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Band names have been a source of speculation since the very beginning. In many interviews, the question "where does the band name come from? What does it mean" appears. Besides, many bands prefer a name in their own language or even better, a local dialect. That results in tongue-twisters like "Paracoccidioidomicosisproctitissarcomucosis" (a Mexican grindcore band) or "Archaeopteryx Ultraavantgarda" (a krautrock band).
I've been fascinated with band names since I got obsessed with music. I've seen a lot of weird, unexplainable and unpronouncable names in my life. And, since I'm a writer for a music magazine, I thought it would be a good idea to create a series dedicated to the wonderful art of naming your band. In these series we translate, speculate, remember, look up and sometimes even ask the band about it.
For those who wonder: the logo on the shirt in the picture above says "Hljómsveitin Nafn", which, according to Google Translate is Icelandic for "band name".
I've been fascinated with band names since I got obsessed with music. I've seen a lot of weird, unexplainable and unpronouncable names in my life. And, since I'm a writer for a music magazine, I thought it would be a good idea to create a series dedicated to the wonderful art of naming your band. In these series we translate, speculate, remember, look up and sometimes even ask the band about it.
For those who wonder: the logo on the shirt in the picture above says "Hljómsveitin Nafn", which, according to Google Translate is Icelandic for "band name".
Alkerdeel
Let's kick of with the very band that inspired me to start writing these series, Belgian blackened sludge horde Alkerdeel. You know, the guys with the farting demon on the cover who blasted everyone's mind at the most recent edition of Desertfest Antwerp (read).
Alkerdeel is one of those bands that searched through their own dialect to find their name. They were looking for a strong sounding word with a special kind of meaning, something that would fit their filthy, raunchy sound. Eventually, they ended up naming themselves Alkerdeel, which is "Zomergems" for "shit car", something like this:
Alkerdeel is one of those bands that searched through their own dialect to find their name. They were looking for a strong sounding word with a special kind of meaning, something that would fit their filthy, raunchy sound. Eventually, they ended up naming themselves Alkerdeel, which is "Zomergems" for "shit car", something like this:
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Tarnkappe
A few days ago, Wagner sent in his review for the new album by Dutch black metal horde Tarnkappe (read). Later that day, a friend of mine read it and tried to find a meaning for the band name. We googled a bit, eventually coming across the German version of Wikipedia.
Apparently, the word "tarnkappe" translates as "cloak of invisibility". I know, maybe not as surprising or shocking as "shit car" but still, it has something mythical and it's an excellent word for a black metal band. Besides, I'm quite enjoying the album as well.
Apparently, the word "tarnkappe" translates as "cloak of invisibility". I know, maybe not as surprising or shocking as "shit car" but still, it has something mythical and it's an excellent word for a black metal band. Besides, I'm quite enjoying the album as well.
Led Zeppelin
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Iconic rock band Led Zeppelin took their name from a synonym for "bad idea". Back in the days, the phrase "A lead balloon" was used to describe something that just had to go wrong.
After being invited to drum for the band, Keith Moon uttered the phrase "lead zeppelin", claiming it would be a very, very, very bad idea. Shortly after, they decided to pick it as their name and throw in a typo (probably inspiring Def Leppard to do the same years later). |
Metallica & Depeche Mode: Thieves
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Two of the most iconic bands in the world in their respective genre have one thing in common, they're thieves. Metallica was actually one of two possible names for a metal magazine, written and printed by a friend of Lars. Lars adviced to go with "Metal Mania" because he thought "Metallica" would be a good name for this new band he just started, at least better than "Blitzer".
A similar story with synthpop pioneers Depeche Mode, who stole their name from a French fashion magazine. The name pretty much translates as "fashion news". But, stolen or not, when Dava Gahan entered the band, everything changed for the people who called their previous bands No Romance in China, Norman & the Worms, French Look & Composition of Sound
A similar story with synthpop pioneers Depeche Mode, who stole their name from a French fashion magazine. The name pretty much translates as "fashion news". But, stolen or not, when Dava Gahan entered the band, everything changed for the people who called their previous bands No Romance in China, Norman & the Worms, French Look & Composition of Sound
Bathsheba
This Belgian doom metal band has been one of thé revelations in 2015. Personally, I'm eagerly awaiting their upcoming album and a few gigs in support of it. But where does their name come from?
Well, for this, we have to reach our bibles. Bathsheba is also called "daughter of the oath". She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, and afterward of David, by whom she gave birth to Solomon, who succeeded David as king.
