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Band Names...can we discuss?

#101
Pocket Dave said:
There was a popular local showband called The Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks, formed by the late founder of ShowCo, Jack Calms.

I always liked that name - Coopers hawks, one of the 3 hawk breeds that folks lump under the Chickenhawk name, are local scourges to farmers and folks who raise chickens in their backyards.

Plus there was the whole Looney Tunes cartoon character thing.
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The problem with that is that it’s also street slang for a few sexual predator situations.
 
#102
3Liter said:
As a middle aged grump, I think the best are "Johnny and the Sidemen/Friends" type of names.
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I'd be careful with those types of names, if the others are not bought into it some members may understandably feel slighted.

I was in a just-forming and promising band where we were all equal contributors and performers, getting the sets together collaboratively, focused on the music and not the name, etc.

Then the keyboard player / guy's placed we rehearsed, suggested re-using a name he's used more than once in the past, something like "<His Name> And The <some impersonal sideman name like "Snack Attack">".

I was not a fan of this nor in the way it was suggested, as in 'let's do it this way' vs. as an honest collaboration. It also came off like he was planning to do this from the start.

If I were playing in Bill Nelson's or Steven Wilson's or Andy Partridge's band I would be fine to be hidden as a sideman, but in a forming collaborative I'd prefer something that didn't alienate the others while propping up one person. Again, unless it was a band to support a known frontperson, which I'm ok with.
 
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#108
Btbp said:
I'd be careful with those types of names, if the others are not bought into it some members may understandably feel slighted.

I was in a just-forming and promising band where we were all equal contributors and performers, getting the sets together collaboratively, focused on the music and not the name, etc.

Then the keyboard player / guy's placed we rehearsed, suggested re-using a name he's used more than once in the past, something like "<His Name> And The <some impersonal sideman name like "Snack Attack">".

I was not a fan of this nor in the way it was suggested, as in 'let's do it this way' vs. as an honest collaboration. It also came off like he was planning to do this from the start.

If I were playing in Bill Nelson's or Steven Wilson's or Andy Partridge's band I would be fine to be hidden as a sideman, but in a forming collaborative I'd prefer something that didn't alienate the others while propping up one person. Again, unless it was a band to support a known frontperson, which I'm ok with.
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You have to know your group of course. I was in the forming stages of something a couple of years ago. H was the BL/Host. He was very particular about a lot of things. Including how it sounded (which he couldn't pull off) and how everything was going to me marketed and recorded to find gigs (eye roll from me). This was a retired guy that thought building the band was going to take off like that red headed guy and the resonator and folks would love us and we'd be all booked up. Anyhow R was the drummer and a really nice and funny guy. He came up with a variety of names that were punny/clever. H didn't like any of them. While all appearances would denote this was a collaboration, it really ended up being "H and the sidemen". I bailed because I enjoyed playing better than I do with my regular group but it was boring doing the same songs to death so H could get them how he wanted them. I kept in touch with some of the guys and the sidemen ultimately quit and started their own thing (or found a different BL) and H was on the sidelines (again) not playing and seemingly bitter about it.


BUT, to be honest now and my current thinking. I'd be happy to play as a sideman in someone else's dream. Whether they were known or not. Let them make the big decisions, hustle, etc. I just don't care. All the other threads herein talk about how there's no money in this anyhow. I'm happy to remain anonymous.
 
#115
Dunno, many band names strike me like they were an ok idea at the time, as a decision for the sake of a decision, their novelty not strong enough to not wear off shortly after, more cringeworthy than inventive, resulting in a burden rather than an attraction, and when asked what the name of their band is, their eyes roll.

Unless they are Wyld Stallyns.
 

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