I’ve often said one of the toughest things about being in a band is choosing a name. The internet isn’t making it any easier in one respect - it is far easier to find other bands that have similar names.
We’ve been brainstorming possible names, but beyond the difficulty of getting 5 folk to agree on what they want to be called, when you google possibilities, it seems like nearly all of them - or close variants - have already been used by some band somewhere.
Wondered what you thought about how far a new band ought to go to choose a name that is completely different than you can find anywhere on Google.
For example, let’s say we wanted to call ourselves the Slow Motion Ramblers. (We don’t, and I haven’t googled the name.) Let’s say there is a group named Slow Motion that tours in a different part of the country, playing a totally different type of music. And maybe a group called the Slow Motion Ramblers that apparently existed some 10 years ago. Would you feel comfortable using the name? How about changing it to Slow Motion Ramblers String Band?
FTR, this is just 5 of us having fun, playing completely non-commercial old-timey music. We’ve started playing at local old folks’ homes, and I can envision eventually playing an occasional bar or festival gig. Heck, with today’s technology, a video might appear on Youtube some day, or we might record something for friends and family.
If you want to know what I’m talking about, try to come up with a name you think would be good for a band, then google it. You have to be pretty “out there” to not come up with some pretty close matches.
Tressler Christ. A friend pointed back in the 60s that it was a great band name. It comes from the authors of an English textbook. Googling only finds references to the book.
Back in the early 70s, two bands named “Gypsy” had record contracts. One was from the UK, so they were billed at English Gypsy in the US.
Pick a name. Then misspell it. Be the Sloe Motion Ramblerz or something. It worked for the Beatles. Just no umlauts, please.
Or pick words that are proper names or not commonly combined - Sleater Kinney was the intersection where their practice space was. Or make up a word, like Kyuss, which ultimately morphed into Queens of the Stone Age (back to words not commonly combined).
I suggest having brainstorm sessions with the band members. Write down every name idea. Choose the first unique name that has yes votes among band members. In order to be unique (and avoid possible future confusion and/or lawsuits), it is likely best to incorporate unique word combinations and/or word spellings (as noted above) and/or invented word(s).
Brainstorming is easy…
**
Portmanteau Generation Societease
Platypus Multiplication Brigade
Screamin’ Lullaby Tecknition
Avant Gardening EXXsperiment
Copacetic Gatherings of the Wise
Art Happeningz at the Steampunk Haberdashery**
Are these good band name that I suggest? Eh, maybe 1 or 2, but all five are unique
Come up with something that most people would find somewhat horrifying, but that you personally can still live with, and can market to more than the most niche of markets.* (Example A, B)
In your case, for an old-timey theme, how 'bout…the New Orleans Axemen? Especially if you’re creative in how you spell “axe.”
The “Spring-Heeled Jacks” and “Servant Girl Annihilators” are, indeed and alas, already taken.
A little more info - we are entirely acoustic and play old-timey/bluegrass/Americana. One aspect is simply getting 5 people to agree on what they want to be called. It is unlikely to have everyone love the same name, but you at least want a name that no one absolutely hates.
Given the nature of our music, several folk tend towards the “Old Joe and the Yodelling Mountain Foxes” type of name. Or “The Big Prairie String Band.” Our youngest guy is in his 40s, and we play at old folks’ homes - so we aren’t really looking to stretch the envelope or be provocative anything… Also, most of us would like a name that meant something - ether related to our geography, or something about our music. Rather than just nonsensical combinations of words.
Right now we’ve brainstormed a list of 50 or so suggestions. My last suggestion was that each of us identify our 5 favorites from that list, and then we decide how to narrow it down from there. Maybe simply choose the name that appears on the most lists? (So far, not a lot of overlap among the folk who’ve identified their 5) Or vote among that narrowed list. Maybe give each member the right to nix any one name?
It is also a little irritating that some folk play a less active role in this selection than others. You know the dynamic. Happens in all kinds of group behavior. Someone simply remains silent or says they don’t care. Then when you think you’ve neared a decision, they speak up and try to take things back to square 1.
But my question was a little different. Sorta got into the area of trademark infringement. I guess one main concern is whether the name could cause confusion. So if we want to call ourselves Big Bluestem Symphony, the fact that there may be a classical organization out in Nebraska or a heavy metal group in Alaska may not cause confusion. But if there is a bluegrass group using that name anywhere, we might not want to.
There also is the issue of abandonment. If a group used a name in the past, but is not still touring or selling music, the name may be up for grabs.
Thanks for the thoughts. We’re meeting tonight, and hopefully will make some progress.
A while back I found the Wampa figure from a Star Wars Microcollection playset that I had in the early 1980s. There was a little bit of wear on the paint and I could see the cast iron beneath it. It struck me at the time (and sticks with me) that Cast Iron Wampa would make an excellent band name. (And it doesn’t seem to be taken. Help yourself!)
Yeah - you’re right. But a part of making music is trying to be somewhat creative. And even if it just gets to the point where we have a video posted on-line, or a bar lists us as playing there, or we put together a FB site, you don’t want to say your name is “Midwest String Band” and have someone search and see several other groups with a more established presence. But you can tweak spelling or add an extra word to distinguish it. Maybe the “Mid West Bluegrass Band” or something.
If the five of you are dudes, give yourself a “The ______ Brothers” name. Works really well for old-timey music; my friend plays in a folk duo called The Barley Brothers and neither he nor the other guy are named Barley. Top-of-my-head old-timey suggestions:
The Turpentine Brothers
The Chain Gang Brothers
The Washboard Brothers (works better if no one actually plays the washboard)
The Sepia Brothers
What a practice! We decided upon a name, and then our banjo/mando picker informed us he got offered a huge promotion, and next summer will be moving from Chicago to Philadelphia.
The “group” started with him and me playing together. Definitely changes things.
