# Band names: a taxonomic progression.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [April 6, 2004, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469 "2004-04-06T01:14:46Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/1 "2004-04-06T01:14:46Z")
Every time I go music shopping, I’m struck by all the bands named for plants and animals. And the quirkier ones leave me wondering, “what species are still left, free for the taking?” So, listing all the band names recalling flora or fauna, in a [very!] crude taxonomic scheme is something I’ve actually been wanting to do for awhile. Fellow pop music naturalists who can contribute specimens or fossils are most welcome! NB: You get a lot of leeway with bands regarding mispellings and phrases…
Flora:
Downy **Mildew**
The Magic **Mushrooms**
The Seeds
Leaves
The Leaves
The Screaming Trees
63 Trees
**Pansy** Division
The **Posies**
Madder **Rose**
The **Lilac** Time
Lilys
Black Eyed Peas
The Electric **Prunes**
**Strawberry** Alarm Clock
**Strawberry** Switchblade
Wild **Cherry**
Blind **Melon**
Smashing **Pumpkins**
The Mighty **Lemon** Drops
The **Lemon** heads
Olive
The Cranberries
**Apples** In Stereo
**Banana** rama
Fauna (The **Animals** ):
The Lower Invertebrates (hey, a band name right there!), marine division:
The Coral
Blue **Oyster** Cult
Jellyfish
Marine Vertebrates:
Seahorse
Eels
Babel Fish
Hootie & the **Blowfish**
Hot **Tuna**
Great White
Insects & other lower invertebrates, land division:
The Nightcrawlers
The Beatles
Adam and the **Ants**
The Bees; also, Voice of the Beehive
Dinosaurs:
Dinosaur Jr.
T-Rex
Reptiles:
The Chameleons
Tortoise
The Turtles
Snake River Conspiracy
The Detroit **Cobras**
Amphibians:
**Toad** the Wet Sprocket
Avians:
The Byrds
Blackbird
Cock **Robin**
The **Housemartins**
Counting **Crows**
A Flock of **Seagulls**
**Seagulls** Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her
The Wild **Swans**
**Hawk** wind
The **Eagles**
Mammals:
Rodentia & similar –
Mouse
Modest Mouse
**Squirrel** Nut Zippers
The Judy **bats**
Echo & the **Bunny** men
**Possum** Dixon
Ungulates & similar –
Lamb
Ram Jam
The High **Llamas**
Grant Lee **Buffalo**
Buffalo Tom
Babe the Blue **Ox**
Stealing **Horses**
The Golden **Palominos**
The Hippos
Felines –
The Stray Cats
Richard & The Young **Lions**
Canines –
that dog.
Pugs
The Laughing **Dogs**
The Fabulous **Poodles**
Poi Dog Pondering
Bloodhound Gang
Los Lobos
Ursine –
The Bears
Primates, lower & higher –
The Blow **Monkeys**
The Human Beinz
The Human League
* * *
Whew! Now, what’s interesting and still left for the taking (as far as I know)?
The Naked Mole Rats
The Giant Hissing Madagascar Cockroaches
The Lemurs
The Hamsters
The Lemmings
Flounder
Daddy Long-legs
The Dik-Diks
The Sloths
The Hermit Crabs
The Lampreys
The Skunks (“I caught ‘The Skunks’ in a dive… and they stunk up the place!”)
The Army Ants
The Dung Beetles
The Hammerheads
Nutria
…?
---
### Author:  [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/2 "2004-04-06T01:37:28Z")
Oo! Fun!
Off the top of my head:
White Lion
Whitesnake
Guns’n’Roses
Stone Roses
Black Crowes
---
### Author:  [@Splanky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Splanky)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/3 "2004-04-06T01:38:36Z")
You forgot the Crickets!
and Phish.
---
### Author:  [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/4 "2004-04-06T01:53:49Z")
Is there a place for **Super Furry Animals**?
---
### Author:  [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/5 "2004-04-06T01:55:51Z")
Yes, we have room for all critters! This thread is a veritable “Morning Zoo,” so fire away!
---
### Author:  [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/6 "2004-04-06T01:59:54Z")
A trip to my CD shelf yielded the following additional bands:
Fishbone
Rusted Root
Manowar
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Buckwheat Zydeco
Sponge
Salt & Pepa (?)
