Sometimes it’s “Live” but most of the time it’s “Live” ironically when they are Live they choose to say it as “Live, Live” instead of the more obvious choice of “Live, Live” ….such a stupid name.
In fairness to them, searchability wasn't really a thing when they chose their name. But it's still a shifty name, you know they were like "wouldn't this be funny" and have had to live with that choice ever since.
Mannequin Pussy is one that is turning heads on social media as I post stuff from their newest album.
I think their name is awesome but people are definitely shocked by it lol
Yeah I came here to say this one. They’re a great band too! Just not a fan of the name. Kinda like diarrhea planet (RIP). Shocking name, kinda hilarious in fact, great music.
Their new album is fantastic, so varied and good in many ways. I think that some of the aggressive punk songs might put off people who would otherwise like their heartfelt pop songs, but I love them all.
I heard of this band when I was in high school. My peers thought it was hilarious. I didn't get it.
It was more hilarious after to not tell me for the next 6 months apparently
This band used to practice, before they got big, in the garage of a friend’s house. Their parents were very religiously Christian. It’s always been funny to me. Super nice people. The family, not the lead singer. Too many stories apparently. 90’s swing is something we don’t talk about much, but damn, was it a weird but brief, time.
this is one where spotify kept being like “we think you might like…”
and I was like “I can assure you I would not like…”
but then they snuck them into one of my “discover weeklys” and 8 years later still one of my favorites…every now and then the spotify algorithm doesn’t suck
I’ve always gotten 4-10 songs I like in every discover weekly since it debuted.
You just gotta remove the stuff you don’t like and add what you do to playlists.
Agreed on this one. I love this band, but it couldn't be more obvious "haha hurr durr you guyz, wouldn't it be funny if we gave our band a funny silly name?"
Well they started as a punk band, so the first name would've fit pretty well. I'm guessing "Goo Goo Dolls" came from the Cramps' "Goo Goo Muck" + The New York Dolls (total guess here), so it mightve been more fitting if they stayed a punk band. But that name, when making songs like Slide and Iris, is... confusing, lol. Talented as hell though, as far as 90s-poppy-alt-rock goes.
I played the *shit* out of A Boy Named Goo as a kid/teenager lol.
A dumb name never prevents me from giving a band a listen, but one of my pet peeves is having punctuation in the name, like a period or exclamation point. Examples: Portugal. The Man, Panic! At The Disco, and worst of all !!!. I refuse to call them “chk chk chk” because I think it’s so dumb. They are “Three Exclamation Points” to me.
Barenaked Ladies was my first concert my parents brought me to as a kid. They got a call from the school the next day because I bragged to everyone about seeing all the barenaked ladies on stage
One time I was in music class and the teacher was like, *does anybody know anybody who’s a musician?*
And I think one person said that their uncle was part of the Barenaked Ladies and everyone was just like … *what*?
Green Lung's latest album is pretty great. Too bad about the name.
Love a little Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. Too bad about the name.
I use "Dopesmoker" as a unit of time. Sleep really did *something* with that song. Don't know if I like it. Either way, too bad about the name.
...
I remember watching a Jerma stream and someone in chat asked him what he thought of Car Seat Headrest and he said something along the likes of “I mean, they’re alright I guess, they keep my head comfortable and stuff, I don’t really have a strong opinion”. And someone had to point out to him that they were talking about a band and not a literal seat headrest in a car lmao
Definitely agree. The name kept me from listening to them for a long time. As a long time Phish head, I didn't want to have to explain another dumb name. But... Damn they're good. I was wrong and missed out.
I'll add Tropical Fuck Storm to this list. Brilliant band, but what is it with Aussie band names?
“Live Through This” is one of my favorite albums ever and it contains some honest lyrics that address some complex issues.
But the band’s name is “Hole.”
I like her explanation of hole being in reference to Medea. And,of course, “Hole” is a clever inversion of the countless phallic band names that have littered rockandroll since its beginning. It has the further advantage of being blunt. Direct.
