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Band name help please

28 Sep 09 - 09:17 AM (#2733109)
Subject: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Yes - it's another of Mudcat's famous "I can't think of a band name" threads. Your help most gratefully received.

We are: Karen on flute, Carol on cello and me on guitar and we play traditional and in-the-tradition tunes. English, Scottish, not much Irish, some European (French, Swedish), French-Canadian.

I like to think we're quite refined and elegant. We're certainly more chamber-orchestra than thrash-punk!

Looking for a unique and punchy name which doesn't have too many in-built preconceptions. We don't want an Oirish name, nor a new-age name. The best we've come up with so far is "Gallowhill" (after the tune by Lau which gives an indication of our vibe) although some folks think that sounds a bit macabre.

Any and all ideas, please. Thank you in anticipation. Usual royalties will apply*.

--
Hamish

*paid in beer.


28 Sep 09 - 09:31 AM (#2733125)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Dave the Gnome

Karomish?

Shakespeare's Mother?

The Karen On Flute, Carol On Cello and Hamish On Guitar ( KOFCOCHAG) ensemble?

If nothing else a plethora of daft suggestions should get you thinking of good ones:-)

Cheers

DeG


28 Sep 09 - 09:35 AM (#2733126)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: MGM·Lion

"The Green Light Orchestra" — unaggressively PC with permissive undertones; several levels of meaning — I always loved the name of the Electric Light Orchestra, which in a way it references; with overtonal ref also to these low-energy bulbs which are supposed to be going to be so much better for us, so implying the gentle approach which your summary above seems to suggest...

Any vocals, btw, or purely instrumental? — I think we should be told...

* Don't drink beer these days: but fond of sparkling mineral...


28 Sep 09 - 09:45 AM (#2733134)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

The idea is to be purely instrumental, M. Although we have a booking for a double headed gig in January where I'll be one act (solo, singing) and The Green Light Orchestra will be the other act. It's early days and I'm happy just to be playing with these two lovely and talented musicians. We might do some songs, but it's not on the agenda at the moment.

The lack of a name is rather holding us back from setting up a MySpace site.

I suppose the obvious cypher is "Hamish and Carol, Karen" - HACK; or "Carol, Hamish and Karen" = CHAK. But they're not very appealing, are they?

Keep 'em coming!


28 Sep 09 - 09:48 AM (#2733135)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Richard Bridge

"Many a good tune" (although it would be bether if you had a fiddle).

Poise.

Northern Lights.

Go carefully now.

Gentle Measures.

The Humpty Down Set.

Blow Scrape and Pluck.

Air and two G strings.



Unfortunately "String Whistle" is taken.


28 Sep 09 - 09:50 AM (#2733139)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: John MacKenzie

Ha Ca Ka


28 Sep 09 - 09:53 AM (#2733142)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: The Sandman

Feeorin: type of diminutive fairy in the folklore of England. It is also the collective word for fairies who are usually friendly towards mankind, or at least neutral. They are depicted as small creatures with a green skin and wearing red hats. They enjoy singing and dancing.


28 Sep 09 - 09:59 AM (#2733147)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Banjiman

Hamish & The Harem?

Not very P.C. I suppose!


28 Sep 09 - 09:59 AM (#2733148)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Mr Happy

The Tunies?


28 Sep 09 - 10:01 AM (#2733152)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Air and Two G Strings is strangely similar to the "Rose Between Two Thorns" morph into "A Thong Between Two Rosy Cheeks" which has already been unaccountably rejected. And as for "Many a Good Tune" we're not that old! At least Karen and Carol aren't.


28 Sep 09 - 10:06 AM (#2733155)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Mr Happy

I was part of a trio some time back, two chaps & a girly.

Tried out loads've names

Me & Jim liked '3 Strong Winds' but little orphan Annie couldn't bear it - wonder why?


28 Sep 09 - 10:14 AM (#2733161)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Mr Happy

Anagramatising 'hamishkarencarol' gives:

monarchial shaker   
harmonical shaker   
monarchal shakier   
sherlock maharani   

Any good?


28 Sep 09 - 10:25 AM (#2733168)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

You've seen me play, obviously. Maniacal Shaking...

