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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: emdasher on July 19, 2008, 06:35:02 PM

Title: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emdasher on July 19, 2008, 06:35:02 PM
A friend of mine wrote a screenplay in which she mocked the silliness of emo/screamo culture. So naturally, when band names like Scary Kids Scaring Kids popped up, I assumed she had made them up for comic effect. She hadn't.

Turns out this particular sub-genre is fertile ground for unbelievably terrible band names. Killbrand? Pierce the Veil? Breathe Carolina? Is this supposed to be some sort of in-joke, or are bands actually giving themselves these names in earnest?

It could be that ANY name a screamo band calls itself is going to sound terrible, and that good bands are more easily forgiven for having bad names. Or maybe the music itself has nothing to do with this.

What are the worst band names ever? And, what are the best bands with the worst names?
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: yesno on July 19, 2008, 06:47:23 PM
On topic, while metal is the usual culprit I have a special hatred of punning ska band names. I shan't type them here.

Off topic, "veil piercing" is an important corporate law concept, but it's "reverse veil piercing" that really gets me giggling.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 19, 2008, 07:01:28 PM
Breathe Carolina?

Reminds me of Shallow, North Dakota who were from Hamilton, ON, not ND.  Anyway, I liked them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51icu_dPeIo

Weird and bad band names certainly aren't anything new or specific to one genre.

Also, for yesno:   :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwcDGJ3pVHU
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: AllisonLeGnome on July 19, 2008, 07:02:14 PM
You.May.Die.in.the.Desert is pretty bad.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 19, 2008, 07:07:59 PM
Take out the periods and it wouldn't be quite so obnoxious.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emdasher on July 19, 2008, 07:14:00 PM
I remember a slight twinge of embarrassment when I bought The New Pornographers' first album in 2000. Admittedly I was just entering my teenage years at the time, so for me that was tantamount to a sexual awakening.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emdasher on July 19, 2008, 07:16:05 PM
Take out the periods and it wouldn't be quite so obnoxious.


Bands with excessive punctuation in their name are easy targets. Sunn 0))).
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 19, 2008, 07:21:17 PM
Sunn 0))) is a great name, I think.

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emdasher on July 19, 2008, 07:25:32 PM
Sunn 0))) is a great name, I think.



How about the 5.6.7.8's?

I like Stellastarr* but hate their name.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 19, 2008, 07:31:49 PM
How about the 5.6.7.8's?

Pretty bad.   :-\ 

Kinda reminds me of 764-HERO which were named after the (still) phone number for reporting carpool lane violators in Washington State.  Even though I "get" the name, I still never cared much for it.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: samir on July 19, 2008, 09:11:51 PM
Off topic, "veil piercing" is an important corporate law concept, but it's "reverse veil piercing" that really gets me giggling.

Spring 08 flashbacks... Gross!

The Onion's annual compilation of bad band names is always a good read. http://www.avclub.com/content/node/71396
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: AllisonLeGnome on July 19, 2008, 09:19:43 PM
The Onion's annual compilation of bad band names is always a good read. http://www.avclub.com/content/node/71396

Thanks for reminding me about The Wonder Years. How did their album Get Stoked on It! possibly only get one star (http://www.punknews.org/review/6787)? (My favorite thing on those sorts of reviews is always the fan who finds it a year after it was published and long buried in the archives and feels the need to tell everyone else how they just don't appreciate the genius of the band in question.)
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emma on July 19, 2008, 11:34:19 PM
I think I might have said this sometime in the chat or in a thread or something, but I once had a friend in a techno-ska band called "Fuck You". Seriously. We had a ridiculous number of arguments (after he had t-shirts made) about whether this was the best or the worst idea ever. I am still unsure.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Dan B on July 19, 2008, 11:43:04 PM
I think the techno-ska part might be the worst idea.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 19, 2008, 11:51:17 PM
techno-ska band called "Fuck You".

Holy moley, that's like an idea borne in the sixth circle of hell.   :D 
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emma on July 20, 2008, 12:32:45 AM
I think the techno-ska part might be the worst idea.

I think I figured it was easier to convince someone that they had picked an awful band name than to convince them they had picked an awful band.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Emerson on July 20, 2008, 03:57:17 AM
I think the techno-ska part might be the worst idea.

I think I figured it was easier to convince someone that they had picked an awful band name than to convince them they had picked an awful band.

