Naming a Band

[Project-D]

I don't know how far you want to take this, but you might also want to look at internet domain names too. They're cheap and you might want one down the road, but it's hard to find good ones that aren't taken. I called myself Project-D because "D" is the initial of my first name and it's my little project. Kind of like Alan Parsons Project. However, I found that "Project-D" is also the name of a video game on drifting (as in car racing).

So my site statistics show that people come there probably expecting to find the car thing. I also couldn't get a good domain either - "dproject.info" is the best I could do. I still come in on the bottom of the first page at least, when Project D is Googled. Still, Google "Billy's Little Trip" or "Frankie Big Face" and the results are much better. Something to think about.

[nyjm]

To get Ford's Theater Disaster, I used the Random article feature on Wikipedia. Just keep clicking until you hit something that a) sounds cool and b) has a cool story behind it.

I agree that "Frank" is a better album name than a band name. The connotations (especially as you describe them) would seem to tie you to a specific vibe. You need an identifying and organizing principle that is broader but equally meaningful.

[jb]

frankandthefartknockers.com is still available

[rone rivendale]

Reist a Rone-y hasn't been taken yet.

Nah...

[JonPorobil]

frankandthefartknockers.com is still available

Wasn't funny the first time. Was funny the second time.

Humor is so weird like that.

[Caravan Ray]

I think "Frank" is actually an excellent band name. It has commercial potential written all over it.

Just think how many people have a husband, father, brother, son, friend, boss, uncle, friend, whatever called "Frank". And how often these people think "WTF will I get Frank for Christmas/birthday/Father's Day" whatever. With a little careful thought about album titles - your records will sell themselves

They do a google and up pops:

Frank: The World's Greatest Dad!
or
12 Songs About Having Bad Breath and a Small Cock by Frank!

The perfect stocking fillers!

[Hoblit]

I think "Frank" is actually an excellent band name. It has commercial potential written all over it.

Just think how many people have a husband, father, brother, son, friend, boss, uncle, friend, whatever called "Frank". ... With a little careful thought about album titles - your records will sell themselves

ha, see CAKE & Bare Naked Ladies! Who doesn't like CAKE or Bare Naked Ladies? (see? SEE?)

[Billy's Little Trip]

I think "Frank" is actually an excellent band name.

Naturally.

[Paco Del Stinko]

Oh, I thought you guys meant Phranc.

[Reist]

Oh, I thought you guys meant Phranc.

No ... way. I'm awestruck.

Maybe I don't want to be associated with that, though.

[Reist]

Yo, yo. So I've come up with an idea I like. But there's some problems.

Van Band - Nice and simple, but tough to google, and www.vanband.com is taken.
Van the Band - Sounds great in the announcer test, easier to google, but taken by a van morrison cover band. Not sure if that's an issue.
The Van Band - Sounds a bit less cool, but it's not taken by any band of note, and it fits what I'm looking for.

And here's why I'm picking a name like this - I'm really digging the concept of getting a drummer and a bassist, and just hitting the road this summer - playing where we can, eating what we can and just living out of a van. I'm not set on plans, but it sounds pretty legendary as far as I can tell.

What do you guys think of these names? 'The Van Band' is the most likely.

[JonPorobil]

Yo, yo. So I've come up with an idea I like. But there's some problems.

Van Band - Nice and simple, but tough to google, and http://www.vanband.com is taken.

But http://www.van-band.com isn't taken. Neither is http://www.vanband.net .

Open your mind, my friend.

[Reist]

But http://www.van-band.com isn't taken. Neither is http://www.vanband.net .

Open your mind, my friend.

You ... are a genius!!!

I really like the name Van Band. As long as nobody associates it with Van Halen. That could easily result in some unfulfilled expectations.

[Billy's Little Trip]

And here's why I'm picking a name like this - I'm really digging the concept of getting a drummer and a bassist, and just hitting the road this summer - playing where we can, eating what we can and just living out of a van. I'm not set on plans, but it sounds pretty legendary as far as I can tell.