Shake a Manacle, perhaps. Would bring in a certain type of audience...


28 Sep 09 - 10:40 AM (#2733178)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: MGM·Lion

Reverting to my original suggestion — it would also probably acronymise into "The GLO [pronounced 'Glow']", which has its own appeal, has it not?


28 Sep 09 - 10:49 AM (#2733182)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: SteveMansfield

Karhamcar

Renishrol

Or some sort of similar arrangement with parts of the surnames?

Any unusually-named local hills, bays, meadows, crossroads, hamlets or pubs you could take a name from?


28 Sep 09 - 10:56 AM (#2733188)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work

Using my patented random chosen band and/or tune generator:

whale's musket
aunt's feathers
milliner's posy
greengrocer's spade
mother's comb
bishop's nest
dairymaid's kite
farmer's veil
countess's hat
william's nest
urchin's waggon
shark's tun
barman's jig
helen's arrow
nurse's march
earl's hat
philosopher's brawl
robin's feathers
father's whip
mary's bed
ann's smile
horse's patches
sailor's shoes
whore's bag
grandfather's fob
henry's sword
mary's coach
dairymaid's kettle
brother's cart
butcher's polka
matron's grave
farmer's broom
elizabeth's lawn
batman's spurs
cat's grave
woman's tun
uncle's garden
dairymaid's arms

I'm particularly impressed with philosopher's brawl


28 Sep 09 - 11:07 AM (#2733195)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Eric the Viking

12th Night


28 Sep 09 - 11:09 AM (#2733199)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: SharonA

"A Thorn Between Two Roses"?

"Thorn and Roses"? (Too much like Guns & Roses?)

"Strings for Airs"

"There are No Words"


28 Sep 09 - 11:14 AM (#2733205)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST,highlandman at work

This will be no help whatever but while we are on the topic of band names I must share it...
Our local public radio station WNCW pays a lot of attention to local and regional bands, with the expected "community calendar" PSA's throughout the day. Besides the usual Celtic-ish names there is always a steady stream of those indie-sounding creations, you know the type (one of my favorites is the Magnetic Zeros).
One day while riding in the truck and half-listening to the announcements, it took me a few moments to realize that they were NOT talking about another indie band:
"Rabies Clinic this Saturday at the firehouse..."
-Glenn


28 Sep 09 - 11:14 AM (#2733206)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: John MacKenzie

ISO 639 :)


28 Sep 09 - 11:19 AM (#2733211)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: theleveller

Silkie


28 Sep 09 - 12:03 PM (#2733251)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: SharonA

"Silkie Purse"...... just KIDDING!


28 Sep 09 - 12:07 PM (#2733256)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Bernard

You mentioned Gallowhill - how about Hallowgill?!


28 Sep 09 - 12:47 PM (#2733278)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: wysiwyg

KarenKella, rhymes with Tarantella.

~S~


28 Sep 09 - 01:28 PM (#2733324)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Dave Illingworth

Inspiration has often left me when I have been in this situation.
The title of a song or tune from your repertoire can sometimes work.

It's probably been used before, but I was doing a crossword the other day and saw that an anagram for "orchestra" was "carthorse".
I quite like the rustic/folky nature of that, but it could imply that tha band's music was slow and plodding........

             Good luck.


28 Sep 09 - 01:34 PM (#2733332)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

flute, guitar and cello.. hmmm..


"Blow Pick & Scrape"


28 Sep 09 - 01:50 PM (#2733343)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: ClaireBear

Thought up at random:

Forest for the Trees
10-String Flute
Sublime Chamber Band

I tried an anagram generator for "Carol Hamish Karen" too, and got:

Harmonica Larks, Eh? (sweet!)
Carnal Rakish Home (which I quite like)
Aha, Mariner Shlock (which would be great if you did corny sea tunes)
Aha Marlin Chokers (conjures up a certain image)

and my personal favorite...

Chalk Horse Airman


28 Sep 09 - 04:29 PM (#2733478)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: BusyBee Paul

Hamish, whatever you do, DON'T use Dazbo's "Whore's Bag"!.

Best I can come up with tonight is "Karoh", which is of course a little piece of each of you.

