New Band (Naming the Band)

[Mike151]

I recently hooked up with a very good guitar player/singer and we finally picked our drummer after several auditions. We are now a complete 3 piece project and we all seem to get along really well.
Yesterday, it was suggested that we use our last names instead of a conventional band name. Now my first response was kind of a head tilt on my part (you know like when you make a funny sound to your dog). I've never even been approached with an option of putting my name on the marqee as I'm "just the bass player" haha... I've never been one to "want for" much. I just like to play and perform.
I think it's kind of cool though and am considering this as this is a 3 piece project.
I know for sure we are going to use the guitar players name + our name whatever it may be. Kind of like John Doe and the Doorknobs. <--that would be horrible... haha..
Anyway, I just wanted to get some input from other bass players on how you would feel about this decision. Help me decide whether this is a ME thing or would actually be pretty cool.

Thanks!

[Mike151]

No hits on this one?

[scottbass]

Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Souther-Hillman-Furay Band

are two examples that come to mind.

Just my preference, but I would prefer just one name instead of three. I also would prefer "The John Doe Band" over "John Doe and the Doorknobs."

Are you going to be playing venues where they put your name on the sign/marque using individual letters? If so, a three-surname band would be kinda long, unless you are something like Ko, Io and Tu.

[Mike151]

Originally Posted by scottbass

Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Souther-Hillman-Furay Band

are two examples that come to mind.

Just my preference, but I would prefer just one name instead of three. I also would prefer "The John Doe Band" over "John Doe and the Doorknobs."

Are you going to be playing venues where they put your name on the sign/marque using individual letters? If so, a three-surname band would be kinda long, unless you are something like Ko, Io and Tu.

Yeah, I was thinking "the john doe band" myself over having surnames. My last name is XXXXXXXXX Kind of long.
All of us would be XXXX-XXXXXXXXX-XXXX
eh.. doesn't look that long with the hyphens in there.
I've never had my name in lights and I think that would kind of be cool at least once before I croak.
The problem I see is that the lead of the band has a nickname "Nickname Doe"
So that makes it even longer.....
I know that the music is what matters but I still like playing around with names anyway. Kind of fun.

[TheVoiceless]

If you are a prog band where each player solo's then it could work. But the way I see it is that by doing that you are saying, Hey we are 3 great players coming together for this one project then moving on. If you guys do fill ins with other bands then it could work. But if you want to be viewed as a group and not a project then pick a band name.

[DudeistMonk]

Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Souther-Hillman-Furay Band

Can't forget Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

IMO the name thing makes your band sound really professional since your putting your names on the line, like you guys are gonna be busting out 3 part harmonies or just writing really clean well composed songs with deep lyrics...If you can live up to that expectation I say do it, otherwise I'd go with something else.

[Mike151]

Originally Posted by TheVoiceless

If you are a prog band where each player solo's then it could work. But the way I see it is that by doing that you are saying, Hey we are 3 great players coming together for this one project then moving on. If you guys do fill ins with other bands then it could work. But if you want to be viewed as a group and not a project then pick a band name.

Very good point. The other 2 are in other bands but this is my only gig at this point. We are primarily wanting to do this project in multi band events where we only play 1 set.
The 3 great players comment makes me think because I have always been one to believe in modesty and I don't want to come across as thinking we are so good that we have to use our names. I like for the people watching to decide whether or not they like us. (leaving ego at home)

[baalroo]

What are the last names? If it rolls off the tongue well, then using the last names would be cool. However, you seem paranoid to even put the possible name on TB.

[J. Crawford]

Medeski, Martin, and Wood.

I say go for it. Unless you guys are going pro you could aslways change it if its not your thing.

[waynobass]

How about first names:

Peter, Paul, and Mary
Peter Bjorn and John
John, Paul, George, and Ringo

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by Mike151

. . . John Doe and the Doorknobs. <--that would be horrible... haha..

How about "John Doe and the Doeknobs"?

Just kidding, I agree it depends on how the names roll, also whether you're comfortable with it or not. No one else is going to think anything about it, but if it makes you uncomfortable you probably shouldn't do it.

[Phalex]

Jef Leppard.

[Lobster11]

How 'bout an abbreviation or acronym based on initials, like "MMW" or "CSNY"? Maybe extra cool if it produced a pronounceable acronym or something amusing.

I was in a duo briefly that we called "The KGB": My last name starts with K, his with G, and of course B is for "Band."