Best Band Names

Subject: BS: Best Band Names
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 04:09 PM

Last night I heard a band called "Dr Butler's Hatstand Medicine Band", and wondered if you lot knew any bands that are called similarly silly names.

I did want to call my folk band "Feedback On The Banjo" after a comment someone made to a sound engineer during a sound check.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 04:18 PM

I don't think you want to ask for feedback on the banjo during a gig. It seems like an invitation to heckle to me.

Led Zeppelin comes to mind.
Dr Hook and the Medicine Show
Pink Floyd was supposedly named after a sex toy.
There are hundreds.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 04:25 PM

It was the singer saying "Fred! There's feedback on the banjo!" which made me think "Man, that would be a good band name".

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Smokey.
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 04:26 PM

(leaping at a chance for pedantry)

Pink Floyd were named after Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, as any fule kno.

The 1910 Fruitgum Company.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 04:36 PM

Two eminent dildos no doubt. ;-)

You know, taking two random first names from a blues album is about as dumb a way to name a band as I can imagine.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Becca72
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 05:08 PM

I was always fond of "Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction"

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 05:15 PM

Bloodwyn Pig...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 05:21 PM

Humphrey and the Dumptrucks

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 05:23 PM

Well, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my 70s country rock band, "Doctor Rupert (me) and the Wiggly Digits"...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Smokey.
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 05:42 PM

You know, taking two random first names from a blues album is about as dumb a way to name a band as I can imagine.

Having spent much time in early 70's rock bands, I can tell you there are far, far dumber ways..

They started as a blues band and Anderson and Council were heroes of the guitarist, Syd Barrett.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: michaelr
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 08:16 PM

The sex toy was Steely Dan, a chrome dildo featuring in Burroughs' "Naked Lunch".

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 08:41 PM

String Cheese Incident...(great group!)

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 09:35 PM

I remembered a good one and rushed to the thread to post it. I just forgot it. All I can remember is that it was 6/7 words long and ended with Orchestra. DAMN YOU ALCOHOL!*

*which is the name of my Pogues cover band. Nailed it.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 03:47 PM

The Electric Light Orchestra

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 03:56 PM

Haven't we done this before?
Machine Gun Felatio (that's the band name - not me)
Achilles and his Heels

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Little Hawk
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 04:39 PM

The Band
The Rolling Stones
Nazi Dog and the Viletones
Stark Naked and the Fleshtones
Bolt Upright and the Erections
The Voidoids
Teenage Head
Amazing Disgrace

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Smokey.
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 05:35 PM

The best band names are short. That way you get bigger lettering on the advertising material.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 05:41 PM

"Gnu" would be good name for a band. Think of the album titles.

"Gnu Wave"
"Gnu Kids on The Block"
"What's Gnu?"

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Smokey.
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 06:28 PM

Annie Get Your Gnu.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 09:43 PM

I've always sort of liked the "Creatures from the Black Saloon," but a more local band that tried "It Came From Outer Pawhuska" wasn't really good enough to satisfactorily test whether the play on bad movie titles has any inherent value to contribute to a band's success.

A regional favorite for several decades was billed as "The Exlax Symphony" with considerable success; but a lot of people seeing the name for the first time without the customary "Music to Make You Move" footnote had to have it explained.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Big Ballad Singer
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 12:40 AM

One of my 'characters' I have performed with is called Doggy Num-nums.

I once named a punk band the Maniac Ketchup Bottles.

I even had an idea to marry bleak poetry with hardcore country music and present a band called Edgar Allan Cash. Sort of a gothic/folk-blues thing. Might still. ;)

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Neil D
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 01:39 AM

"Dr. Sir Warrior and His Original Oriental Brothers International Band"

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 03:14 AM

The Who

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 03:26 AM

---Haven't we done this before?---
===
Yay; searched 'band names' & found several, one of which I OPd in Feb 2010 as "Favourite band names, any genre"; another back in 2002.+++++++

Still ~ wotthehell archie

BUT in what conceivable way is this a "non-music thread, eh?

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,banjovey
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 04:16 AM

Spinach For Norman
Beachy Headbangers

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 07:43 AM

The Beech Band

We play in The Beech Inn, Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9EG

Oh and we are a band of who ever turns up plays

L in C#

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 08:18 AM

Gnu are my Sunshine

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 11:49 AM

Wailin Jennies is a cool name.

How about Humpback Wailers?

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,999
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 12:57 PM

Tommy Underwear and his Elastic Band

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 02:24 PM

It's BS because it's stupid band names that we've heard - the actual band itself wasn't the point.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: gnu
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 02:26 PM

JtS... you must be on vacation... and very bored... hahahaha.