Don't know if it has any hidden meaning.

Deirdre


28 Sep 09 - 04:31 PM (#2733482)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: BusyBee Paul

Umm, there's already a KarOh on Myspace...

And she's better looking than you ;-)

I'll get me coat and Schirm!.


28 Sep 09 - 04:36 PM (#2733487)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

or.. "Blow Pick & Bow"


28 Sep 09 - 05:11 PM (#2733540)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST,CupOfTea at work

As I don't seem to be from yer neck of the woods, I don't know local injokes on place names or customs, so I'm going with ideas based on your decision to only do tunes and no singing. A brave stance, that. Good luck whoever you turn out to be!

Tonguetied

Tunes of the Tonguetied (denotes all the tunes, none of the words)

Wordless Wind & Speechless Strings

or very simply Wordless

Noteworthy Not Wordy

Chatless Chamber Crumudgeons for something a bit more um.. snarkish? Oh, whoops, you said elegant...

Wordless Wonder Chamber Trio

Wonderfully Wordless Chamber Trio

Joanne in Cleveland (the one in Ohio)


28 Sep 09 - 05:21 PM (#2733548)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Georgiansilver

I guess 'Carkarham'..... might fit the bill..... or a similar arrangement of your three names...... 'Karhamcar' ' Carhamkar'....... they all sound vaguely Gaelic..... Hope you find a good name whatever.
Best wishes, Mike.


28 Sep 09 - 05:29 PM (#2733554)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Nick

Heartfelt


28 Sep 09 - 05:34 PM (#2733557)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Phil Edwards

Three Around Three


28 Sep 09 - 05:34 PM (#2733558)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: TonyA

There's already a Gallowhill Hillbillies in that market, so that won't do.

What about Coulterlee? The fictional place in Charles Kingsley's poem Lorraine Lorraine Lorèe. It doesn't appear to be in use. It would be easy to find your band with a google search.


28 Sep 09 - 05:35 PM (#2733559)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Nick

I've played in things called amongst others -

Clap
Some Other Animal
Box of Goats
Walking Tables
Eric Pope and the Cardinals
Greedy Zebras
Curragh
Fine Brogues

And the thing you realise is that band names only have any sense AFTER they have been named and played out. If people like the band they usually like the name and go "wow that's a good name"

I don't think it matters too much.


28 Sep 09 - 06:00 PM (#2733575)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Neil D

Rarefied Aires


28 Sep 09 - 06:52 PM (#2733614)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Fortunato

Nose Full of Nickels


28 Sep 09 - 07:31 PM (#2733641)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: frogprince

Wind and Wire
Wind and Steel.

There's an ancient novelty song called "I'm a Lonely Little Petunia in an Onion patch". But in this case, the "petunias" outnumber the "onion", which might suggest....
                "An Onion Between".


28 Sep 09 - 07:39 PM (#2733648)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: frogprince

"Two Lovelies and Somebody Else".


28 Sep 09 - 07:42 PM (#2733649)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: frogprince

Ok, I'm on a roll here, whether or not I'm rolling to anyplace helpful. Am I correct in getting the idea that a lot of your tunes will be a lot older than you are?

               "Before Our Own Time".


28 Sep 09 - 08:18 PM (#2733669)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Tattie Bogle

Ditch Carol then you could be/do the Haka!


28 Sep 09 - 08:41 PM (#2733684)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Ref

I think "Help, Please" would be an excellent name for a band!


28 Sep 09 - 09:24 PM (#2733712)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Suegorgeous

I don't have an idea for a name as yet - but something I think it's important to consider is that if a member leaves at any point in the future, you may well want to continue the band under the same name (especially if you've started to get gigs, maybe even get well-known). And if you do, it'll cause problems if you've been too specific in the band name - such as referring to the current band members' names, or to your specific instruments. So it's best to think of one now that's a bit more flexible, to cover such future eventualities.

In the same vein, it sounds like you may well include songs in the future, so don't use a name that limits you to instrumentals (as some of the above suggestions do).

I think using a tune title can work well, or the words from a song (my own band is called One Star Awake).

Sue


28 Sep 09 - 10:41 PM (#2733745)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Gurney

Places Please.
Packing Cool.