A friend of mine in Asheville called his band "The Mathmatics," because he was drunk when he designed the flyer.

I'd take that over Does That Offend You Yeah?, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsen, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah or Saturday Looks Good To Me. If you can't think of a one- or two-word name, or if you think a "funny" name is going to help, the world doesn't need your band.

I stay away from Hot Topic, Autumn Ashes Die Death screamo because it's clearly not intended for me. But I've never heard any genre of music that's simultaneously that stupid and that not-fun.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: TL on July 20, 2008, 09:09:22 AM
I think the techno-ska part might be the worst idea.

I think I figured it was easier to convince someone that they had picked an awful band name than to convince them they had picked an awful band.

A friend of mine in Asheville called his band "The Mathmatics," because he was drunk when he designed the flyer.

I'd take that over Does That Offend You Yeah?, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsen, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah or Saturday Looks Good To Me. If you can't think of a one- or two-word name, or if you think a "funny" name is going to help, the world doesn't need your band.

I stay away from Hot Topic, Autumn Ashes Die Death screamo because it's clearly not intended for me. But I've never heard any genre of music that's simultaneously that stupid and that not-fun.

You just said a mouthful - OF TRUTH!

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Vambo on July 20, 2008, 09:55:36 AM
Best band with a horrendous name:

Masters of Reality

Best band with a name I haven't been able to decide whether or not is horrendous:

Rhinobucket
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: cutout on July 20, 2008, 10:34:38 AM
I just Googled for "I hate you the ghost of anwar sadat" and found this blog...

http://18rabbitscircleblog.blogspot.com/

...which is probably owned by a prominent FoT, but I'm not in the loop enough to know who.

Quote
I think the techno-ska part might be the worst idea.

No worse than skambient.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: cutout on July 20, 2008, 10:36:22 AM
Damn. Google confirms I did not just make up "skambient".
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 20, 2008, 07:09:05 PM
Damn. Google confirms I did not just make up "skambient".

Results 1 - 9 of 9 for skambient

That's hilarious.   :D
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emdasher on July 20, 2008, 07:39:38 PM
I can't decide if knowing the origin of a band's name makes me like it more or less.

From Wikipedia:

"Bettie Serveert are a Dutch indie-rock band. Their name translates to "Bettie Serves," and is taken from a Dutch television program, hosted by Dutch tennis player Bettie Stöve, who made it to the Wimbledon Ladies singles final in 1977."

Oh.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: samir on July 20, 2008, 07:59:52 PM
I just Googled for "I hate you the ghost of anwar sadat" and found this blog...
http://18rabbitscircleblog.blogspot.com/
...which is probably owned by a prominent FoT, but I'm not in the loop enough to know who.

that'll be linus from south south newbridge.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 20, 2008, 08:12:17 PM
The only real problem with the name Bettie Serveert is that I'm sure many people assume that it's the lead singer's name when it is not.  In and of itself it isn't a bad name though.

I'd probably rate Bettie high as a name due for a comeback even.  Good name.

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Beth on July 20, 2008, 08:21:35 PM
I just came up with a band name: PizzaWire.  Pretty terrible


Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Beth on July 20, 2008, 08:23:54 PM
Oh, Vampire Weekend. Ugh.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Stan on July 20, 2008, 09:42:11 PM
Ludichrist, who eventually changed their name to Scatterbrain:

[youtube]tb5ug-uSE8I[/youtube]

[youtube]sEr8SYqTc3s[/youtube]
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on July 20, 2008, 10:02:26 PM
Back to names with a lot of punctuation,  !!! annoys me. It would have helped if I liked their music, but I sold the album back within a week.

Best band with a horrendous name:

Masters of Reality

Don't forget Neutral Milk Hotel. One of my favorite bands, but I think their name dissuaded me from listening to them for quite some time.

IMHO, the worst name of a band EVER:  Vertical Horizon.  That sounds like a name I would have come up with in 9th grade. 

Speaking of which, someone should start a thread about names of bands they were in in high school...if it hasn't been done already.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: John Junk 2.0 on July 21, 2008, 12:14:12 AM
terrible band name, terrific album cover:
(http://www.humandeath.de/Multimedia/Repka_Uncle_will.jpg)

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: dave from knoxville on July 21, 2008, 06:40:50 AM
My favorite band name ever? 4 out of 5 Doctors.