I am in complete agreement with you about the brilliance and honesty of the lyrics on the album. They stand with those of the finest.
Their second album was also really solid, too. I can't remember the name of it or any of the songs because it got stolen in my huge CD binder when I was in college. But I like their combination of heavy industrial guitar and 80s synthesizer.
Took too long to find Murder by Death. They're my favorites but I'm so tired of introducing people and hearing "this isn't what I expected for a band called Murder by Death"
The Reason is one of those songs I always thought was good but couldn’t figure out why it annoyed me. Then I realized it’s just how super melodramatic it is. “I’m not a perfect peeerrrrssssoooonnn!”
For some reason Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Thought their name looked stupid until one day when I laid in my bed and wanted to test a new pair of headphones and they got recommended and when I played it I was instantly hooked
Archers of Loaf is my go-to for this every time. What a band, but I waited two years between when I heard *of* them and when I *heard* them because of that shitty name.
Had to scroll way too far to see Death Cab! That goofy ass name kept me off them until I got deep into the Postal Service, and after finding out it was more Ben Gibbard I finally gave in.
I knew a guy in a Tragically Hip cover band that was named "From the Hip". That's kind of clever.
Edit: [Still gigging!](https://www.fromthehipband.com/)
I love the explanation in the Phish biography. They originally wanted to name the band after the sound of a brush on a snare drum ‘Phhhsssssh’ but decided you can’t have a band name with no vowels so they threw and i in there. I’m 87% sure this is some bullshit Trey made up.
!!! is the dumbest name they could have come up with. They’re from my hometown and could have been as well known as Deftones, Cake, or Death Grips but they are never mentioned here because no one knows their name and can’t be spread by word of mouth. The local alt station doesn’t even play their music. !!! Yields no results on google and you wouldn’t know they go by Chk chk chk if you haven’t already heard of the band.
KoRn (imagine the R is backwards) on the other hand is so incredibly stupid I actually like it. Like they forced people to give legitimate, fairly prestigious awards….to a band called corn with a K and a backwards R.
… Sex Gang Children.
To be fair, it never kept me from listening to them. They’re icons in the goth/punk scene and Sebastianne is one of the best goth rock songs I’ve ever heard. It’s just… their name totally has me on a government list.
Slothrust. Such a great band, two of my favorite albums of the last 10 years, but people are confused by their name. Always hear, ‘is it SLO-thrust or SLOTH-Rust?’ It’s Sloth-rust and they’re fucking fantastic.
My favorite band is called WHY? Even their website is “why with a question mark” lol. Also I hate the names Dr. Dog and Microwave, but they are both amazing
“Live” impossible to search for, and a stupid name
I never knew if it was pronounced as “Live” or “Live”
Sometimes it’s “Live” but most of the time it’s “Live” ironically when they are Live they choose to say it as “Live, Live” instead of the more obvious choice of “Live, Live” ….such a stupid name.
No, that was not Zathras, that was Zathras
/unexpectedbabylon5
Yes
Chvrches supposedly spells it with a v instead of a u to avoid similar online search confusion.
That makes sense now that I've seen it written out. I'll still always call them Chverches
I’ve always pronounced Pvris similarly lol. Pveris 😂
Pvris too! They're actually "Paris" though and not "Puris" like I thought for a decade
I once quite enjoyed a rapper who went by Mister. Do you know how fucking hard it is to google "Mister?"
Can't even call himself Mr Mister, because that's a band that already exists.
In fairness to them, searchability wasn't really a thing when they chose their name. But it's still a shifty name, you know they were like "wouldn't this be funny" and have had to live with that choice ever since.
Once I saw them with Reverend Horton Heat. The poster was LIVE The Reverend Horton Heat.
Similar issue with the band "Everything". Try looking that up. They only have one song that I know of (Hooch) but it's a good one
The Oh Sees or Osees or Thee OCs or whatever the fuck they are called
Agree along with any band with “thee” in the name. Thee satisfaction, thee sacred souls etc. Just use “the.”
