In the last week on this site, I've had three inquiries about my name (which I started using in 1977).
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Secret for picking a band name.
- Thread starter pLewis
- Start date
In the last week on this site, I've had three inquiries about my name (which I started using in 1977).
Doesn’t matter if the band is good. Who would have thought “The Beatles” was a good band name…..
Had a buddy in the ‘80’s who wanted to name his band-“Free Beer” because he felt it would bring folks into the venue. Had another acquaintance who named his band- “Dick Army”, and was forced to cease and desist by the eponymous conservative representative from the state of Texas, Dick Armey.
Adjective adjective noun
For example:
Tiny red cups
Giant stinky squirrels
Weird green chairs
etc
For example:
Tiny red cups
Giant stinky squirrels
Weird green chairs
etc
In the relatively innocent context of those times(and location), it was reasonably clever. What they played back then, in that time and place, was termed “beat music”, as opposed to “rock and roll”, and as they were huge fans of Buddy Holly and the Crickets, they riffed on that theme to come up with a pun/play on words.
As a longtime Dave Barry reader I'm used to seeing regular "[some phrase]...which would be a good name for a rock band" jokes in his columns. There's a partial list of some of those names on his website: Dave Barry Official Website
A name doesn't really matter at this point, just pick something and get out there and play. If you have a bad show or the club doesn't like you for whatever reason, ditch that night's name and get a new one. If it all goes good and you start getting a good rep, then you stick with that name. Decision made. (Worked for Jethro Tull...)
If you are memorable, they will remember whatever it is that you call yourself. If the house is full the club owner will remember your name. If the crowd digs the show, they will remember your name. The name means mothing until there is a reputation attached to it.
Have fun with it...
I'm kinda likin' the stripper name plus "Project" method, myself. "The Harley Tillman Project" has kind of a ring to it, doncha think?
If you are memorable, they will remember whatever it is that you call yourself. If the house is full the club owner will remember your name. If the crowd digs the show, they will remember your name. The name means mothing until there is a reputation attached to it.
Have fun with it...
I'm kinda likin' the stripper name plus "Project" method, myself. "The Harley Tillman Project" has kind of a ring to it, doncha think?
Including the name of someone not in the band seems to have met with success.
I was once in a band called Zeus and the Lesser Gods. If anyone asked. “ which one of you is Zeus?” We’d all count to three and simultaneously say, “I am!” The band is long defunct so you’re welcome to use it.
I was also in a band called Sherman and the Waybacks. Dig deep for the reference. You’re welcome.
This tells you everything you need to know:
When the band Free formed, they constantly vexed promoters because the public thought the concerts were free.
I knew sone guys in a band back in the eighties that had a name. but they changed the prefix for every gig. For instance one week it was The Flaming ******, next gig it was the Deep Fried ******, then it was the Freeze Dried ******. It kept things fresh.
I struggle with naming things too. I guess I take myself too seriously, although I really try not to.
So, first thing, don't take yourselves too seriously. This is supposed to be fun. Your band name should reflect that.
You could take the silly route. If your band has a schtick, the name could follow this. I saw where a band of older members called themselves "the embalmers". I don't know if they were morticians or just old, but they played 60's surfer music.
You could take the party route. If your band is all about good times and the party. Your name could reflect that. Something like "The Good Time Rock and Roll Band". It doesn't quite roll off the tongue, but...
Or, you could take the meaningful route. A drummer and I began informally working on a project while with another band. We did leave that other band and intended to call ourselves "sidepiece" because we were working on the side. But, before we took that name, anothe local band beat us to it. Yes, we could still call ourselves "sidepiece", but I figure that would be bad form.
Good luck.
So, first thing, don't take yourselves too seriously. This is supposed to be fun. Your band name should reflect that.
You could take the silly route. If your band has a schtick, the name could follow this. I saw where a band of older members called themselves "the embalmers". I don't know if they were morticians or just old, but they played 60's surfer music.
You could take the party route. If your band is all about good times and the party. Your name could reflect that. Something like "The Good Time Rock and Roll Band". It doesn't quite roll off the tongue, but...
Or, you could take the meaningful route. A drummer and I began informally working on a project while with another band. We did leave that other band and intended to call ourselves "sidepiece" because we were working on the side. But, before we took that name, anothe local band beat us to it. Yes, we could still call ourselves "sidepiece", but I figure that would be bad form.
Good luck.