I just assume that every band name came from that William Burroughs novel. It makes it easier.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Sploops on July 21, 2008, 07:57:34 AM
I don't know if Anal Cunt is a ludicrously terrible or ludicrously awesome band name but it certainly is ludicrous.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: TL on July 21, 2008, 08:43:54 AM
Ludichrist, who eventually changed their name to Scatterbrain:

And got, -ulp- "funky."

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: cutout on July 21, 2008, 08:58:25 AM
My friend T used to spend a lot of time thinking up ludicrously bad band names. Names that weren't content to just be meaningless, but were just evocative of absolutely nothing, visually, symbolically or otherwise. Names no band in their right mind would advertise.

Our favorite was always: "Mister Kayak".
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: yesno on July 21, 2008, 09:38:36 AM
I've seen A.C. live. They were not that intense.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: gravy boat on July 21, 2008, 09:45:47 AM
Back to names with a lot of punctuation,  !!! annoys me. It would have helped if I liked their music, but I sold the album back within a week.


Something must fall apart in the recording for them (their albums didn't stick with me either) but I remember seeing them live twice* and they were amazing.  All 34 of 'em.

For some reason the name TV on the Radio bugs me.

* Once a couple of sets before the Turlet song guy at Siren in 2002(?).

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: todd on July 21, 2008, 09:55:22 AM
I just saw !!! live Saturday. Ew boy. I wanted to throw a brick at the singer when he started doing his awful dances.

Dancey hipster garbage, if'n you ask me.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: courtney on July 21, 2008, 10:59:56 AM
My friend T used to spend a lot of time thinking up ludicrously bad band names. Names that weren't content to just be meaningless, but were just evocative of absolutely nothing, visually, symbolically or otherwise. Names no band in their right mind would advertise.

Our favorite was always: "Mister Kayak".


My friends and I still do that occasionally.
We were recently trying to decide which is worse: Puppy Ciao! or The Angels of Memory.

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: cutout on July 21, 2008, 11:21:04 AM
The Velvet Undergrads
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Phantom Hugger on July 21, 2008, 12:03:08 PM
Critters Buggin'

of the Frank Zappa school of overly pedigreed musical zaniness.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 21, 2008, 01:16:39 PM
I've seen A.C. live. They were not that intense.

< 30 second songs pretty much never seem as intense live as they do on a record.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Martin on July 21, 2008, 01:19:30 PM
Classic:

The Canonical List of Weird Band Names (http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/weirdbandnames/)

Endless fun.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Pat K on July 21, 2008, 01:59:29 PM
Wow, how did I miss this thread?


The Onion's annual compilation of bad band names is always a good read. http://www.avclub.com/content/node/71396

My friend knows somebody in Comanche Abortion. I used to go see Let's French all the time in DC. I liked em pretty good.



I'd take that over Does That Offend You Yeah?, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsen, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah or Saturday Looks Good To Me.

Any band name that is a complete sentence is terrible. My hometown of Buffalo's pride and joy right now is an emo band called Cute Is What We Aim For. That band called I Am The World Trade Center used to really piss me off with their name, but I think something might have made them change it. But Does It Offend You, Yeah? gets my vote for all-time worst band name ever. I'd be embarrased to speak that name aloud to someone.


I used to have a fake metal band that I would post flyers around for called "FEEDBAG", with an umlaut over the "a". Maybe it's time they reunited.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: John Junk 2.0 on July 21, 2008, 02:16:10 PM
I Am The World Trade Center would piss me off with their terrible name AND their terrible music.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 21, 2008, 02:16:51 PM
"Wolf" bands beat "Yeah" bands, hands down. 

As far as sentence-like band names, I actually like the name Godspeed! You Black Emperor. 

Part of it was that post-rock reaction against the proliferation of one-word object or verb band names back in the nineties, I think.  Those seemed fine at first but definitely got old as the related cliches set in.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emdasher on July 21, 2008, 06:14:00 PM
The only real problem with the name Bettie Serveert is that I'm sure many people assume that it's the lead singer's name when it is not.

Band names that could just as easily refer to the singer of the band as they could to the band as a whole are annoying. Like, Alison Goldfrapp sings in the electronic group named Goldfrapp. But Feist is just Leslie Feist.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Joe Rogaine on July 21, 2008, 06:19:56 PM
Arctic Monkeys. That name is just awful.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on July 21, 2008, 08:44:23 PM
Classic:

The Canonical List of Weird Band Names (http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/weirdbandnames/)

Endless fun.