999... ditto! I like that one.

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: BTNG
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 02:59 PM

Mabel Greer's Toyshop.

Personnel:
Jon Anderson         vocals         
Peter Banks         guitar         
Clive Bailey         guitar         
Chris Squire         bass         
Tub Thumper(John Cymbal)         drums

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 04:15 PM

DrugCrazed ~~ you asked for *Best* band names. If you had wanted *stupid* ones, why didn't you say so? Or don't you know the difference.

Perhaps it's the drugs?

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 05:01 PM

But the stupid ones are the best!

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: gnu
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 05:42 PM

Ooooo... corn flakes a bit soggy?

Say... Soggy Corn Flakes. How's that?

Subject: RE: BS: Best Band Names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 12:47 AM

No, they are not. Ingeniously multi-punning ones [work out all the various implications and references subsumed in 'The Electric Light Orchestra' ~ electric; electric light; light orchestra] are the best.

'The Beatles' isn't stupid; it's a goodish pun.

~M~

Subject: : Best Band Names
From: GUEST,Oldtimer
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 04:25 AM

In the early 70s there was a three piece Rock band in Ferbane , Co Offaly ROI calling themselves" The Cunning Stunts"

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 01:45 PM

When I went to UT Austin a few decades back, I saw three band fliers on one phone pole; Liquid Mice, Bouffant Jellyfish, and Childbearing Hips.

--Nonie

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 02:22 PM

My own loose and slightly raffish ensemble, the Trembling Wheelbarrows, (deservedly Suffolk's best-kept musical secret)were named on the spur of the moment when our extremely loose and raffish front man, Mr Doc Cox, was being interviewed over the 'phone by Mojo magazine for a 'where are they now?' article charting his progress since his careers as TV presenter and instigator of several rude but funny CDs.

Back in those days, his band went out as Ivor Biggun and the Red Nose Burglars.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,Bored
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 02:26 PM

Sultans of Ping FC
Lawnmower Deth
The Normals
The Voice Squad
Elmer Fudd
Support
Garbage
Johnny Moped
The Archers of Loaf
The Butthole Surfers

Enough. I'm bored again.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 02:54 PM

Before we had a "proper name" between ourselves we were called The Dog Sh*t Three.This joke had been shared with Jen's dad.

This came undone one night when the other two found themselves having tea with Jen's mum & dad and a nun. Jen's mum was proud of her daughter and her voice and explained to the nun that she sang in a group.

Oh, said the nun, what is your group called? Under his breath but slightly too loud Jen's dad muttered The Dog Sh*t Three. On hearing this and much too the nun's surprise Dave lost his tea across the table.

L in C#

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 02:54 PM

I used to like Nick Barraclough's Telephone Bill & the Smooth Operators ~~ US readers will probably not appreciate that a 'telephone bill' here is an account for payment from the telephone company: what you call a bill we call a [bank]note...

~M~

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Smokey.
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 03:14 PM

Jennifer Short & the Abbreviations.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,Wombat
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 05:42 PM

The Nicaraguan over eighties nudist leapfrog troop.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 08:32 PM

I had a friend who wanted to make a band called "Drinks On The House", for the simple notes on the doors that would say "Tonight: Drinks On The House!" that could entice people in, expecting a free drink.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,bige
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 09:17 PM

http://www.pacific-gas-electric.com/bio.html

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,zalby57
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 05:31 AM

myself and 2 colleagues did a charity gig at works social a couple of years back, we went under the name of "Thruppence Short Of A Euro"

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Vic Smith
Date: 21 Apr 14 - 03:59 PM

As a member of The Sussex Pistols I have always been a fan of silly and punning band names, so I was delighted to receive the regular e-mail circular - Folk music news from York and the surrounding area - and to read about a concert headlined by The Grand Old Uke of York

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,eldergirl
Date: 21 Apr 14 - 07:24 PM

Heard a band last month called the S Pub Four, they've been going a few years now, they are Steve, Sally, Sally and Sue. Unless it was Steve, Sally, Sue and Sue..
I was once part of a band which the leader and main songwriter wanted to call Windrush, but the bass player would have none of it and threatened to walk.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 03:11 AM

There used to be a band in Harrogate called MROR (Money for old Rope)

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 03:52 AM

60s folk band, Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra, and a local [ Bradford ] band, Denny And The Howling Whippets.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 04:22 AM

Group of young lads at Siddders a few years back , doing a mix of R&B and Trad Irish , called themselves B0 Diddly Diddly

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Musket
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 04:26 AM

Years ago at a festival, a band I was in followed The Hot Pot Belly Band on stage at a festival. I thought they had a cool name.

