What are your thoughts on reviving an old band in a different format?

If it's a new band give it a new name. You don't want to be weighed down by the expectations of the old band.

I remember your initial drama with wanting to stay improv but others wanted to write songs. Which format are you going for this time around?

 

Living in the past is a definite con. Without all the original or classic members, it would be a re-name for me.

 

I would recommend a new name.

Yes I know (do I ever) that coming up with a name is the worst part of starting a band but I think you will do better to dump the baggage (good and bad) that came with your prior name. Now, in your promo materials or whatever if you want to say, "featuring former members of Ugly Ape" then by all means do it, but on its face I think you need to market yourselves as a new entity... ESPECIALLY if a style/format change is part of the deal.

It will also help the guitarist feel like he/she's more of an equal partner in this thing rather than just an add-on to you and the drummer. Let him/her get involved in the naming process and they will very likely take more ownership in making the project a success.

 

six of one, half dozen of the other i say.

if you had anything of a following or leftover merch, then def bring back the name.

 

There's a band in my area where over the past 10 years the two core members have actually "re-invented" their band (format and personnel) not once, but twice... they went with a completely new name each time and it seemed to always work out for them.

 

New band name: Ape Ugly

 

Nothing wrong with keeping the old name, there's a sense of majic that a name will inspire and you need that 'spark' sometimes.
That said better google it to make sure someone else hasn't snapped it up. All the good names are gone these days...

 

Maybe you could type Ugly Ape into one of those online anagram makers and see what comes out.

 

New name.... You're creating a new "product" so it needs a new title.

You may want to hold off of the naming thing until you find "the one" guitarist guy/gal as they may have some good ideas for the name and it would give them a sense of being part of the band as opposed to being merely an after thought.

Additionally, using the old name keeps you kinda in the past and whatever past thoughts, ideas, and feelings you had then can dilute your current endeavour. If you had any negative vibes from the old band, they may creep their way back into this one. By seperating completely from the old era, it frees you from limitations imposed by an old ideal that no longer applies to you.

Short form:
1) New band new name.
2) Reusing the old name automatically brings limitations to the new project.

Quit living in the past (too late to do anything about "back there") and just enjoy the new adventure.

How's that for internet pop psych? He he.

 

I think you could come up with a better name than "ugly ape".

 

It seems to me like the main reason you want to use the name is that you then won't have to think up a new one. I can understand using the old name if your old band had a good following and you were planning on playing the old material that that following was familiar with. Otherwise, I'd just start fresh and come up with a new name. If you do decide to go with the old name I'd definitely ask for permission from your old bandmates (unless you were the band leader back in the day).

 

Then if your OK with it best proceed with all haste and lock down the .com. That way even it it takes a bit you've got it when you need it.

 

You could always call the new band "Another Ugly Ape".

 

Misshapen Monkey........