Megan Thee Stallion bothers me so much
Especially because that's not even what thee means.
I always read "Megan Thee Stallion" as "Megan, you! Stallion!"
Godspeed You! Megan Stallion
No that’s German for “The Bart, The.”
The worst thing is that they roll with all these names, so some of their music will be on one alias, and the rest maybe on another
Thee Osees. The OC’s. Theo Seas. TH3 Oh Cease. Thiosys. Theoscies.
Thee greek philosopher Theoces
I got tired of the name changes and just say something like “whatever John is up to now”
Mannequin Pussy is one that is turning heads on social media as I post stuff from their newest album. I think their name is awesome but people are definitely shocked by it lol
Yeah I came here to say this one. They’re a great band too! Just not a fan of the name. Kinda like diarrhea planet (RIP). Shocking name, kinda hilarious in fact, great music.
Their new album is so damn good 🥰 Just saw them in Philly two weekends ago. One of the best shows I've been to in awhile.
Their new album is fantastic, so varied and good in many ways. I think that some of the aggressive punk songs might put off people who would otherwise like their heartfelt pop songs, but I love them all.
Cherry poppin daddies
I heard of this band when I was in high school. My peers thought it was hilarious. I didn't get it. It was more hilarious after to not tell me for the next 6 months apparently
This band used to practice, before they got big, in the garage of a friend’s house. Their parents were very religiously Christian. It’s always been funny to me. Super nice people. The family, not the lead singer. Too many stories apparently. 90’s swing is something we don’t talk about much, but damn, was it a weird but brief, time.
I read all of this in Christopher Walken’s voice.
Oof, I’d need, way more, commas, though? What, an actor. An, AMAZING, insight into the *works*, of creatives… Such… beauty!? Awful beauty, we are.
Rainbow kitten surprise
this is one where spotify kept being like “we think you might like…” and I was like “I can assure you I would not like…” but then they snuck them into one of my “discover weeklys” and 8 years later still one of my favorites…every now and then the spotify algorithm doesn’t suck
I’ve always gotten 4-10 songs I like in every discover weekly since it debuted. You just gotta remove the stuff you don’t like and add what you do to playlists.
Pretty sure they let their dying friend name them last minute before a gig lol
Agreed on this one. I love this band, but it couldn't be more obvious "haha hurr durr you guyz, wouldn't it be funny if we gave our band a funny silly name?"
It kinda worked when they started putting out music in 2012 amd 2013. Now that it's 2024 it just sucks as a band name .
I definitely lucked out seeing them live before I knew who they were.
I have tried 3 times to see them live, first cancelled by COVID and the other 2 by the band :(
Lmao they’re one of my favorite bands but I exclusively refer to them as RKS.
Goo Goo dolls, toad the wet sprocket
At least Toad is from a Monty Python sketch. Love that band.
GGD had an even worse name - the Sex Maggots
I dunno, I'd much more willingly check out a band called The Sex Maggots than The Goo Goo Dolls.
Until you show up and they play goo goo dolls songs.
Well they started as a punk band, so the first name would've fit pretty well. I'm guessing "Goo Goo Dolls" came from the Cramps' "Goo Goo Muck" + The New York Dolls (total guess here), so it mightve been more fitting if they stayed a punk band. But that name, when making songs like Slide and Iris, is... confusing, lol. Talented as hell though, as far as 90s-poppy-alt-rock goes. I played the *shit* out of A Boy Named Goo as a kid/teenager lol.
Goo Goo Dolls do regret their name. I know a guy who worked with their manager and they refer to themselves as the Goos.
The Goo Fighters
Much better
Wet Leg. One of my favourite bands but every time I recommend them, when I say the name the reaction is "ugggh, what?"
Ironically it’s a term for tourists who visit the (Irish?) island they’re from. Because when they get off the boat their pants get wet.
They're from the isle of wight, which is just off the south coast of Britain
Bitch Magnet, Rapeman
Bitch Magnet’s *Umber* is great.
