Why is it so hard to come up with a name for a new band?

[themacinator]

We've been jamming now for around 2.5 months. Tossed out name after name. At least one of the five have shot down all the suggestions.

[Radical Edward]

Originally Posted by themacinator

We've been jamming now for around 2.5 months. Tossed out name after name. At least one of the five have shot down all the suggestions.

My take: Pick something that you find "acceptable" for the time being. It doesn't have to be perfect, so long as it's unique. You might end up liking it more as time goes on. It's not about the name, but about how it represents yourselves.
My 2cents on this..

[paganjack]

One of the bands I was in rejected approximately 200 band names before we found one that all five of us liked. Finding an original name that isn't stupid is really hard.

[dan_doh]

Just pick a name that nobody hates. It will grow on you as time goes on.

[iri5h_punk21]

Yeahhhh my band took about a year and a half to settle on a name. It'll come on it's own time don't worry

[duff beer]

"Sonic Feces"

[s_mcsleazy]

ive got you all beat on the band name frount. me and my jamming buddy havent had a name in 4 years

[Zeb Norris]

One reason it's hard is that so many names have already been used, and the previous users of the name could well sue.

I have a friend who had a big novelty hit in the U.K. and Europe using the band name "The Firm". So when Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers put their "The Firm" together, my friend got a nice check from them.

[jgroh]

Its hard because there are so many bands and few original names to be had. So you usually have to introduce more words into it or twists on words and thats where it gets awful.

[Nev375]

Get 2 hats and give all your band mates dozens of strips of paper all the same size.

Have your bandmates write on each one an adjective or a noun and drop it into the appropriate hat. Then have someone pull out a random adjective then noun and there ya go. Instant band name.

Hey it worked for Pearl Jam, Modest Mouse, Daft Punk, Pink Floyd, Cheap Trick, Deaf Leopard, Lead Zepplin.

Ok, fine, thats not how they named their bands. But... they could have!

[billoetjen]

I suggest that the interwebs, which have given us a piece of perfection called TalkBass, have also shot the band name thing through the heart. Here's the scenario:

1) Come up with a good name
2) Google it.
3) Say "Damn it."
4) Repeat steps 1 - 3.

Used to be local or regional bands didn't have to worry about another locality or region.

[Mo'Phat]

Add a number to the end of whatever word you pick...voila, original.

Blink...182
Matchbox...20
Maroon...5
Finger...11


I'll play:

Astronaut...4
Pickle...2
Clock...24
Telephone...99


Simple. It's about 99% irrelevant what you name your band, and whether or not you like it. The only keys you need to consider are: Is there a Facebook profile available? Does it show up already on the band name registry? Can it be said on the radio/to grandparents/to your friends without having to censor it? When you Google it, what are the top hits, and can you crack the front page?

I always cite The Butthole Surfers when people complain about band names.

[Sam Hain]

Liquor & Poker, say it 3 times....it's all yours!

[Burlington]

Tell me about it

[mcm]

all the good names are taken

[80'sRocker]

I have a rather large list of band names but no band!

[Edward G.]

Because it is a huge challenge to be original AND meaningful AND clever in so few words. Then comes the political obstacle of getting the band and the rest of the world to accept. Pretty long odds on all of it. I think most modern band names are ridiculous and often work against the band.

[MNAirHead]

Really isn't

Make a list of words that you stand for..

Go onto ebay... then search Web domains for sale...

I can't stress how important a good web domain is.. "BlueGroove.com" is much more powerful than "HitMatrix.BlueGroove_The-BandToledo_Rox.com"

I'd also avoid any non traditional spellings.. "Hitz" is ghetto and is another barrier to your customer base.

====
It does take time to come up with good marketing --- it is one of the cornerstones between a good band without following and an average one with a fanbase.

[essentre]

I'd like to think I come up with some pretty cool and unique band names. Unfortunately the guys I currently play with don't think so. We have very different tastes when it comes to band names so I just settled on something I thought was decent that they liked. The reality of it is I don't care, I've learned to accept it

On the other hand I've played with guys who really didn't care as long as the name wasn't awful. I guess it depends on the other dudes in the band.

[HeadyVan Halen]

Your Name. Add Band after it.



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