29 Sep 09 - 12:44 AM (#2733787)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Michael Harrison

hmmm,...Pale Garden, or Garden of the Pale. Cheers,.........mwh


29 Sep 09 - 03:48 AM (#2733850)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Or maybe Bow Peep?

It just might work...


29 Sep 09 - 04:35 AM (#2733867)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)

Echoing Suegorgeous's sentiments about not cramping future changes.

Name of a favourite tune or ine from a favourite song, is perfect.

As is drawing from local folklore and curious placenames, as mentioned above.


29 Sep 09 - 08:58 AM (#2734002)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

What do you think about caireal or caireil? It's Scots Gaellic for 1 Noise, clamour. 2 Outcry. 3 Sound of distant music. 4 Harmony, melody. 5 Carol. 6 Chirping of birds.

It's short, snappy, no overtones beyond a vague folkiness/Scottishness and has a hidden humorousness about it for when we have to explain where the name comes from? I think I'm convinced. Just needs me to convince the other two...


29 Sep 09 - 09:09 AM (#2734013)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: MGM·Lion

How do you pronounce it? Does the fact I have to ask put you off the idea at all?


29 Sep 09 - 09:28 AM (#2734025)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Smedley

Every time I passed a tiny Scottish village called Maggieknockater I used to think 'what a great name for a folk group' - but maybe it would better suit a band at the more raucous end of the spectrum, not the refined one.

(And thanks to the person who mentioned that ancient 'petunia/onion patch' song - my late grandmother used to sing it to make us laugh when we were kids and I haven't thought of it in YEARS, so I have been wallowing in fuzzy nostalgia thanks to your post.)


29 Sep 09 - 09:28 AM (#2734026)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

a) er, not sure. b) Um, yes, a little.

Okay, so substitute "controversial" for "snappy"...


29 Sep 09 - 09:41 AM (#2734038)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Mo the caller

My husband suggests we should form a band called "Another Dead Badger", because where-ever we drive we see one or more. I don't think it has much appeal.


29 Sep 09 - 09:42 AM (#2734040)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

Its not too late to get an electric guitar, bass, and drums in your band..

than we can try thinking up some more exciting band names..


29 Sep 09 - 09:54 AM (#2734049)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Thank you, GUEST, that made me laugh. Maybe we should consider calling ourselves Old Bland Dogs or Bland Boys of Alabama. Bland Leading the Bland? Or for any of you who remember the German prog-rock band, Amon Dull?


29 Sep 09 - 09:59 AM (#2734053)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Mr Happy

Anagramming "Another Dead Badger" gives us:

Teenaged Hardboard!


29 Sep 09 - 10:02 AM (#2734057)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Smedley

Apropos of almost nothing, John Peel once wrote that his favourite ever band name was Stark Naked and the Car Thieves.

But (a) he was probably making it up
and
(b) it might create expectations in your audience that you'd be reluctant to fulfil.


29 Sep 09 - 10:10 AM (#2734063)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Yeah, well, it didn't harm Bare Naked Ladies too much. (Good band, too!)


29 Sep 09 - 10:12 AM (#2734064)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: MGM·Lion

Not sure about (b) — think of the Barenaked Ladies, who are neither but still get gigs.

Nick Barraclough's first band had a name I liked very much — Telephone Bill and the Smooth Operators.

From what you say, Hamish, the word Smooth somewhere in the name would suit your would-be profile. Combining it with a previous suggestion of mine, first on the thread I think, [which i hope btw you are still considering], would something like Smoothglow (or Smooth Glow) have any appeal to you?


29 Sep 09 - 10:17 AM (#2734071)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

.. though this could emphasise the 'harder edge' of your current line-up

"Chaffed Lips & Blistered Fingers" A Hardcore Celtic Chamber Trio

Available for Blue Chip Corporate Functions and Society Weddings..

and Punch-ups down the Local Boozer afterwards..


29 Sep 09 - 10:50 AM (#2734105)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: nutty

Working on the idea of a group of three

TRISKELION OR TRISKELE (TRISKEEL) - meaning three legged

TRIQUETRA â€" a geometrical figure having three points

TRIPLICITY or TERNION - three of something


29 Sep 09 - 10:56 AM (#2734111)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Smedley

Smooth Glow sounds a little too much like a brand of furniture polish.