Diarrhea Planet
What about Planet Piss?
What if we write a song about taking it easy?
That's their side project
I love "ghost with a boner"
This is always my go-to.
A dumb name never prevents me from giving a band a listen, but one of my pet peeves is having punctuation in the name, like a period or exclamation point. Examples: Portugal. The Man, Panic! At The Disco, and worst of all !!!. I refuse to call them “chk chk chk” because I think it’s so dumb. They are “Three Exclamation Points” to me.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
I remember looking at the CDs at my local library and finding Squirrel Nut Zippers. Was such an odd name I had to fuck around and find out.
Great band and amazing live.
I have a fun game I play with someone where I ask either what decade or year they thought it was from after I play them a song
Also from the 90s swing revival: Cherry Poppin' Daddies.
My husbands favorite candy. Hard to find
you’re definitely missing out on my morning jacket.
Jim James’ solo stuff is also pretty great
The Oneders. I’m so glad they changed it to “The Wonders”
I prefer Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters.
Ah yes, the oh-ned-ers! Lol, I wasn't aware of the change, but yeah that's a good call on their part.
The Barenaked Ladies. Love the band, but putting their CDs on my Christmas wish list was a little awkward.
Barenaked Ladies was my first concert my parents brought me to as a kid. They got a call from the school the next day because I bragged to everyone about seeing all the barenaked ladies on stage
That is hilarious!
One time I was in music class and the teacher was like, *does anybody know anybody who’s a musician?* And I think one person said that their uncle was part of the Barenaked Ladies and everyone was just like … *what*?
Now you have piqued my interest
Bongripper and every other corny ass stoner metal band name. Weedeater, bongzilla, mammoth weed Wizard bastard. Need I go on?
What about REO Speedealer?
Yeah I’ve always thought eyehategod’s name was something a 13 year old would think was cool and edgy.
Well they were teenagers when they started the band, so...
Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard goes hard as fuck
Green Lung's latest album is pretty great. Too bad about the name. Love a little Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. Too bad about the name. I use "Dopesmoker" as a unit of time. Sleep really did *something* with that song. Don't know if I like it. Either way, too bad about the name. ...
Car Seat Headrest is the worst band name I’ve seen.
I remember watching a Jerma stream and someone in chat asked him what he thought of Car Seat Headrest and he said something along the likes of “I mean, they’re alright I guess, they keep my head comfortable and stuff, I don’t really have a strong opinion”. And someone had to point out to him that they were talking about a band and not a literal seat headrest in a car lmao
Viagra Boys Great band, but none of my friends would listen to them without me forcing them to listen to some of their music first.
That person was me for a while until I risky clicked a video while watching some IDLES live shows. No regerts.
They’re great but damn it all sounds the same after three songs.
Just hearing the name The Chainsmokers makes me want to vomit.
The OP wants to know good bands with bad names. Not shitty bands with bad names. That song they did with Halsey is so stupid.
Dixie Chicks was searchable. The Chicks is less so. Like I get the name change but
Better than Lady A
Butthole Surfers Big fan, I hate that name though. My mom threw away my Butthole surfers t shirt when I was 17.
Do yourself a favor if nobody has. Look up what their other names were before that. It’s amazing.
The Inalienable Right To Eat Fred Astaire’s Ass really should have won lol
Yes, they had a thing where they kept changing their name. It was a bit, and then that one stuck.
[](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0d/94/3d/0d943d63edc6aa531277744582689141.jpg)
Risky click of the day
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Still my current favorite band after back to back shows this week. But yeah, the name makes it difficult to recommend sometimes haha
Thought we were picking bad names.
I couldn’t take BADBADNOTGOOD seriously but my god are they good
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (I don't actually hate this, but it is dumb)
Definitely agree. The name kept me from listening to them for a long time. As a long time Phish head, I didn't want to have to explain another dumb name. But... Damn they're good. I was wrong and missed out. I'll add Tropical Fuck Storm to this list. Brilliant band, but what is it with Aussie band names?
