The Song Fight Bulletin Board

Alright, so I'm thinking I need to end my stint as a one-man-band, but finding a band name is apparently a pretty rough deal. My idea for a band name is 'Frank', since the music I'm writing for the upcoming cd is pretty raw and honest, but I wonder if that name's a bit lame. (I checked around, and it looks like that name is no longer taken by any band of note).

Do you guys have feedback on that name, or advice on how to decide on a better name?

I think you just know when a name is right. It chooses you. Make all the lists you want, eventually something will be right.

First off, neither Frank nor Frankly, a possibly nice variation, will make you easily findable. The general idea of the name is sound, I guess.

I tend to agree with ken: start writing down names. Make no attempt to filter, write down even the most ridiculous things that you think of. Keep going until either you have found a name that sounds great or you run out of steam (feel free to switch to writing arbitrary stuff instead of potentital names to keep going for another while). In the second case, leave the list alone for a day, then come back to it and re-read it. Rinse and repeat until success appears.

Yeah, "Frank" will be tough to Google. You might want to go for something more unique.

Yeah, I did the list thing last night, and I weeded out a few interesting names, but all of them were too long (5 or 6 words), and I have trouble remembering names like that. Frank popped out at me like a good name with the concept I'm looking for. But then I thought about it, and it didn't seem to present an image when spoken ... if anything, it sounds more like an album title than a band name. We'll see where that name goes.

jast wrote:neither Frank nor Frankly, a possibly nice variation, will make you easily findable. The general idea of the name is sound, I guess.

Easily findable? I'm not totally sure what you mean.

http://www.songhole.org/octothorpe/musi ... teSize.mp3

I think that what they are trying to tell you is that if you google "Frank", you get 275 million hits.

Reïst wrote:

jast wrote:neither Frank nor Frankly, a possibly nice variation, will make you easily findable. The general idea of the name is sound, I guess.

Easily findable? I'm not totally sure what you mean.

Let's say someone hears a song by you that they like. They're at a friend's house, and it comes on the friend's stereo, for instance. This person turns to her friend and says "Hey, who's this song by?"

"Oh," the friend answers, "it's by this band called Frank."

"Frank," says your new fan. "What a cool name! I should totally look them up when I get home!"

Your new fan goes home, logs into google, and types in "Frank." Obviously, this doesn't work. So she searches for "Frank Band."

Now let's assume, for the sake of argument that this search doesn't turn up as its first result another band who's already taken the name Frank. The rest of the results are a bunch of people in bands with "Frank" somewhere in their name. I'm sure somewhere down the line there's also an image of a sausage belt.

Frank music is even worse, because there's a music publishing company named Frank Music.

Basically, it's hard to look up a band called Frank.

As opposed to, say, Frankie Big Face.

Get it?


And yes, I know, pot, kettle, black, and so on.

In a completely different vein, I give you... the arena test.

Picture, if you will, a concert in an arena. The opening band is done setting up and the announcer comes on the PA. "And now! Opening for [insert headliner of your choice here]! Fraaaaaaaaank!"

There was a Jello Biafra spoken word or two about band names. The arena test is cribbed from that. "Mon-daaaale!" Heh.

Haha, I think I'm picking up what you guys are putting down. I think the arena test is what convinced me.

I think I'll start a new list.

Lunkhead wrote:Yeah, "Frank" will be tough to Google. You might want to go for something more unique.

Phrank



...though you may want to avoid a name that rhymes with "wank". Unless of course you plan on doing Genesis covers, in which case it may be entirely appropriate.

Caravan Ray wrote:...though you may want to avoid a name that rhymes with "wank". Unless of course you plan on doing Genesis covers, in which case it may be entirely appropriate.

Haha, alas, I've fallen off the genesis train lately. I'm in more of a 90s alternative rock phase right now. Which I think is better for my musical well-being.

But seriously, I'm getting pumped for this project. It rocks harder than anything I've recorded lately - and as proof, my hands are bruised and battered with blisters and sores from recording demo drum tracks. And my demos usually don't rock as hard as the final product, so I'm pretty excited for that.

Reïst wrote:Alright, so I'm thinking I need to end my stint as a one-man-bandbla bla bla My idea for a band name is 'Frank'more jibber jabber...

I think you were trying to pull a Melvin. Right off the bat, Frank doesn't fit your goal. How would Frank be much different than Reist?
I think your band name should be "Elton Invited Me Back To His Room And Didn't Touch My Penis"
....actually, that's more of an album title. Here's a band name to add to your list, "Funeral For A Friend". I think the whole Elton thing was a sign. Run with it.

Reïst wrote:I'm in more of a 90s alternative rock phase right now.

No wonder you wanted Frank. I wonder if the above reasons might be why Frank Black changed to Black Frances when he stopped using the Pixies?

Funeral For A Friend is already a band... I propose... Fantasy Rainbow...

Also that Arena test rocks! CaaaaaaaahhhhwwwK!

There are zero google results for "Frank and the Fart Knockers"

...and it rolls right off the tongue.

Billy's Little Trip wrote: I think you were trying to pull a Melvin. Right off the bat, Frank doesn't fit your goal. How would Frank be much different than Reist?

Yeah, I have to agree here, and actually I like the name Reist for a band much better than Frank. Frank is a pretty common name, and it sounds less like a band to me and more like a solo artist trying to one name it. Reist at least sounds like a band (albeit a german industrial metal band).

Just call yourself the Molotov Cocktail Weenies and be done with it.

(does arena test in head; and now GHOOOST TOOOOOWN GRIDLOOOOOOOCK!, me likey.)

"Frank" would be a great album name though. But as pointed out...as far as finding about Reists latest release "Frank" will require searching "Reist" + "Frank". (You could subtitle it "Lee" therefore the title name SOUNDS like Frankly but it would be 'two names' as well, which would be cute.)

I'll probably never be in a band called "Gamblers in the Neon" but I've always wanted to name a band that. Its not taken...and if you take it you'd better live up to it pal.

Albatross wrote:Just call yourself the Molotov Cocktail Weenies and be done with it.

First album, "Stick A Toothpick In It"

Hey, I hate to play Devil's Advocate (ah, who'm I kidding; I love it!), but also remember that rules were made to be broken.

I like the arena annoucner test, but I would argue, for instance, that Weezer doesn't pass it.

And of course, you should always keep things short, except when you shouldn't (see Red Hot Chili Peppers, The; ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail Of Dead)

Some successful bands have very hard-to-look-up names, like !!!, for one, and The Smiths, for another. (This is to say nothing of cleverly-named Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member groups like Them and The Band.)

And fer cryin' out loud, look at Beck! He made his stage name the same as the last name of an already-famous guitarist, and as for the announcer test? "Ladies and Gentlemen.... BEEEEEEEEEECK!" doesn't exactly sound triumphant. (Of course, that last-name business didn't work so well for Lennon.)

So, you know, Reist, rules can help refine your search, but go with your heart.

If there isn't a site where you can type in a name for an arena test, there should be. With crowd cheers and lots of reverb. Spud? Fluffy?

Googled with no success.
edit: ps, great band name