Well, for this, we have to reach our bibles. Bathsheba is also called "daughter of the oath". She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, and afterward of David, by whom she gave birth to Solomon, who succeeded David as king.
Apparently, her story is more lustful and exciting than "50 Shades Of Grey". It's a tale of adultery, punishment and revenge. But you can read all about that here.
Another story:
Bathsheba Sherman was the evil spectre of an 1800's devil worshipper, and was the main antagonist of the 2013 movie The Conjuring, based on the "true" story of the Haunting in Harrisville, Rhode Island. Read more about that here.
Of course, un-biblical and only vaguely interested in movies as I am, for me there's only one Bathsheba, and that one sounds like this:
Another story:
Bathsheba Sherman was the evil spectre of an 1800's devil worshipper, and was the main antagonist of the 2013 movie The Conjuring, based on the "true" story of the Haunting in Harrisville, Rhode Island. Read more about that here.
Of course, un-biblical and only vaguely interested in movies as I am, for me there's only one Bathsheba, and that one sounds like this:
KMFDM
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In the category of abbreviations, we find German industrial group KMFDM. Apparently, some people think the letters stand for "Kill Mother Fucking Depeche Mode". However, the truth is, KMFDM stands for "Kein Mehrheit Für Die Mitleid", loosely translated by the band as "No Pity For The Majority"
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Nephrolith
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In the category "I was not expecting that", comes Slovenian avant-garde metal act Nephrolith, also from an earlier published review (read). Apparently, a nephrolith looks like this an hurts like hell:
It's a kidney stone, perhaps not very black metal but if you think of it, there are few things that can make a man scream harder than kidney stones...
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The Residents
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The Residents are an American art collective best known for avant-garde music and multimedia works. Since their first official release, 'Meet the Residents' (1974), the group has released over sixty albums, numerous music videos and short films, three CD-ROM projects, and ten DVDs. They have undertaken seven major world tours and scored multiple films. And still the members manage to stay anonymous.
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According to the story, the band's name simply comes from a letter shoved into the mailbox at the house the band was rehearsing. They were brainstorming for a decent name when the letter came in, addressed to "The Residents". So the brainstorm was over,and the band could go on making this weird but fascinating legacy.
Therapy?
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Years ago, these Irish alternative rockers were added to a bill for a festival named Rock Herk. I was listening to the radio when I heard the news, but there was speculation. After all, there was a question mark behind the band name. Was the organisation uncertain about whether or not they would show up?
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In a 1992 interview guitarist Andy Cairns admitted that it was a chance design when he was working on band's first record sleeve. Working with Letraset transfers, Cairns misaligned the band's name, and used the "?" icon to fill the space to the right. "And then we thought, well maybe we can bluff our way through when people start reading into it".
Alice In The Cities
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Hailing from Berlin, post-rockers Alice In The Cities have been pleasantly surprising us throughout 2015, including a magical performance at Dunk festival. Their name comes from a 1974 Wim Wenders movie (imdb). Fun fact, the movie was released on the exact same day as I was born. I hope these guys come back with a new album and a new tour in 2017.
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Misantronics, Hellstorm Of Flaming Nothingness and A/P/E/
We end this first edition of "What's in a bandname" with three projects from Merchants Of Air writers. Why? Well, a bunch of reasons. First: I know these stories by heart so I don't have to look things up, which is welcome since I got some other stuff to do. Second, we deserve a little attention too. Third: it makes this blog varied and we love variation. So here we go.
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Hellstorm Of Flaming Nothingness is one of the projects by Björn. With this one, he experiments with noise and minimalistic soundscapes. Of course, the name sounds quite nihilistic but it actually comes from a cartoon character we all know quite well.
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Paul's most recent musical incarnation is named A/P/E, which has very little to do with the animals that roam in trees and munch bananas. Instead, it has everything to do with the animals that both rule and destroy our society and threaten our very freedom. A/P/E means "A Political Execution" and their blend of grindcore, crust and power violence is a very effective way to do exactly that.
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My own story? Well, years ago, when I started Misantronics, I found myself in one of the darkest stages of my life. It was late at night, I had another very bad day but the jam session with a friend of mine cheered me up. After he left, I continued to play and record some harsh, hateful noise and decided to create this new project.
I despised people at that time, hence the "misanthropy" part. The second part simply comes from "electronics" since I was making electronic music. The composition of both words gave birth to Misantronics. |
Today, my music is no longer angry and spiteful, no longer harsh noise (although - and here's a premiere for you - there is something noisy coming up) but the name remains. It's good name.
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