29 Sep 09 - 06:51 PM (#2734582)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Nick

>>Smooth Glow sounds a little too much like a brand of furniture polish.

I bet the tunes would have a beautiful finish


29 Sep 09 - 07:04 PM (#2734588)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Suegorgeous

Despite all these suggestions, I think Gallowhill is far and away the best one so far.

The gaelic one would be lovely, but you will get irritated after a while at everyone asking you all the time how to pronounce it... :)


29 Sep 09 - 07:21 PM (#2734599)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: McGrath of Harlow

Gallowhill - with a striking logo of the three of you hanging side by side from a gibbet.


29 Sep 09 - 11:52 PM (#2734712)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: haddocker

How about "Galleon" or "Maggies Drawers"?


30 Sep 09 - 03:24 AM (#2734758)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Well, Hazel: I like those. My missus thought of Trilemma on the same sort of basis. McGrath: LOL!!!


30 Sep 09 - 06:35 AM (#2734835)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Georgiansilver

How about "Triur Daoine"...... Three Folk..............


30 Sep 09 - 08:15 AM (#2734897)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

GOAT is an acronym of Greatest Of All Time. Once you know that it would be presumptious to use "Goat" at all.
Whatever - make it short and no more than two words. That way you don't get a smaller typeface than necessary on the posters/ads and look less important.
Make it pronounceable in English (assuming you want to address that market).
After that you have all the conotations to avoid, or not avoid as the case may be.
Oh and TBC and TBA are not clever marketing, long term.


30 Sep 09 - 08:44 AM (#2734923)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt

There is a dance called 'Three Meet' quite a goood name

'Tripping Upstairs' is a tune

Triple Jig


30 Sep 09 - 09:56 AM (#2734963)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: The Sandman

threes a crowd


03 Oct 09 - 05:18 PM (#2737556)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Ah, well, I guess "Caireal" isn't such a good idea. I understand it's just the Gaelic way to spell "Carol". Which would be fine if that wasn't the cello player's name...


04 Oct 09 - 02:30 AM (#2737740)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: BusyBee Paul

Hamish, that's probably better than Deardhuil (sp?) which I've been informed is the Gaelic spelling of Deirdre.

I wouldn't advise calling the Band Deirdre - as most people can't spell that either!.

BBP


05 Oct 09 - 06:57 AM (#2738687)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Okay, here's another idea. What do you think of Kuratsa (kooh-RAH-chah)?

Nice word, it's a folk dance from The Philippines, mimicking a young playful couple's attempt to get each other's attention. It is performed in a moderate waltz style.

...hmmm???

--
Hamish, thanking you all for your help and contributions of other varieties.

p.s. played a good gig yesterday. It's starting to come together nicely.


05 Oct 09 - 07:07 AM (#2738692)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Smedley

Nice word indeed. But everyone will pronounce it as it's spelled - which might emphasise the 'rats' bit.


05 Oct 09 - 07:49 AM (#2738721)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Wasn't a problem for Hot Rats...


05 Oct 09 - 08:05 AM (#2738734)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Smedley

True. Though you could sidestep the potential rodent issue by using the word but spelling it phonetically.


05 Oct 09 - 08:12 AM (#2738736)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: BusyBee Paul

Giblets!


05 Oct 09 - 12:22 PM (#2738919)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: SharonA

I agree with Smedley about the "rats" part; that's how I read it too.

Unfortunately, "kooh-RAH-chah" sounds a lot like "koo-ka-RAH-cha" -- cucaracha -- "cockroach" in Spanish. "La Cucaracha" ("The Cockroach") is a traditional Spanish folk corrido, so it's got a folk song connection, but it's been parodied so much that I think you'd be ridiculed if you use a band name that sounds like the name of that tune.

Besides, if your band is playing English, Scottish, Irish, some European (French, Swedish), and French-Canadian tunes, why would you even want a name that makes reference to a folk dance from The Philippines??? It wouldn't be a good way to advertise what your band does.

Two thumbs down for the name Kuratsa. Back to the drawing board, Hamish!