I don't like the van band. But if you're naming the band based on your touring plan above, call it "Andrew Reist and the Travelers" or if the guys don't like it, call it "The Travelers"
Van Band is La-aim!

edit: Nevermind on the travelers. Not only is it taken, but taken by a Canadian band, lol. The Travelers

[Hoblit]

But http://www.van-band.com isn't taken. Neither is http://www.vanband.net .

Open your mind, my friend.

You ... are a genius!!!

I really like the name Van Band. As long as nobody associates it with Van Halen. That could easily result in some unfulfilled expectations.

NO...I call serious 'fail' here. Generic... referring the SEO discussion we've been having, this is the number 1 thing NOT to do.

Don't go .net , don't add characters to the domain name. Its hard enough getting people to remember domain names let alone throwing curve balls at them. Bad idea IMO (for these reasons only, not necessarily the name Van Band for your band although I'm not crazy about that either to be honest)

I'd check Caravanband or Caraband or something. Or if you are stuck on Van..try bandvan.com or something. (I haven't done any homework)

[Reist]

Haha, have I been called on bad taste again?

But if you're naming the band based on your touring plan above, call it "Andrew Reist and the Travelers" or if the guys don't like it, call it "The Travelers"
Van Band is La-aim![/url]

To be honest, I'm really trying to avoid names like "Andrew Reist and the ______". It sounds like a cop-out to me.

Don't go .net , don't add characters to the domain name. Its hard enough getting people to remember domain names let alone throwing curve balls at them. Bad idea IMO (for these reasons only, not necessarily the name Van Band for your band although I'm not crazy about that either to be honest)

Hmmmm. More reasons to go back to the drawing board. But seriously, I'm not giving up on The Van Band just because you guys said so ... I was rethinking it at school a bit, and it seems like a band that could easily get stuck in a rut.

Why the hell are all the good names taken???

[Caravan Ray]

I'd check Caravanband or Caraband or something.

Nah - I'm pretty sure that there are some Caravan Ray tribute bands using those names.

Though I had (what I thought) was a good band name idea the other day:

The Ricardo Montal Band.

...then I read this last week:
'Fantasy Island' actor Ricardo Montalban dead at 88
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/1 ... index.html

Spooky!

oh well, I guess he wont be complaining about the name, anyway...

[Teplin]

Hmmmm. More reasons to go back to the drawing board. But seriously, I'm not giving up on The Van Band just because you guys said so ... I was rethinking it at school a bit, and it seems like a band that could easily get stuck in a rut.

Unfortunately, it looks like The Van Band is taken.

Why the hell are all the good names taken???

Yeah, I hear ya. I feel like I'm on a never ending quest for band names, making endless lists and trying to find the perfect one or two I can put all my stuff under.

[JonPorobil]

NO...I call serious 'fail' here. Generic... referring the SEO discussion we've been having, this is the number 1 thing NOT to do.

Well, it looks like The Van Band is taken, so this is all hypothetical now, but...

Searchability and domain name aren't correlated as closely as they used to be. I mean, yeah, my great-aunt still plugs in whatever-she's-looking-for.com before going to Yahoo, but if these prospective fans are looking for an indie band, you really think registering .net instead of .com will be a liability? Plus, if he manages to strike it big, it doesn't look as though the current owners of vanband.com are likely to hang onto it too terribly long.

Let's take, for example, the following two exhibits:
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig& ... earch&aq=f
http://www.songfight.com/

...Just sayin'.

[Billy's Little Trip]

To be honest, I'm really trying to avoid names like "Andrew Reist and the ______". It sounds like a cop-out to me.

You're not seeing the big picture here. If the band starts with your name, you are the star. You get first choice of the vaginas....or penises, (I'm still not sure about you)....not that there is anything wrong with that, of course!

OK, give me a few to figure out the perfect name. When I come back here with a name, it WILL be the money....THE MONEY!

[Billy's Little Trip]

OK, no perfect name yet, but did you see all the props that "The Anarchaeologists" is getting? People seem to love clever band names.

[slats]

Maybe opt for a different mode of transportation and call yourselves the Small Bus Band.