You made my week, Martin. Thank you.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 21, 2008, 09:57:30 PM
REO Speeddealer was such an excellent name.  Too bad they had to change it.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: dania on July 21, 2008, 10:12:59 PM
People With Chairs Up Their Noses

Organica

and Colostomy Grab-Bag are all pretty terrible. 
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Beth on July 21, 2008, 11:39:48 PM
The only real problem with the name Bettie Serveert is that I'm sure many people assume that it's the lead singer's name when it is not.

Band names that could just as easily refer to the singer of the band as they could to the band as a whole are annoying. Like, Alison Goldfrapp sings in the electronic group named Goldfrapp. But Feist is just Leslie Feist.

I hate when bands use their last name. Just use your whole name. It's not that long.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Josh on July 22, 2008, 03:02:37 PM
Goblin Cock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goblin_Cock).
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: AllisonLeGnome on July 26, 2008, 10:59:39 PM
I was just reminded of one my least favorite names and had to share:

Star Fucking Hipsters
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: mokin on July 27, 2008, 06:34:57 AM
I was just reminded of one my least favorite names and had to share:

Star Fucking Hipsters

The Dandy Warhols changed their name?
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Amplituden on July 27, 2008, 09:49:57 AM
I played guitar in a band in high school that had the worst name ever.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you DEAD MINNOW BUCKET!!

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/amplituden/deadminnow.jpg)
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: TL on July 27, 2008, 10:07:42 AM
I played guitar in a band in high school that had the worst name ever.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you DEAD MINNOW BUCKET!!

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/amplituden/deadminnow.jpg)

Close, but I know a guy who was in a band in high school called "The Sexual Fish."
I'm pretty sure that's worse.

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: mokin on July 27, 2008, 01:09:45 PM
I played guitar in a band in high school that had the worst name ever.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you DEAD MINNOW BUCKET!!

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/amplituden/deadminnow.jpg)

Were you a Dave Matthews Band cover band?
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: John Junk 2.0 on July 27, 2008, 02:38:05 PM
Dead Minnow Bucket!  Amazing.

Please indulge me as I wax nostalgic:

I was in bands in middle school and high school, all with terrible names:

Succubus     changed to
Felix Stubble    changed to
Amixia   (the worst of all!)
I was constantly fighting with the other members of the above bands.  My tastes were this weird mix of They Might Be Giants and, like, Native Nod.  They all really liked Faith No More and Metallica.  Our keyboardist was the biggest Aerosmith fan I've ever met. 

Then I joined a band called Subminded (also really bad name!!  Doesn't even mean anything) and then we changed our name to Gum Adder (still pretty bad but not as bad).

After college I started a band with some friends called My Three Dads (wtf??!!) .

The Tokeleys was a pretty bad band name too.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: KickTheBobo on July 27, 2008, 03:11:46 PM
my early bands had names that I am almost embarrassed to type. yes, I came up with most of them.

The End
- crappy punk/hardcore influenced non-music.

CutThroat - feeble attempt at being youth-crew style bro-core. standout track: "Shut Up!" a song criticizing white power skins (I don't think we had even had any in-person experience with any, this being middle-class suburbia)

Common Ground - a more "posi" retooling of the previous band. still terrible.

28 Dollars - I was playing with a different set of folks now, and we were now doing Lookout! style pop-punk. Actually had some decent tunes. The name came from an experience we had at a late night diner where a drunken lady came over to our table and told us that a trucker at the other table wanted to have sex with "the one with the eyebrows" (meaning either me or Brian T.) He stated that he would pay $28 for this. After I left this group, they really got into listening to Gish and lsd and changed their name to 28 Days. I got them a gig playing live on Pat Duncan's through Dave Parasite, whose terribly-named band I was kind of in for a few months when I was at Seton Hall (just a handful of practices, no shows).

Litterbox - terrible dumb punk music.

I think I have blocked out a few more.


Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: yesno on July 27, 2008, 03:15:07 PM
After college I started a band with some friends called My Three Dads (wtf??!!) .

