Changing stage name; Y/N?

[DavC]

could make all happy =

FirstName LastName & Badfish Ruca as in ' still Her ' ... and 'the band' - Badfish

she gets whatever out of Bad Ru , and her name still draws ..!?

 

[Cliff Colton]

Loco Basura is Spanish. Can you use that? Loco Basura and the Badfish???

 

[juggahnaught]

I feel it necessary to point out that there are two questions/issues here:

1. Should the band perform a name change?
2. Should the band use the suggested name?

The first question - which is the important issue - has been obscured by the second issue (which is the one that is easy to solve, but really unrelated to the first issue). It seems as though the OP (and the subsequent posters) have decided to focus on the easier question to digest, while ignoring the main issue. It's probably good for all subsequent posts to either a) focus on the core question or b) provide input on both questions.

 

[twinjet]

I feel it necessary to point out that there are two questions/issues here:

1. Should the band perform a name change?
2. Should the band use the suggested name?

The first question - which is the important issue - has been obscured by the second issue (which is the one that is easy to solve, but really unrelated to the first issue). It seems as though the OP (and the subsequent posters) have decided to focus on the easier question to digest, while ignoring the main issue. It's probably good for all subsequent posts to either a) focus on the core question or b) provide input on both questions.

It is my opinion that there is no need to change things. It's a question I can't answer because I don't know my musical partner's mind well enough to know the real reason behind the proposed changed. The sharing a name with a non-performing individual doesn't sit right with me, but the fact remains; it's not my choice. Our input is considered, but ultimately, not the final decision.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

If her actual name is what is already known and getting the gigs, I agree that it would be foolish to change it. But if she's enamored of the name "Badfish Ruca," maybe she could rename the band as something like "First Lastname and the Badfish Ruca Band" or "...Badfish Ruca Project" or something like that.

This. If she's hell-bent on making the change do it in stages so it doesn't throw off the following. Once 'BFR' is established you can drop the name with minimal impact.

Personally, I think changing the name once you're known is a bad call, though.

 

[Tekkers]

“Badfish Ruca” is amongst the worst band names I’ve ever heard, for what that’s worth.

If you’re going to change it to anything, at least change it to something that isn’t that.

 

[lbbc]

I am in an acoustic/electric trio named Double Nickels (bass, guitar & female singer). There are establishments in our area that only book "full" bands. We added another guitarist and a drummer and thought it would be best if we had a different name. So, we agreed on Social Network.

The change confused our audience and the venues. We actually didn't get many more gigs with the new lineup (and new name). So, the trio is still "Double Nickels" and the "full" band is called "The Double Nickels Band". People, and venues, know what they are getting!

My advice is to stay with the original name and add a tag...like the ______ band. Worked for us.

 

[tpaul]

how about "Ruca smells like BadFish"

I can see that she might want to dis-associate the 'group' session from her 'solo' sessions.

why not call it "Cupcake and the sprinkles"

my opinion: No.

I kind of like "Cupcake and the sprinkles."

I bet you'd get a lot of calls for kids parties.

 

[p12bassnut]

Badfish ?
Yuck - Reminds me of improperly cooked tilapia

 

[hrodbert696]

"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.

Maybe your singer is a Sublime fan!

My first thought is that it sounds like a Sublime tribute band as well, which ought to kill it right there. Unless you ARE a Sublime tribute band.

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.

Aaand also a reason not to go with it.

I feel it necessary to point out that there are two questions/issues here:

1. Should the band perform a name change?
2. Should the band use the suggested name?

The first question - which is the important issue - has been obscured by the second issue (which is the one that is easy to solve, but really unrelated to the first issue). It seems as though the OP (and the subsequent posters) have decided to focus on the easier question to digest, while ignoring the main issue. It's probably good for all subsequent posts to either a) focus on the core question or b) provide input on both questions.

Good point. I guess that I haven't heard any reason why there's a problem with keeping "Firstname Lastname Band" so far, and if she has a following, then stick with what's been working. If there's another artist in your market with a similar name, that might be a reason. Maybe a compromise would be to try "Firstname Lastname and the _____" (as long as "_____" is NOT "Badfish Ruca"). If people start to call the act by the "____" then that can gradually become more prominent in the marketing, but you don't lose the draw of the artist's name.

 

[Oddly]

Seems like she's got her mind made up to change, so there is little point discussing that.
I would agree with everyone that her choice of a new named is terrible. Maybe show her this thread.

 

[51PRI]

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?

In my opinion it's not just not good idea it's a bad idea. If I was in the band I would vote against a name change.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Fire the drummer!.....

 

[pcake]

never change the name of something with recognition, and never change a band name to something rude or crude unless you're a punk band or it makes sense. in this case, it doesn't seem to.

 

[nickpc]

• 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...

Why not let the rest of the band name itself rather than go with the (seemingly unpopular) suggested "Badfish Ruca"? That way they can also have their own following, with a name they want to perform under.

 

[micguy]

If the impetus for the change is someone else with the same name, have her stick her middle name in there.

John Mellencamp didn't like the fact that his manager named him "Johnny Cougar", but when he decided to reclaim his name, he said people would hang up on him if he called and said "Hi, I'm John Mellencamp". So.....he became "John Cougar" for a while, then "John Cougar Mellencamp" for a few years, and then (when everyone was used to Mellencamp) eventually dropped the "Cougar". Point is, incremental change can help keep your audience - wholesale change, and they won't know it's you.

 

[oldrocker]

...

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?

If its hers choice, and she wants to change the name why does it keep coming up. Would think if it were really her choice the name would have changed already.

 

[Matt R.]

Go with the name change. The whole “being named after a person” project thing sucks and is played out. I’m in a band that’s going through this. We are about to change to an actual band name. We are all stoked about it, including the guy it’s currently named after.

 

[arbitrary]

are you in a sublime coverband? if not then not badfish ruca.

edit: I posted this after reading the first post only. my point still stands.

 

[mrcbass]

I would be inclined to include the LS name in the new name. "New Name featuring LS" or "LS and New Name" (etc) - at least to start. It would be a shame to lose the brand recognition.