Beefeater

Looking at the new, improved Positive Force web site (be sure to check out the "Flyer" section) sent me into a little nostalgia trip about the days when DC Space was still around, the 9:30 club was in Chinatown, and I could stay up past midnight on a regular basis. Some friends and I followed the DC gothic/alternative band Strange Boutique. We were regulars at their shows to the point where we got invited to an after-party with the band, but alas, it was a school night. Before Strange Boutique existed, some of the members were in Beefeater. Beefeater was a vegan hardcore band. Hence, I think their name is a stroke of brilliance.

Beefeater: Rules.

Joy Division

I had to go to an outside source (let's call him Vitamin S) to make sure I knew the origins of Joy Division's name. Apparently it comes from the group of Jewish women in concentration camps that the Nazis used as (unpaid) prositutes. Very dark. How appropriate for a band whose sound seemed to come from "a crater on the moon." To me, Joy Division is one of the great band names of all time. I feel the same way about their music.

As an aside, did you know that May is Jewish-American Heritage Month? I was informed of this today by a mass email sent to me and all of my fellow employees. Not sure why they waited until the 11th to tell us that.

Joy Division: Rules.

Fleadip

Speaking of whimsical band names: Fleadip do have a special sentimental value for me, as they were one of my closest friend's bands during our college years. Fleadip's sound was grunge/hardcore, which is one of the reasons this name worked (see King Lychee/ not taking yourself too seriously). Althoug Fleadip's time in the sun was short, they produced some great T-shirts. These shirts showed a black and white photo of a black cat who had just been fleadipped. The cat was drenched, with flattened ears and a pissed-off expression on its face. That, my friends, is rock and roll.

Fleadip: Rules.

Saladbar

Saladbar is apparently opening for Experimental Dental School. Not to get all eighth-grade, but this is a wussy name for a band. It would look ridiculous headlining a festival. I also can't see many men admitting they like Saladbar. Some whimsical band names can work well, but I don't think this one makes it.

Saladbar: Sucks.

Experimental Dental School

I know nothing about this band, except that they were playing in town last week, according to the CityPaper. The name is definitely weird, and somewhat thought-provoking. It sounds like the name of a horror movie (I'm seeing it as a sequel to Dead Ringers, with twin Jeremy Ironses making a repeat performance). The name tends to lodge in one's mind at least for the short term. Since the band is playing at a small venue here and is likely just starting out, this is a good ploy.

Experimental Dental School: Rules.

...And You Shall Know Us by the Trail of Dead

See the entry for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Even the abbreviation (AYSKUBYTOD) is a pain to type.

...And You Shall Know Us by the Trail of Dead: Sucks.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Any band name that is normally abbreviated in reviews (here, as CYHSY) is too long. When I say the band name, I also feel inclined to clap my hands. I probably look stupid doing this. Therefore,

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Sucks.

X

Simple but ambiguous; perfect.

X: Rules.