This is a good band name.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: John Junk 2.0 on July 27, 2008, 03:42:44 PM
After college I started a band with some friends called My Three Dads (wtf??!!) .

This is a good band name.

Keep in mind, this is well before Mamma Mia came out.

KtB, I love the story for 28 Dollars.  and them going in a pumpkins direction and changing it to 28 Days is perfect/horrible.  They should do a reunion show and the flier should say "28 Days...Later!"
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Turf Out on July 27, 2008, 04:42:28 PM
Bob Seger
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: TL on July 27, 2008, 07:04:34 PM
I got them a gig playing live on Pat Duncan's through Dave Parasite, whose terribly-named band I was kind of in for a few months when I was at Seton Hall (just a handful of practices, no shows).

O.k. - stop - this is better than any Chinatown reveal - you were in the PARASITES??
Once when Chisel (oh yeah - talk about bad band names - I was in a band called "Chisel" - WTF?) was doing Pat's show, Dave got so mad at me for goofing around on an older song of theirs that apparently "the other guy" had written, that he stormed out of the session and was never all that friendly toward me again!
It's sad - I liked him.
(Parasites - "Pair of Sides," though?  Can we start a bad album title thread?)


Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: KickTheBobo on July 27, 2008, 08:05:27 PM
I got them a gig playing live on Pat Duncan's through Dave Parasite, whose terribly-named band I was kind of in for a few months when I was at Seton Hall (just a handful of practices, no shows).

O.k. - stop - this is better than any Chinatown reveal - you were in the PARASITES??
Once when Chisel (oh yeah - talk about bad band names - I was in a band called "Chisel" - WTF?) was doing Pat's show, Dave got so mad at me for goofing around on an older song of theirs that apparently "the other guy" had written, that he stormed out of the session and was never all that friendly toward me again!
It's sad - I liked him.
(Parasites - "Pair of Sides," though?  Can we start a bad album title thread?)


yeah, it was only for a little bit, and didn't really go anywhere. That dude could write a pop hook though, I tells ya! The 'other' guy, I believe was the DeeDee character, and I guess they had a falling out after many years together, and now Dave was trying to reform the band. I think he relocated to SF later on and actually got a lineup together.

I gotta give Dave Parasite props for introducing me to wfmu.

another fun fact: the first 'real' show that Common Ground played was at Under the Hut in Olneyville. I do believe that a band called Citizen's Arrest played later in the evening. I bought their 7".
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: TL on July 27, 2008, 09:46:49 PM
I got them a gig playing live on Pat Duncan's through Dave Parasite, whose terribly-named band I was kind of in for a few months when I was at Seton Hall (just a handful of practices, no shows).

O.k. - stop - this is better than any Chinatown reveal - you were in the PARASITES??
Once when Chisel (oh yeah - talk about bad band names - I was in a band called "Chisel" - WTF?) was doing Pat's show, Dave got so mad at me for goofing around on an older song of theirs that apparently "the other guy" had written, that he stormed out of the session and was never all that friendly toward me again!
It's sad - I liked him.
(Parasites - "Pair of Sides," though?  Can we start a bad album title thread?)


yeah, it was only for a little bit, and didn't really go anywhere. That dude could write a pop hook though, I tells ya! The 'other' guy, I believe was the DeeDee character, and I guess they had a falling out after many years together, and now Dave was trying to reform the band. I think he relocated to SF later on and actually got a lineup together.

I gotta give Dave Parasite props for introducing me to wfmu.

another fun fact: the first 'real' show that Common Ground played was at Under the Hut in Olneyville. I do believe that a band called Citizen's Arrest played later in the evening. I bought their 7".

My mind= blown.
How come we've never talked about this before??

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: dave from knoxville on July 27, 2008, 11:01:17 PM
Momentum Flux.

Our two best songs?

"Run Midget Run" and "Six and a Half Shooter".

I was only 19!
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: KickTheBobo on July 27, 2008, 11:33:34 PM

My mind= blown.
How come we've never talked about this before??


oh that's just an odd little footnote I realized awhile back. small world.


Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: AllisonLeGnome on July 28, 2008, 05:34:06 PM
I think a new low may have been reached:

Rectal Thermom&dad (http://www.myspace.com/rectalthermomdad)
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emdasher on July 28, 2008, 06:04:20 PM
I think a new low may have been reached:

Rectal Thermom&dad (http://www.myspace.com/rectalthermomdad)

That name took some work to be that bad, so I almost half respect it.

