• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Changing stage name; Y/N?

twinjet

twinjet

Moderator
Staff member
Gold Supporting Member
Sep 23, 2008
8,392
16,202
49
www.talkbass.com
#1
I have been playing music As a duo with a gal who has been killing it on the music scene for the past six years. She's developed a great reputation as a singer and has done some stellar gigs (mayor's ball, corporate, etc). During this entire time, she'd perform under her real name.

Last year we added a third member, and the group continued to expand into a larger ensemble of musicians that would work in rotation based on availability.

This warranted a slight name change, though not significant as it was just "First Lastname Project".

A month ago, she texted all of us asking for opinions on a new, completely different name; Badfish Ruca.

I suggested changing nothing, that after six years and a strong local following, a name change would leave people clueless. No one would know this "new" act. Barhoppers wouldn't see the name and associate the performer with the name.

It keeps coming up, and I keep saying the same; it's your choice, but I don't think it's a good idea.

Any opinions?
 
  • Like
Reactions: LowActionHero, fhm555 and Machiavelli
#2
It would give you an excuse for a big promotional blitz: "Badfish Ruca - formerly Fill In Blank"
My first question on name change would be "Why?" -- 'cause I'm at a loss to explain it, unless 'First Lastname' is looking at moving into a big solo project...
Sounds like a bad idea to me - but maybe there's a compelling reason.
Maybe, despite the following, she's pissed off somebody and is hoping to disguise the fact that she's working under a different name.

Reminds me of "Jethro Tull" who early on found it impossible to get booked back into venues, and just kept changing their name every time they re-approached a venue. Jethro Tull was the name they used when they finally got booked back, so it stuck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr_Moo, 0 Hz, Aqualung60 and 4 others
#3
ArtechnikA said:
Maybe, despite the following, she's pissed off somebody and is hoping to disguise the fact that she's working under a different name.
Click to expand...
Apparently there is another person that shares her uncommon name and doesn't want any kind of confusion. I don't know...

As for the solo thing, her name was her solo project name. So, yeah, a bit mystified here.
 
#6
"Bad Fish" is terrible branding. And that's what the band will be called. The first term matters the most.

"Ruca" means old maid in Spanish, I guess referring to old maids living alone in huts. But another meaning is "true love". Most people who don't know any Spanish won't know either meaning, it will be a meaningless term so that's essentially neutral. But even in Spanish, it would literally be Bad Fish Old Maid.

If she's not Spanish, a small vocal % of people who seek outrage will call it cultural appropriation.

But all that aside, the most important thing is to talk her out of "Bad Fish". :vomit:


Rebranding isn't necessarily bad. I can see how the name suggestion has a flow and ring to it, as well as a whimsy. But I recommend thinking it through some more. Because artist/songwriter types often think in metaphor and double-meaning as a default. Most people, 80% , do not. They'll just see "Bad Fish" , and make jokes at her expense, constantly, endlessly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr_Moo, Watchootognbout, The_Meatwagon and 1 other person
#8
she doesn't want her name being used for the band..it is no longer what it was when yall started..and frankly the name change may be confusing at first but then after a couple of months of gigging, no one will even remember the original name...I think you have to respect her choice to not use her personal name anymore...or kick her out..then you have no band and no name...
 
#11
Beej said:
A quick google of "Badfish Ruca" brings up several reasons why not to choose that name. The primary one being the band "Badfish" performing "Waiting for my Ruca". :D
Click to expand...

"Badfish" and "Waiting For My Ruca" are both popular songs by a famous 90's band called Sublime. If you changed your name to Badfish Ruca, it may seem like you're a Sublime tribute band and give those aware of the originals the wrong impression (safe to assume that the quoted post refers to a tribute too). I say stick with the old name.:thumbsup:

Maybe your singer is a Sublime fan!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Waltsdog, dirtychinchilla, petch and 11 others
#13
bearfoot said:
"Ruca" means old maid in Spanish, I guess referring to old maids living alone in huts. But another meaning is "true love". Most people who don't know any Spanish won't know either meaning, it will be a meaningless term so that's essentially neutral.
Click to expand...

FYI: It's a very rude and vulgar way to refer to your significant other. I'm a native Spanish speaker btw.

Keep the name.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eJake, Beej, petch and 6 others
#14
You/she has a following under that name. I can't see anything coming from it other than loss of recognition. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

FWIW, the name she selected doesn't seem to fit anything.

FWIW, for about 5 years I played with a band,called Blue Collar Project. There was another band in same same geographic area. Not a problem, since we were playing different music.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nevada Pete
#15
I had an event band that was getting some high dollar contract work during the holiday, wedding and festival seasons. A smaller version of that band wanted to work in the off-season to keep and in practice and hang out with friends and fans. We were afraid we'd de-value the brand that we'd built up by playing for considerably less many and in dive bars, so we renamed that configuration and performed under the new name. Anybody that was even partially paying attention knew they were basically the same band, especially when the rest of the band showed up and sat in. A big differentiator between the two has more to do with production size, as a lot less was required for sound, lighting and add-ons for a small bar than a corporate destination event.
 
#16
  • Firstname Lastname and the Badfish Ruca
  • Firstname Lastname and Badfish Ruca
  • Firstname Lastname with Badfish Ruca
  • Firstname Lastname and/with/and the ______
  • Badfish Ruca presents Firstname Lastname
  • Badfish Ruca featuring Firstname Lastname
  • ...etc...
 
#17
Personally I think staying with the original billing. It will continue pushing any momentum that already exists.

Secondary, I think the name sucks. I wouldn’t see that in an entertainment paper and say this sounds like a great band let’s go see them.

I’ve seen many examples when a successful business or restaurant has sold and 1st thing new owners do is change the name. 2nd thing they do is go out of business.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eJake, Nevada Pete and twinjet

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back