05 Oct 09 - 12:58 PM (#2738947)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

So you're a rather gentile music trio from the northern Celt regions ?

"Gael Force 3"

Gale Force 3 is btw classified on the Meteorological Scale as

"A Gentle Breeze"

which translates into Gaelic as ....?


05 Oct 09 - 01:02 PM (#2738951)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: MGM·Lion

'The idea is to be purely instrumental, M. Although we have a booking for a double headed gig in January where I'll be one act (solo, singing) and The Green Light Orchestra will be the other act.'

Hamish, that was your reply to my original suggestion, inc ? as to whether any vocal content anticipated, only 2nd on the thread; in which, note, YOU REFERRED TO THE BAND, UNEQUIVOCALLY, BY THE NAME I HAD SUGGESTED.

I don't mean to sound vain [or, anyhow, not much]: but I still don't think my then suggestion has been bettered: and I hope you STILL have it under consideration as one of the 'possibles'.


05 Oct 09 - 01:26 PM (#2738962)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

..and if you did expand the line-up with Bass & drums,

you'd be "Gael Force 5".

Which is still only "A Fresh Breeze"

You'd need a drastic band expansion to get up to

"A Violent Storm"

but that sure would sound good translated in Gaelic.


05 Oct 09 - 01:40 PM (#2738972)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: JeffB

My group was performing at a rather low-key street festival recently. One of the acts was dance competition between a couple of kids, and as a lot of the audience had wandered away the MC got onto the PA asking for people to come up to the stage to support the dancers. No-one did, except me, whereupon the MC grabbed the mike again and bellowed "One of the folk singers has come along to support the dancing. If a folk singer can support the dancing, why can't you normal people."

It had never occurred to me that folkies are regarded by some (many?)as being abnormal, but I was favourably impressed by the idea. I straight away suggested to the group that we change our name to Kultchral Deviantz, on the grounds that a] we were and b] we would be an irresistable magnet for yoof.


05 Oct 09 - 01:44 PM (#2738981)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

I think Gael Force is a fantastic name (though if you add the "3", it sounds like there were Gael Forces 1 and 2....).

S


06 Oct 09 - 03:56 AM (#2739382)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Like it... There was (is?) a band called Blo Na Gael, of course. But no obvious current folkie usage of Gael Force x.

It's not easy, is it?

btw, Sharon, I share your misgivings about using a name that doesn't represent what we do; just because it's a nice name a folk dance related. And the reason it sounds like Cucuracha is because that is its etymological ancestor.

Maybe we should just stick with "Karen, Carol and Hamish".

Or make a word up: Splonk! Zklab! Or The Organic Music Ensemble (TOME)? Or... I Give Up. (That's a contender for the What Not to Call a Band thread)

The Blue Clickies?

:-?


06 Oct 09 - 04:12 AM (#2739391)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

I quoted your observation, Sharon, to Carol and she has replied thusly: "oh bugger. Never mind, is a fair point and one I had thought of but didn't want to admit. Gallowhill it is then?"

She didn't make ony comment on Gael Force x, which surprised me: I was rather taken with it. And I'm afraid the Green Light seems to be getting a red light, too.

Hey ho.


06 Oct 09 - 04:22 AM (#2739396)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: MGM·Lion

It wasn't The Green Light: it was The Green Light *Orchestra* — on the model of the Electric Ditto, with same pun [on Light Orchestra] adverted to: & with additnl advvantage of acronymising to Glow — which a NICE word, yes?
Trouble with puns on Gael [which good idea, I admit] is that nobody will spell it right.


06 Oct 09 - 07:49 AM (#2739467)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: treewind

I think Gael Force is a potential winner.
But "The Organic Music Ensemble" isn't bad either.

For what it's worth, I also considered:
Triphony (it's already the name of a a jazz trio)
Sonic Bloom and Phonic Bloom (already in use)

Anahata


06 Oct 09 - 09:00 AM (#2739512)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

if a band doesn't fall out with each other and break up at the name choosing disagreement stage,
then its got a fair chance of a good long term working relationship future together.