Last night I had the weirdest dream that I was in a GWAR-style shock rock band called Punch, complete with grotesque costumes and a debut album entitled "Spiked!"
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: andrew in philadelphia on July 28, 2008, 09:39:22 PM
the anarchist vampire.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=61120201
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: courtney on July 28, 2008, 09:45:13 PM
While I disagree, my boyfriend wants me to put my fake band name "Bron-coitus" in this thread.


I think it's a GREAT band name, but .....


There was also a short-lived band here in Lincoln called Duran Duran Duran.


I thought that was great, too, but ....



Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on July 29, 2008, 02:32:54 AM
Didn't there used to be a band called Sirhan Duran?
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Pat K on July 29, 2008, 09:34:54 AM
Abe Vigoda.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: courtney on July 29, 2008, 10:38:28 AM
I've heard of a band called "Du-Du-Ran-Ran-Ran Du-Du-Ran-Ran", too. Don't remember where, though. A dream?

Abe Vigoda.
One o' my bands played with those guys last year. I got an Abe Vigoda shirt with a big drawing of these 2 creeepy-looking kids on the front. I really just wanted a shirt that said "Abe Vigoda". When I wear it I always get a "What the hell is that" look from people.

The music's actually pretty fun and so are the guys.

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: <<<<< on July 29, 2008, 10:53:19 AM
I seem to recall Donna Summer playing Duran Duran Duran a few times.  Pretty great name for an act.  Techno, right?

Abe Vigoda is a pretty cute name too.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Pat K on July 29, 2008, 11:42:43 AM
Abe Vigoda.
One o' my bands played with those guys last year. I got an Abe Vigoda shirt with a big drawing of these 2 creeepy-looking kids on the front. I really just wanted a shirt that said "Abe Vigoda". When I wear it I always get a "What the hell is that" look from people.

The music's actually pretty fun and so are the guys.


Yeah, I dig on their album.  I think they go in the same category as Times New Viking as Great Band/Poorly Thought-Out Name.

I just realized my own personal number one for this thread is, though. A band that's gigging around my town now: Jazzbollah. Like, instead of Hezbollah, get it? 'Cause their jazz is so INTENSE!
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emma on July 29, 2008, 01:22:10 PM
1: JAZBOLLAH! Oh my goodness, is all I can say about that.

2: John Campbell, who I am sort of internet-in-love-with, did a comic for Questionable Content that made me think of this thread:
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (http://www.questionablecontent.net/comics/1196.png)
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: iAmBaronVonTito on July 29, 2008, 02:05:56 PM
1: JAZBOLLAH! Oh my goodness, is all I can say about that.

2: John Campbell, who I am sort of internet-in-love-with, did a comic for Questionable Content that made me think of this thread:
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (http://www.questionablecontent.net/comics/1196.png)

that comic spells RELEVANT to this thread.  nice find.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Turf Out on July 29, 2008, 03:12:34 PM
While I disagree, my boyfriend wants me to put my fake band name "Bron-coitus" in this thread.


I think it's a GREAT band name, but .....


There was also a short-lived band here in Lincoln called Duran Duran Duran.


I thought that was great, too, but ....





i used to get a chuckle from the names of lincoln bands opium taylor and urethra franklin.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Martin on July 29, 2008, 03:49:42 PM
Real or not, I enjoy band names like Nat King Kong, John Cougar Concentration Camp, Jesus Chrysler Supercar, Lee Harvey Keitel, etc. Puns!

I also like "xx and the zz" bands, like Barbecue Bob and the Spare Ribs, Norman Bates and the Shower Heads, Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellas, Pope John Paul Quartet with Friends and Blowers on the Rocks, etc.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Pat K on July 29, 2008, 03:53:01 PM
Real or not, I enjoy band names like Nat King Kong, John Cougar Concentration Camp, Jesus Chrysler Supercar, Lee Harvey Keitel, etc. Puns!

I also like "xx and the zz" bands, like Barbecue Bob and the Spare Ribs, Norman Bates and the Shower Heads, Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellas, Pope John Paul Quartet with Friends and Blowers on the Rocks, etc.

Nat King Kong I would go see based on the name alone.

