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"Offensive" band names

#204
David Jayne said:
It doesn't matter. Hardly anyone will read that or care. They will wear that name like a cross until something bad happens.
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Possible but doubtful. They've been around for over three years, have released a couple of albums, and have toured the US multiple times. Only now has a stink been made about their name because someone started an online petition (which had fewer than 400 signatures) which resulted in one gig being cancelled. In the process, they've gotten free publicity and exposure and have picked up new fans (and new haters). Most people don't have the energy or attention span to stay upset about something as trivial as the name of a rock band for very long.
 
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#206
I don't find their name to be racist. And as long as they put out music that's as good as their new album, I'll be a fan. With all the racial problems the US has, the name of a fairly unknown, indie, stoner rock band should not be moving the needle much in any direction.
 
#207
ChrisB2 said:
You think I'm offended by your statement? Wrong. I was just pointing out that it's messed up.

Advocating violence as an appropriate response to a band name is messed up. And justifying it on the basis of social injustice is also messed up.

That's how we end up with some of the messed up sh*t that goes on...
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I think I'm picking up on a desire to paint me as some sort of PC thug, so I will relate an anecdote about how I personally have dealt with a similar situation a few years ago:

One of my former bands was trying to book a gig in the next town over, where we had no good contacts whatsoever. Someone contacted us about a show and everything sounded good on paper, so we went with it.

A few days later, a flyer was posted on my Facebook, advertising us as the opening act at Domestic Violence Fest, complete with a photo of a woman with two black eyes. At the time, I was sitting on the board of a non-profit organization that provided services to battered women, so this was obviously a problem on a multitude of levels.

I called a meeting with the band that night and there was much debate. One of the younger, stupider guys just thought it was a joke that should be laughed off, but the other guys knew it was sh!tty, and they didn't know how to handle it. I cannot tell you how humiliating it was for me to be associated with this event. My immediate decision was to disavow ourselves of the show entirely, but by the end of the night, we had come up with a better solution.

We played the show, opening up with a song and then reading a manifesto to the crowd, detailing the sorry state of society with regards to domestic violence in our community. There were a few dudes heckling us at first, but by the time we read the statistic of women who had been murdered by their husbands/boyfriends that year in North Carolina (73, by October), there was not much for them to jeer about. We told everybody that the show was now a benefit for victims of domestic violence and after we finished up, I went up to the dick head singer of the headlining act and told him that I wanted all of the money from the door and he GAVE IT TO ME. I donated it in the bands name to the organization that I was aligned with.
 
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#210
Offensive names for bands is just static.
What about the real offensive lyrics?
The offensive stories put to verse/chorus?
A lot of stuff you hear stopping at a red light next to
a car blasting some real foul language while your kids are
in the car is not cool.
I guess it all boils down to "shock" sells.
Me... I still have a little respect for music and don't
find stuff like "Coal Chamber or Butthole Surfers and dozens of other bands
with "I'll shock yur ass with the name of our band even tho we can't play music"
entertaining.
Music doesn't have to be rude. I mean... come on... Pussy Riot?
 
#213
From the Black Pussy Facebook page. I guess 400 signatures on a petition only gets you so much.
Raleigh! We’re excited that we get to finally play the “City of Oaks” on 03/26. Our show has been moved to Slim’s Downtown. All ticket holders for the cancelled show from 03/25 will be allowed free entry…Let’s dance!
 
#216
mstillman said:
Funny you mentioned the Flock... I caught part of their gig last week. They're a great band.

Several years ago they advertised. I thought about an audition, but balked because my boys were little (I'm not saying I would've been offered). It would've made for a weird conversation when asked, "Daddy, what's the name of your band?"
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What am I missing is being offensive here? Isn't that a word they teach kids by the 4th grade?

Edit: surprised there's not already a Christian band named this
 
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#217
--- Edited to remove an EP cover, from a band called the NUNF**KERS ---


I wasn't trying to be offensive or even funny, just adding to the thread with another band name that would likely be deemed offensive. These guys were from my hometown and I saw them play twice, IIRC. Typical three chord thrash punk.
 
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#219
MarkoYYZ said:
--- Edited to remove an EP cover, from a band called the NUNF**KERS ---


I wasn't trying to be offensive or even funny, just adding to the thread with another band name that would likely be deemed offensive. These guys were from my hometown and I saw them play twice, IIRC. Typical three chord thrash punk.
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My buddy and I used to spend hours at Crazy Eddie's buying records like that. We were the punks in our school. Good times.
 

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