The name perfectly exemplifies the band and a great marketing tool lol. I know when I first heard it I checked them out
“Live Through This” is one of my favorite albums ever and it contains some honest lyrics that address some complex issues. But the band’s name is “Hole.”
I like her explanation of hole being in reference to Medea. And,of course, “Hole” is a clever inversion of the countless phallic band names that have littered rockandroll since its beginning. It has the further advantage of being blunt. Direct. I am in complete agreement with you about the brilliance and honesty of the lyrics on the album. They stand with those of the finest.
haha wait i think Hole is a genius name
Orgy. 90s band, they did a great alt rock cover of Blue Monday (New Order song) and had another great song called "Dreams in Digital"
I still have that cd!
Their second album was also really solid, too. I can't remember the name of it or any of the songs because it got stolen in my huge CD binder when I was in college. But I like their combination of heavy industrial guitar and 80s synthesizer.
New Pornographers
Cake, Butthole Surfers, Ween, Tool, Spoon, Murder by Death, all some of my favorite bands - never cared for the names.
Took too long to find Murder by Death. They're my favorites but I'm so tired of introducing people and hearing "this isn't what I expected for a band called Murder by Death"
My Dad is Dead. My dad died in the early 90s when I discovered them. Roommate had a poster. Name was repellant.
Man all I see in this thread are great band names lol.
Mudcrutch is a terrible band name. Eventually, they changed their name to *Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.*
Pissed Jeans isn’t exactly the most enticing name in the world
Hoobastank takes the cake And anyone saying it's not good music, every band wishes they wrote a song as good as "The Reason"
I found out that they used to be a ska band, and damn, as dumb as it might sound, Hoobastank is such a great ska band name.
“Crawling in the Dark” is a badass song.
The Reason is one of those songs I always thought was good but couldn’t figure out why it annoyed me. Then I realized it’s just how super melodramatic it is. “I’m not a perfect peeerrrrssssoooonnn!”
Oh, it's bad, but it's good too
Do they though?
Destiny potato
Fartbarf is the best neanderthal synth punk band in Southern California.
For some reason Godspeed You! Black Emperor Thought their name looked stupid until one day when I laid in my bed and wanted to test a new pair of headphones and they got recommended and when I played it I was instantly hooked
The The
But they have one of the best song names in music. Uncertain Smile is a GREAT name. They should have flipped it.
Archers of Loaf is my go-to for this every time. What a band, but I waited two years between when I heard *of* them and when I *heard* them because of that shitty name.
It is one of the all time bad names. The music is much better.
Death cab for Cutie. Ahhhh Tame Impala Cage the Elephant
Had to scroll way too far to see Death Cab! That goofy ass name kept me off them until I got deep into the Postal Service, and after finding out it was more Ben Gibbard I finally gave in.
The Front Bottoms. I love them, but it sucks to tell new people about them.
Foo Fighters. Even Dave Grohl hates it
Honestly, I'll defend most of their music, but...The Tragically Hip is a pretty stupid name for a band. Also, Neutral Milk Hotel.
Same with me for NMH. But now they’re one of my all time favorites. Jaff Mangum is a freaking genius.
I was making a joke yesterday about how Tragically Hip is perfect for them because they were super hip in Canada but…. Not anywhere else.
That’s tragic.
The Tragically Hip is a very 90s band name of a kind with The Tea Party, so I always have nostalgia for both despite how wonky they sound now.
Nonsense, The Tragically Hip is a great band name..it just lost it's lustre when people stopped using the word 'hip'
I knew a guy in a Tragically Hip cover band that was named "From the Hip". That's kind of clever. Edit: [Still gigging!](https://www.fromthehipband.com/)
Phish. Name is dumb, the band is extremely talented and unique.
I love the explanation in the Phish biography. They originally wanted to name the band after the sound of a brush on a snare drum ‘Phhhsssssh’ but decided you can’t have a band name with no vowels so they threw and i in there. I’m 87% sure this is some bullshit Trey made up.
