #16 05-08-2009, 10:00 AM

Yes Gubna, I have heard of the Butthole Surfers. It doesn't mean I wanna tell my Grandma that's the name of my band. Pardon me if I don't bother to list all the bands I've opened for.

Jared Lash · #17 05-08-2009, 10:20 AM

Band names are funny in that often so much time and effort (and arguing) goes into choosing one and it generally matters so little in terms of the band's overall success.

The truth is that in time the band name just comes to represent the music, nothing more. Arctic Monkeys is not only a really juvenile/dumb name, but it gives absolutely no clue as to the type of music the band plays. Didn't stop them from becoming a phenomenon in the UK and relatively successful in the states.

The name only matters when the person is not familiar with the band or its music. Seeing their record in a store (or online), on a flyer or a marquee and not knowing anything about them it may influence you. For instance, my guitarist and I "discovered" the Ass Ponys while digging through used CDs at our favorite record store. We listened to one of their albums just as a goof and actually ended up digging them. So the initial reaction to their name disappeared once we actually heard their music.

I will say that most of the band names I played under had no impact on our success one way or the other. But in college I did play in a ska/punk band called "Ludicrous Speed" which I'm sure did help draw people to our shows and it most definitely helped CD & merchandise sales.

peterwsmith · #18 05-08-2009, 10:33 AM

I would agree for the most part, but it has to stand out somehow to me memorable. Of all the bands where I live, I couldn't tell most of them apart because they're all 3 word hardcore sounding names.

**Thor** · #19 05-08-2009, 10:42 AM

From a marketing standpoint, crappy names are just as good
as good ones just like you remember really irritating and
annoying commercials like the good ones.

Chumbawumba comes to mind.

Jared Lash · #20 05-08-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterwsmith

I would agree for the most part, but it has to stand out somehow to me memorable. Of all the bands where I live, I couldn't tell most of them apart because they're all 3 word hardcore sounding names.

My bandmates in my dub project and I like to trade hardcore band names when we think of a good one.

Our drummer just emailed us this one:

"Lords of Hatred"

Any hardcore band that wants it is welcome to it.