And what about the Indigo Girls? And Josie and the Pussycats? 🙂
---
### Author:  [@gooti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gooti)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/7 "2004-04-06T02:10:59Z")
I also raided our CDs for these:
16 Horsepower
Babe the Blue Ox
Eva Trout
The Buck Pets
Gorillaz
Frog Pond
Hepcat
Jesus Lizard
Mule (not to be confused with Gov’t Mule)
Afghan Whigs (as in the dog)
and, if fictional animals apply:
Mogwai
---
### Author:  [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/8 "2004-04-06T02:45:19Z")
Is this only for the verifiable?
Surely there are some who have no problems believing in Pixies.
---
### Author:  [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/9 "2004-04-06T03:11:30Z")
Avians:
The Byrds
Blackbird
Cock **Robin**
The **Housemartins**
Counting **Crows**
A Flock of **Seagulls**
**Seagulls** Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her
The Wild **Swans**
**Hawk** wind
The **Eagles**
Black Crowes (added by **Green Bean** )
New:
The Flamingos
The Penguins
The Orioles
The Skylarks
Mammals:
Rodentia & similar –
Mouse
Modest Mouse
**Squirrel** Nut Zippers
The Judy **bats**
Echo & the **Bunny** men
**Possum** Dixon
New: Ratt
Ungulates & similar –
Lamb
Ram Jam
The High **Llamas**
Grant Lee **Buffalo**
Buffalo Tom
Babe the Blue **Ox**
Stealing **Horses**
The Golden **Palominos**
The Hippos
Added: Mule, Gov’t Mule
New: Buffalo Springfield
Felines –
The Stray Cats
Richard & The Young **Lions**
Added: Hepcat, White Lion
New: Cat Stevens
---
### Author:  [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/10 "2004-04-06T03:18:34Z")
How could we have forgotten Snoop Dogg?
---
### Author:  [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/11 "2004-04-06T03:46:06Z")
Lessee… The Yardbirds (slang for chicken?) is the only one I can think of offhand.
But [Screaming Hairy Armadillo](http://www.msu.edu/~nixonjos/armadillo/chaetophractus.html) , [Vampire Squid](http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/VSquid.html) and [Paradoxical Frog](http://www.panteek.com/Shaw_Nodder/sn351.htm) would all make fine band names.
---
### Author:  [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2004, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/12 "2004-04-08T23:03:35Z")
Avians:
The Jayhawks
Doves
Two Loons for Tea
and I’m not sure this counts, but: Sheryl Crow
Ungulates:
Sparklehorse
Snowpony
Felines:
Cat Power
Los Tigres del Norte
Flora:
Supergrass
---
### Author:  [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2004, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/13 "2004-04-08T23:32:21Z")
From my shelf (that has not been duplicated already)
**Invertebrates:**
The Arrogant Worms
Yellowjackets (mmmm, jazz)
**Vertebrates, Canine** :
Three Dog Night
---
### Author:  [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/14 "2004-04-08T23:36:32Z")
To be fair, **Pansy Division** isn’t exactly named after a flower, if you know what I’m sayin’.
But I’ll join in, though!
**Iris**
**Skinny Puppy**
---
### Author:  [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2004, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/15 "2004-04-08T23:44:02Z")
Ones I haven’t seen on the list:
The **Squirrel** Nut Zippers
The Arrogant **Worms** [OK, On preview I’ve been beaten to them, but I like them, but I’ll leave them there. :p~.]
The **Bloodhound** Gang
Corky and the Juice **Pigs**
Seal
Gorillaz
**Zebra** head
---
### Author:  [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2004, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/16 "2004-04-08T23:44:38Z")
I’m not surprised that this is not remembered, but in in 1977 there was a hit single called ‘Don’t Fall In Love’ by:
The Ferrets
Hope this helps.
🆒
---
### Author:  [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2004, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/17 "2004-04-08T23:47:20Z")
Oh dear.
The Grassroots.
And The Monkees?