When I was playing punk, we changed the name of bands all the time, mainly to get repeat bookings at a venue that wanted to give priority to first timers, (The Ship in Worksop.)

We went through everything from The Raving Gingers to the "I'm not putting that on a poster!" Masturbating Malcolm and the Arsehole Lubricators.

In folk, a duo using our own names, we got a booking and they asked us what we called ourselves.   Trying to be a smartarse, I said Norfolk and Goode. An old joke but one he obviously hadn't heard, as we saw on the posters when we got there....... I don't know how many expected comedy but we played jigs, reels etc interspersed with Scottish ballads where everybody gets massacred.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: LesB
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 04:41 AM

Deaf Shepard,
although when I play some tunes in a floor spot at the folk club & I get all & sundry up to play along I jokingly refer to us as The Gastric Band.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Brian Peters
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 05:28 AM

I seem to remember a 1970s Manchester band called Wayne Kerr and the Right-Hand Men.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Nick
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 05:52 AM

Always liked "The Jimmy Shandrix Experience"

I used to play in a band called Box of Goats which people seemed to find slightly odd but which makes perfect sense if you use a random band name generator

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Nick
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 05:54 AM

Sorry, wrong spelling -

Jimi Shandrix Experience

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: meself
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 09:57 AM

I've said it before and I'll say it again: The Cheap Suit Serenaders has never been topped as a name.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 10:11 AM

What kind of folkers are you? Getting this far without any mention of the Donzo Dog Doo Dah Band...

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Vic Smith
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 10:26 AM

I once called a dance with a pick-up band from Southampton that had never played together before or since.

What's the name of that river that flows into Southampton Water?

What's another name for a 'pick-up' band?

T

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Vic Smith
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 10:29 AM

Whoops! Continued from previous post....

That night I worked with the only ever performance by the Itchen Scratch Band

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 10:34 AM

That goes back - Warsash?

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 10:37 AM

Guest 1011 ~~ I presume you mean the Bonzo Dog Doodah Band?

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: JHW
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 01:27 PM

The Butter Mountain Boys

Albatrosity

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 22 Apr 14 - 03:49 PM

Ceilidh band called Ceilidh Minogue.
Bagpipe, guitar and drum band called The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
I play in The X-tet (where x = any number as we never know who's going to turn up), and there's also "The Occasionals".

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: PHJim
Date: 23 Apr 14 - 02:08 AM

I played in a bluegrass band where the Dobro player was named Reg Buck. We called ourselves "Buck & Loose Change".

Another roots band was called "Late For Dinner". We said, "You can't call us anything, but you can all us Late For Dinner."

Right now I play in a jug band. One of our members' father played in a dance band called the Merry Land Collegians and they had black velvet music stand banners with MLC embroidered in gold. We used one of those banners and called ourselves the MLC JUg Band for our first couple of gigs. We asked the audience to try to think up a good name for the band. They came up with some interesting ideas: "Mamma's Little Cuties", "Meat & Livestock Commission", "Misery Loves Company" and a dozen or so others.
We finally decided on The Maple Leaf Champions Jug Band, since there hadn't been any Maple Leaf Champions since 1967.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: meself
Date: 23 Apr 14 - 02:47 PM

Luther Wright & the Wrongs (Canadian rock band).

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 23 Apr 14 - 03:49 PM

Then there was The Otterby Band, so called because they oughta be banned.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,disillusioned folkie
Date: 23 Apr 14 - 05:25 PM

Jinks' Stack comes to mind, not because of the name but because they were introduced once by Martin Wyndham Read as 'Jack Stinks' and also by Les barker as 'Josephine's Socks'. Great days they once were!

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 23 Apr 14 - 06:59 PM

Back in the 60's there was "Fred Walking Stick & The Electric Wireless Orchestra" covering Eden Kane's "Well I Ask Ya".
Whenever someone asked us for the name of our band we would jokingly say "Bobby Brief & The Y-Fronts".

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: Vic Smith
Date: 24 Apr 14 - 06:25 AM

Older contributors may be able to raise a chuckle at a one-time Glasgow band - The Govan Spoonful.

Subject: RE: Best Band Names
From: PHJim
Date: 24 Apr 14 - 11:30 AM

Four members of a folk club I belonged to in the late eighties formed a group and were rehearsing for a summer festival. I had just attended an organisation meeting for the folk club and when I arrived at the rehearsal I was asked, "What did you get accomplished at the meeting?"
I answered, "Dick all," and the other guys figured that would be a good name for our group, even though none of us were named Dick.
We played one gig with that name and when we were told that some folks might be offended by the name, we changed it.
The bass player had just had a tape recorder returned from the shop with a ticket that said, "Beyond Repair," so that became our new name.