The key element of "xx and the zz" band names are that the zz be related to the xx. There's some kind of weird zone in my brain where if I hear one of those that is related, it's completely delightful to me, but if I hear one that isn't related, it's inexplicably irritating.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Turf Out on July 29, 2008, 04:15:48 PM
Real or not, I enjoy band names like Nat King Kong, John Cougar Concentration Camp, Jesus Chrysler Supercar, Lee Harvey Keitel, etc. Puns!

I also like "xx and the zz" bands, like Barbecue Bob and the Spare Ribs, Norman Bates and the Shower Heads, Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellas, Pope John Paul Quartet with Friends and Blowers on the Rocks, etc.

man i LOVE pun band names WAY too much.

REO speedealer!?! hilarious!
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: courtney on July 29, 2008, 04:23:06 PM
i used to get a chuckle from the names of lincoln bands opium taylor and urethra franklin.

Ahhhh ... the good ol' days ....
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Turf Out on July 29, 2008, 04:26:08 PM
i used to get a chuckle from the names of lincoln bands opium taylor and urethra franklin.

Ahhhh ... the good ol' days ....

i'm still stuck in those old days; sideshow, mercy rule, mousetrap, etc..
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: cavorting with nudists on December 09, 2011, 06:44:57 PM
The Onion AV Club's annual review of terrible band names is out, a survey of wince-inducing nomenclature that buggers all description: http://www.avclub.com/articles/2011-the-year-in-band-names,66284/ (http://www.avclub.com/articles/2011-the-year-in-band-names,66284/)

Mit Hamine doesn't make the list. ("Hazmat Modine" is phonemically the closest.) Losers couldn't even come up with something impressively annoying enough to be placed on a level with "Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!" or "Trippple Nippples."
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: dudep on December 10, 2011, 05:56:22 PM
Cavorting with nudists, thanks for unearthing this great thread.  Some truly hilarious and awful entries.

Full disclosure: I was once in a band called "unnecessary buffness."
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Dan of Orange on December 10, 2011, 10:00:41 PM
Anyone done 'Ted Dancin' yet?
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: cavorting with nudists on December 10, 2011, 10:15:05 PM
Of course they have: http://www.myspace.com/ted_dancin (http://www.myspace.com/ted_dancin)

Wait--was this a setup?  Are YOU Ted Dancin'?
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Dan of Orange on December 11, 2011, 12:14:54 AM
I meant has anyone mentioned 'Ted Dancin'. It's a great/awful one. 
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: emma on December 11, 2011, 06:02:02 PM
A friend of mine used to be in a band called "Sudden Infant Dance Syndrome." Which is obviously terrible, but also maybe sort of the best?

Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: ted_ on December 11, 2011, 06:59:27 PM
Hobbits of the Shire would qualify, I think. They were a power/melodic-death-ish metal band from Austin, TX, but I don't think they took themselves too seriously.

The AV Club included them on an old "worst band names of the year" list (2008?) and they prominently featured the link on their Myspace page (when that was a thing).
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: hardweek on December 12, 2011, 10:44:25 AM
My favorite best/worst bandname was an Alberta band in the late eighties/early nineties called Grandpa's Magik Pinecone.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: cavorting with nudists on January 29, 2012, 10:16:12 AM
I am mortified to report that I am kind of getting into this Sun City Girls-associated band from Seattle that plays pretty groovy psychedelicized versions of Southeastern Asian ritual music. Mortified, because in their wisdom they took the name "Master Musicians of [word for revolting practice popularized by gross Japanese porn--bllllaaaagggh, I can't go on]"
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Chrissy in MN on January 29, 2012, 12:11:08 PM
I despise the band name Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Just hate.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Barry in Ireland on January 29, 2012, 02:00:40 PM
I've got your ludicrously terrible band names right here.

An Emotional Fish.

Sultans of Ping F. C.

Goats Don't Shave.

Apologies if these have come up already.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: ChrisRawk on January 30, 2012, 01:34:46 PM
Years ago I was slated to open for a touring band called From Bubblegum to Sky.  I never heard the band but the name always stuck with me because of how weird and awful it sounded.

In high school I played in a band called the Radioactive Mushrooms.  I was all-out punk/Ramones, the bass player was into jam bands and the drummer hated everything except Van Halen.  We weren't that good.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Keith Whitener on January 30, 2012, 11:25:10 PM
Has anyone said Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus?
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on January 31, 2012, 10:40:03 AM
Has anyone said Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus?

