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.

Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies

This was suggested as a post by alert reader Kate A. She noted that the band name has good assonance. Also, it sounds really good when said in a Monster Truck Rally voice, always a plus. My problem is that I have a hard time visualizing a screamin' cheetah wheelie. At first, I thought the name was cheeto, not cheetah, which made me think of those wheel-shaped cheetos. Imagining them screaming ("don't eat me!") is kind of twisted and funny. What is a cheetah wheelie? A cheetah with rad dirt bike tricks? Chester Cheetah? I am torn on this band name. Help me out.

Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies: undecided.

!!!

Yes, "!!!" is a band name. It's supposed to be pronounced "chik-chik-chik."

People. Please don't name your band something with questionable pronounciation. Chik-Chik-Chik sounds cool. But is every ticket seller and record (I'm showing my age) store clerk likely to know how you pronounce it, or are !!! fans resigned to explaining what the band name is each time they say it? Bands, please don't make your fans feel stupid.

On a side note, I think schwah (upside-down e) is a really good name for a band. People (at least the English majors who make up a plurality of my associates) tend to know how to pronounce the name of the upside-down e, though, which makes all the difference.

!!!: Sucks.

Si*Se

This band name has two major flaws.
1) Ambiguous pronounciation. It's supposed to be pronounced "see say," but one might pronounce it "sissy" or "seese."
2) An asterisk. This renders it nearly unsearchable. Try searching for it on Amazon. OK, never mind, I've done that for you. There are different listings under "Si Se," "Si-Se," "Si*Se (with an accent aigu over the e, which I can't figure out how to do here)," and "Si*Se."

Si*Se are one of my favorite downbeat artists, but guys, you need to do something about your band name.

Si*Se: Sucks.

King Lychee

Let's start with King Lychee, a hardcore punk band from Hong Kong. I was recently lucky enough to see King Lychee perform on their home turf. They rock, and I hope they play in the States someday. Their name, in juxtaposition with their musical style, shows they don't take themselves too seriously. This quality is rarer than it should be, I think.

King Lychee: Rules.

Here's how it works

The rules are simple. I will post a band name (of a real band) every day or two. You comment on whether the name Rules or Sucks. Base your comment on the band name only, not the band's music (if you are familiar with it). I may offer my opinion of the band name as well. Giddeyup!