---
### Author:  [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)
#### Post date: [April 9, 2004, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/18 "2004-04-09T00:16:36Z")
Unsorted list from my collection:
Black Cat Music
Cows
Eagles of Death Metal
Finch
Hot Snakes
The Mexican Blackbirds
Modey Lemon
Operation Ivy
Orange Peels
Oranges Band
Owls
Red Monkey
Sharks Keep Moving
Soiled Doves
Swans
Tiger Army
The Vines
The Wrens
---
### Author:  [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)
#### Post date: [April 9, 2004, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/19 "2004-04-09T03:01:07Z")
Here’s the list so far:
Flora:
Downy Mildew
The Magic Mushrooms
Rusted Root
The Seeds
Prefab Sprout
The Grass Roots
Supergrass
Leaves
The Leaves
The Vines
Operation Ivy
The Screaming Trees
63 Trees
Black Oak Arkansas
Buckwheat Zydeco
Indigo Girls
Iris
Pansy Division
The Posies
Guns 'n Roses
Madder Rose
Stone Roses
The Lilac Time
Lilys
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Salt & Pepa
Black Eyed Peas
The Electric Prunes
The Raspberries
The Strawbs
Strawberry Alarm Clock
Strawberry Switchblade
Wild Cherry
Blind Melon
Smashing Pumpkins
The Mighty Lemon Drops
The Lemonheads
Modey Lemon
The Lemon Pipers
Orange Peels
Oranges Band
Olive
The Cranberries
Apples In Stereo
The Silver Apples
Bananarama
Fauna (The Animals):
The Lower Invertebrates (hey, a band name right there!), marine division:
The Coral
Sponge
Blue Oyster Cult
Jellyfish
Manowar
Marine Vertebrates:
Seahorse
Eels
Phish
Fishbone
Babel Fish
Hootie & the Blowfish
Eva Trout
Hot Tuna
Sharks Keep Moving
Great White
Insects & other lower invertebrates, land division:
The Arrogant Worms
The Nightcrawlers
The Beatles
Adam and the Ants
The Crickets
The Bees
The Honeybees
Voice of the Beehive
Yellowjackets
Dinosaurs:
Dinosaur Jr.
T-Rex
Reptiles:
The Chameleons
Jesus Lizard
Tortoise
The Turtles
The Mock Turtles
Snake River Conspiracy
Hot Snakes
The Detroit Cobras
Whitesnake
Amphibians:
Frog Pond
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Avians:
The Byrds
Blackbird
The Mexican Blackbirds
Cock Robin
Doves
Soiled Doves
The Housemartins
The Orioles
Black Crows
Counting Crows
Finch
The Skylarks
The Wrens
Owls
The Partridge Family
The Yardbirds
A Flock of Seagulls
Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her
The Penguins
Two Loons for Tea
Swans
The Wild Swans
The Flamingos
Hawkwind
The Jayhawks
The Eagles
Eagles of Death Metal
Mammals: (Super Furry Animals; The Buck Pets)
Rodentia & similar –
Mouse
Modest Mouse
Ratt
Squirrel Nut Zippers
The Judybats
Echo & the Bunnymen
The Ferrets
Possum Dixon
Ungulates & similar –
Lamb
Ram Jam
Mule
Gov’t Mule
The High Llamas
Cows
Grant Lee Buffalo
Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Tom
Corky & the Juice Pigs
Spacehog
Babe the Blue Ox
16 Horsepower
Snowpony
Sparklehorse
Stealing Horses
The Golden Palominos
Zebrahead
The Hippos
Felines –
Cat Power
Cat Stevens
Black Cat Music
Hepcat
Josie and the Pussycats
The Stray Cats
Richard & The Young Lions
White Lion
Los Tigres del Norte
Tiger Army
Canines –
Skinny Puppy
Afghan Whigs
The Cavedogs
Snoop Dogg
that dog.
Three Dog Night
Pugs
The Laughing Dogs
The Fabulous Poodles
Poi Dog Pondering
Bloodhound Gang
Los Lobos
Howlin’ Wolf
Ursine –
The Bears
Marine Mammals (Cetaceans & similar) –
Seal
Primates, lower & higher –
The Monkees
The Blow Monkeys
Red Monkey
Gorillaz
The Human Beinz
The Human League
---
### Author:  [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)
#### Post date: [April 9, 2004, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-a-taxonomic-progression/238469/20 "2004-04-09T04:55:58Z")
Add **Le Tigre** to the list of felines.
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