Or Shitty Shitty Band Band?
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Barry in Ireland on January 31, 2012, 11:33:15 AM


In high school I played in a band called the Radioactive Mushrooms.  I was all-out punk/Ramones, the bass player was into jam bands and the drummer hated everything except Van Halen.  We weren't that good.

I would genuinely like to hear how that sounded.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: mostlymeat on January 31, 2012, 11:47:10 AM


In high school I played in a band called the Radioactive Mushrooms.  I was all-out punk/Ramones, the bass player was into jam bands and the drummer hated everything except Van Halen.  We weren't that good.

I would genuinely like to hear how that sounded.

My first band was called "Hemposaurus" and the drummer liked the name so much he got a tattoo of a dinosaur smoking a doob.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: mostlymeat on January 31, 2012, 12:30:23 PM
Has anyone said Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus?

Or Shitty Shitty Band Band?

Shitty Shitty was (is?) a fun party band, you can't fault them for having a goofy name!
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: ChrisRawk on February 02, 2012, 04:17:27 PM


In high school I played in a band called the Radioactive Mushrooms.  I was all-out punk/Ramones, the bass player was into jam bands and the drummer hated everything except Van Halen.  We weren't that good.

I would genuinely like to hear how that sounded.

Oh man, to revisit those demos (if they exist).  I can tell you that we did covers of both 'Third Stone From The Sun' AND 'Molly's Lips'.  I remember frustratingly trying to get them to learn a Poison Idea song to no avail.  Also included were some of my earliest songwriting attempts.  Our overall sound was the sound of teenagers disagreeing.  Our break up was basically the three of us admitting we were terrible.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Jack from Arkansas on February 08, 2012, 06:13:06 PM
Dump Truck Butterlips
Funkle Sam
Ani Defranco
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: badgrammer on February 09, 2012, 09:53:20 AM
CLOUD CULT.  I involuntarily shudder/cringe everytime I hear that name said aloud.

I also came across a band recently called RED WANTING BLUE. I'm afraid a blood vessel might burst in my brain if I spend too much time thinking about that one (and what it could possibly mean).

Also, yes -thank you for unearthing this thread!
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: mike_b on February 09, 2012, 07:26:17 PM
This guy Mike I kinda know is a recovering drug addict who teaches English in Sao Paolo.  He's a great musician.  He played all the instruments himself.  He also has the absolute worst band name in the world.  Download his EP's.

I can't even type this band name.
http://aidsinyerear.bandcamp.com/ (http://aidsinyerear.bandcamp.com/)
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: cavorting with nudists on February 09, 2012, 08:53:07 PM
This guy Mike I kinda know is a recovering drug addict who teaches English in Sao Paolo.  He's a great musician.  He played all the instruments himself.  He also has the absolute worst band name in the world.  Download his EP's.

I can't even type this band name.
http://aidsinyerear.bandcamp.com/ (http://aidsinyerear.bandcamp.com/)

GG LIVES!!!

Props for the "Devotional" tag.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: Paul DeLouisiana on February 10, 2012, 11:06:09 AM
Not a band name but the term "Krautrock" is repulsive to me.

Also the band name Tarkus and Dokken. I must not like the letter "K"
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: dave from knoxville on February 10, 2012, 04:58:23 PM
There was a band called Tarkus? Is there a band called Love Beach?
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: mackro on February 12, 2012, 04:58:14 AM
Taste Of My Love: The ELP Love Beach Tribute Band
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: cavorting with nudists on August 10, 2012, 05:04:05 AM
I just woke up from a dream with one: Marianas Trench Foot.

Amazingly, no Google hits.  You can have it, no fee, just points.
Title: Re: Ludicrously terrible band names
Post by: zaxxon25 on August 15, 2012, 10:25:28 AM
I highlight one of these every week on my radio show ... there's always at least one egregiously bad band name playing in town.  Extra points for using the word "funk" or ones that are like a "Before & After" clue on Wheel of Fortune.  Here's 10 from the past 5 years ...

Banana Phonetic
Dirigible Ego
Fordoes Me Quite
Keep Me Conscious
Old Men Playing Chess
People With Instruments
Sex Wing Starfighter
Teenage Penis & The Herpes
Tumble Cat Poof Poofy Poof
Your Mother's Crotch

... and there's oh so many more.