The surprising stories behind iconic band names
Once a band makes it to the airwaves, we rarely think to wonder about the origins of its name, but the stories are often fun, fascinating, or downright weird. Let’s take a look at some iconic band names, and how they came to be.
1. The Human League
Originally named “The Future”, this late-70s-formed band decided a rebranding was necessary once lead singer Philip Oakley came aboard. Keyboardist Martyn Ware suggested “The Human League”, taking inspiration from a science fiction board game called Starforce Alpha Centauri.
2. Chubby Checker
While not a band, Ernest Evans (aka Chubby Checker) took on his stage name after being inspired by Fats Domino. Already called “Chubby” by his friends, Evans added some tasty alliteration with “Checker” for a name that rolls off the tongue.
3. The Velvet Underground
This band was shown Michael Leigh’s book about the 1960s’ secret sexual subculture, and loved the name so much that they borrowed it for themselves.
4. The Killers
Easily one of the most iconic bands of the 21st century, the Killers took their name from another group’s music video. New Order’s 2001 single, “Crystal”, featured a fake band named, you guessed it, “The Killers”.
5. Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Freebird rockers took their name from their high school PE teacher, Leonard Skinner, who didn’t approve of boys who had long hair. Skinner had a good relationship with the band, however, once introducing them at a concert, and allowing them to use a picture of a sign for his real estate business inside their third album.
6. Simple Minds
The Scottish group initially had a false start as Johnny and the Self-Abusers, but after a lone single was released, the group broke apart, and reformed with new members to become Simple Minds. The name was taken from iconic David Bowie song, “Jean Genie” (“So simple minded he can’t drive his module”).
7. Coldplay
Apparently, a friend of lead singer Chris Martin’s told him that his own band didn’t want the name “Coldplay” anymore. Upon hearing this, the band now formerly known as Starfish (and Pectoralz prior to that) seized upon the name. The original Coldplay is reported to have taken the name from a children’s anthology of poems entitled Child’s Reflections: Cold Play.
8. Pink Floyd
Band member Syd Barrett took the names of two blues musicians (Pink Anderson and Floyd Council), and smooshed them together to create one of rock’s most iconic monikers.
What’s your favourite weird band name? Let us know in the comments!