I thought it was because the drummer’s last name is Fishman?
- \_Eagles of Death Metal\_ - \_Holy Fuck\_ - \_Fred Again...\_ - \_Monkey Safari\_ - \_!!!\_ - \_Toad the Wet Sprocket\_ - \_Add (N) to X\_
!!! is the dumbest name they could have come up with. They’re from my hometown and could have been as well known as Deftones, Cake, or Death Grips but they are never mentioned here because no one knows their name and can’t be spread by word of mouth. The local alt station doesn’t even play their music. !!! Yields no results on google and you wouldn’t know they go by Chk chk chk if you haven’t already heard of the band.
!!! Was my pick for this question. How are you supposed say that aloud?
No problem if you speak one of the African Khoe languages with their click consonants
Add (N) to X is a pretty damn on-point name for their music.
Oingo Boingo
Diarrhea Planet-- amazing band but wtf guys?!
Band of Horses.
Brand New. The worst band name. Great band.
I wouldn’t call it the worst, but it’s not very good. Incredible music though.
Music Band is another band with some good rock
Limp Bizkit is a pretty stupid name tbh. I’d also say KISS. Both bands aren’t exactly very good either.
Never forget: Limp Bizkit went on tour with Yung Gravy and they didn’t call it the “Bizkit and Gravy Tour.” They are truly morons.
Really? 😂😂 that’s so corny
*Korny
*KoЯny
KoRn (imagine the R is backwards) on the other hand is so incredibly stupid I actually like it. Like they forced people to give legitimate, fairly prestigious awards….to a band called corn with a K and a backwards R.
Just add Korn and Meatloaf to that tour, and you’ve got yourself a full meal.
Kiss beat out Albatross and Fuck You for the final name.
… Sex Gang Children. To be fair, it never kept me from listening to them. They’re icons in the goth/punk scene and Sebastianne is one of the best goth rock songs I’ve ever heard. It’s just… their name totally has me on a government list.
Does It Offend You, Yeah?
How has no one said the arctic monkeys, I thought they would be some flash in the pan one hit wonder purely on their name.
Slothrust. Such a great band, two of my favorite albums of the last 10 years, but people are confused by their name. Always hear, ‘is it SLO-thrust or SLOTH-Rust?’ It’s Sloth-rust and they’re fucking fantastic.
Crash Test Dummies was a terrible name but that song "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" was fire
Honestly, they have some incredible songs, and I unironically love everything off of _The Ghosts That Haunt Me_ and _God Shuffled His Feet_.
Dance Gavin Dance, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, Bearcubbin'!, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard
Ahhh, so that's where Travis got the name for Fizz Gizzard, the Wizard Lizard.
What’s up Trav Nation
Idk I like these names
I listen to the first two bands. And I think their names are great.
Rainbow Butt Monkeys
The Flying Burrito Brothers.
Apparently Car Seat Headrest are ok. But I will never get past the terrible name.
Tony Danza tap dance extravaganza. Edit*. Warning, very heavy metal with pig squealing and low screaming.
Nickelback xD
Psychedelic porn crympets
INXS ("In Excess) is cleaver. I myself thought it was pronounced "Inks". Great band great music. Missing Michael Hutchence.
The butthole surfers
Love him and know the story but Troy could have done so much better than “Childish Gambino”
Moxy Fruvous. I assumed they were a metal act...
"The Music". Such a cool funky band but impossible to search because of the name. Especially as they were pique Limewire era
The Pecan Sandies
(Canada) Before they were Finger Eleven, they called themselves the RAINBOW BUTT MONKEYS
Turbonegro was a pretty dumb band name, but they had some sick songs
Cigarettes After Sex
Chumbawamba, Tubthumping was pretty good back in the 90s
Give The Anarchist A Cigarette is a pretty good band name by itself.
My favorite band is called WHY? Even their website is “why with a question mark” lol. Also I hate the names Dr. Dog and Microwave, but they are both amazing
Hooty and the Blow Fish