06 Oct 09 - 01:59 PM (#2739749)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: YorkshireYankee

I too like Gael Force 3 best of all suggestions so far. It may get misspelled now & then, but I would think most people/venues interested enough in your kind of music to book you would be aware of the word 'gael'. You prolly would need to make sure you mention the spelling whenever you're on the phone with someone who is thinking of hiring you, but that doesn't strike me as being a major obstacle.

However, in case it makes a difference, there are lots of Google hits for other music &/or dance groups named "Gael Force" (but not "Gael Force 3")...


07 Oct 09 - 08:43 AM (#2740325)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Thanks to you all once again for your thoughts and asides on this perennial problem. We seem to have come back to Gallowhill as being the one we're going to go with: but all the thought processes in the meantime, including on this thread, have been necessary to make us all realise that it's the one that probably suits our purposes best. Carol even said "I love Gallowhill now. So there."

So if anybody out there wants to use Gael Force 7, The Green Light Orchestra, The Organic Music Ensemble or any of the others - even Splonk - please feel free...

I may pop back in a while to let you know where you can find our MySpace, YouTube, FaceBook, etc-bl00dy-etc presences as and when they come into being. Now that we've settled on a name there's no excuse!

We're playing near Tring at some Apple Festival (don't yet know the address, sorry!) this coming Sunday, Ride a Cock Horse Hiring Fair in Banbury on 11th November, and a couple of pub gigs in Winkwell and Woodstock in November, too.

Bye for now; and thanks again. (Again!)

--
Hamish


07 Oct 09 - 09:50 AM (#2740369)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Jack Campin

Gael Force is the name of a regular festival in Dumfries and Galloway.


08 Oct 09 - 08:34 PM (#2741621)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Tattie Bogle

I think you'd have to be be about GaelForce 20 to avoid an overlap with all the other Gael Forces! As someone else has mentioned, just Google it, and you'll come up with anything from music festivals to a dance group, to Scottish and Irish Rugby, to marine engineering!
Good luck with Gallowhill - loosely translated into Gaelic as Duncroich.


08 Oct 09 - 09:04 PM (#2741638)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST,biff

kenthwucket


09 Oct 09 - 02:45 AM (#2741772)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity

Fretting and the Cramps


09 Oct 09 - 01:55 PM (#2742187)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Irene M

"Mumchance". Means mute or struck dumb.
Or " Blown Away"?


15 Oct 09 - 04:26 AM (#2746280)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Hamish

Well we've got a consensus! A real curve-ball which I didn't see coming... looking at a site about fungus (don't ask...) Carol came up with King Alfred's Cakes and we all seem to like the name. Well, it is unusual.

Googling only seems to hit it as a fungus (also known as cramp balls!!!) and as the story. And someone called Zoe Wood has written a song by that name, but I can't instantly see any problems with it as a band name.

Please don't find any problems with this one: it's been a long and arduous process. (And we haven't fallen out over it, either!!)

--
Hamish


15 Oct 09 - 07:43 AM (#2746406)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Mo the caller

I like it. Memorable, easy to Google. Yes.


15 Oct 09 - 08:27 AM (#2746444)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: treewind

Sweet!
But not burnt, I hope...


15 Oct 09 - 01:03 PM (#2746694)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Leadfingers

100


15 Oct 09 - 01:09 PM (#2746700)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST

hmmm royalty and baked produce..

"The Queens Baps" ?


03 Nov 16 - 05:42 PM (#3818022)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST,android4

Something like "na h-Oichnaic"


03 Nov 16 - 06:22 PM (#3818027)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: Rusty Dobro

It was nice while it lasted, but after nearly ten years, 'Trembling Wheelbarrows' has been vacated by its elderly incumbents.I can throw in a rail of coloured waistcoats, a string of plastic garlic, a false moustache and many very old jokes as part of the deal....


03 Nov 16 - 07:44 PM (#3818040)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST,Sol

Don't know if this has already been suggested but how's about
"MISTRAL"


04 Nov 16 - 04:36 AM (#3818061)
Subject: RE: Band name help please
From: GUEST,Pete Kiddle

As long as I can remember, I've always longed to call a band ' Jay Cloth and the Wheel Scrubbers' - Seen on a poster at a garage in Neath, South Wales