What if the band name you want is taken...

[Frippertronix]

...then again, aren't all of them taken by now?

With everybody, their uncle Charlie, and their uncle Charlie' second cousin's dog Skippy forming a band and putting it up on the internet, I'm having a hard time coming up with an unused band name, since, although it's really only me , I want a "band" name to use on my website when I start it next year (it will feature mostly electronic/dance music, orchestral music, and some digital artwork). I need some kind of branding, you know, so I want a band name, logo, etc..

So far, though, both front runners for the name have been taken by someone. In both cases the bands are over ten years old, but totally obscure, probably unknown outside of their local areas (I think one is Scandinavian). I only know about them because they are mentioned on the web, or have a website.

So...what if you find out some obscure band has already used the name you want, or worse, the name you already use (but they had it first)?

What do you do? Use it anyway? Get out an unabridged dictionary and start looking up arcane words and names?

[Meffy]

I'd start a thread on KVR.

[vurt]

kill em off
unless its vurt your after

[Frippertronix]

kill em off
unless its vurt your after

Actually, the name I wanted was Vurt...

[The Chase]

I think I've found each name I wanted to be taken. First Alter Ego, then Hydra, then Chase, then Noir. I say f**k it and go anyway

I mean there are 2 sasha's, 2 Dieselboys, like a dozen hydras, already 2 noirs...fine as long as there isnt a person with the same name in your scene.

[Frippertronix]

I'd start a thread on KVR.

How would you respond to it (other than like this)?

[Reverse Engineer]

I'd suggest you call youself "open Faced Sandwich Club" like someone said in another thread. Who the hell would forget that name?

[vurt]

kill em off
unless its vurt your after

Actually, the name I wanted was Vurt...

you could never do it,im a ninja

random text generators and have some fun finding words that sound right but wrong if you get me?

[Frippertronix]

I think I've found each name I wanted to be taken. First Alter Ego, then Hydra, then Chase, then Noir. I say fcuk it and go anyway

I mean there are 2 sasha's, 2 Dieselboys, like a dozen hydras...fine as long as there isnt a person with the same name in your scene.

I guess the only other consideration is if they've actually trademarked it. I'm sure most of the big boys have trademarked their names. Then again, they probably don't need to unless someone is trying rip them off by using them for a fake endorsement. Obvisouly you couldn't start another Rolling Stones.

[in Nigel Tufnel voice]

"No, no, you don't understand. We're the other Rolling Stones. Not 'em old geezers."

Of course, you could draw a bit of a distinction. You could call the band Rolling Stones 2. Of course you would have problems with something like U2 2. Or Jackson Five 2.

[Ildon]

Take a bunch of cool names and/or words and spell them backwards. Or you can purposely misspell the name you want like Kompressor did.

[The Chase]

Yeah you can use some tricky formula to get it..."NOISIA" is "VISION" upside-down.

[Reverse Engineer]

MSRA (Emissary)

[vurt]

for instance a band i know are now called "stuffing jeremy inside a small box" this comes from a conversation heard on a bus

[Meffy]

I'd start a thread on KVR.

How would you respond to it (other than like this)?

Oh, put the stripes on the spot, hm? Okay. I'd ask that weirdo Meffy, who is expert at making up improbable combinations of words, and others who indulge in such frippery [ ;-) ] to contribute their ideas, then harvest the choicest.

But I'd wait 'til tomorrow to ask Mef (who is headed to bed, being exhausted).

[rockstar_not]

Try out that automatic Star Wars name generator thing.

http://www.insectdissection.com/save-curtis/swname/

Here's what it came up with for me: Scola Bipon

Try it out. Find the chemical names of trademarked over-the-counter drugs. Many interesting things to say there. Here's an example: Nexium is actually esomeprazole. Go to http://www.medicinenet.com/esomeprazole/article.htm and hunt around. You are bound to find a cool band name there. Alter the spelling a bit and there you go.

-Scott