ROCK 101:

Part II

here's the next (brief) installment of...

ROCK 101: A How-To Guide on Being in an Unsuccessful Rock Band

so before we delve any further into the realm of indie rock survivalism, let's get this whole band name thing over with...

SIDEBAR: CHOOSING A BAND NAME

         now ultimately, you're goal as a rock band is to make a name for yourselves and you can't do this without, you know, literally making a name for yourself first.  choosing a proper band name is important. not as important as your overall sound or whether you're any good at all, but important none the less. think of it this way: a band name no matter how phenomenally clever it may be, won't mean a thing if the band itself sucks. there's no name in the english language (or esperanto or swahili or any other language for that matter) that can redeem a totally inept and shitty-sounding band. likewise, an awesome-sounding band with an awful-sounding name probably won't go very far either, but this is up to debate. there are probably a few exceptions to this.
        first off, a band name should somehow define the band's sound/style/attitude/outlook. this is no easy task and things become increasingly more difficult when trying to get each bandmate to agree on a single name and to stick with it. if you're in a punk band naturally you're gonna want a name thats gritty and raunchy (like the sex pistols or buzzcocks) 'cause that's what punk's about. if your goal is to be bland, then name your band something like, oh i don't know, the dave matthews band.
        come up with a couple ideas. make a list. then, do some research. i'll assume if you're computer-savvy enough to read a blog, you can manage a simple search on google or myspace. run the names on your list and see if any rock bands pop up that have the same name. don't get your hopes up. chances are most of the good band names are already taken--most of the bad ones too. probably multiple times. but that shouldn't necessarily stop you. do some further research into the bands. if they're fellow unsigned and unsuccessful bands with very little hits on the site, few if any shows, and low-quality music, then i don't see the harm in taking the name. a lot of band accounts on myspace are inactive and have been for quite some time. the band may have broken up years ago. etc, etc. in cases like these, i'd say keep the name. just so long as you're confident you can surpass their popularity if need be.
        look at it this way: if you wanted a completely original band name, it would have to be something so long-winded and bizarre that no one in the history of rock n roll has ever thought of it before. also, you might be surprised to find out that even some of the most peculiar names are already taken. like if you wanted to name your band, say, the Strawberry Alarm Clock you'd be saddened to find out it has already been taken.             
       so don't worry so much about whether other obscure garage rockers share the same name. just make sure once you've started making a name for yourselves in the underground music scene, you stick with the name. you'll start playin shows, recording demos, and building a fanbase with this name and changing it spur of the moment might make you lose your reputation. why do you think a douche-bag like axl rose would start a band with a group of brand-new musicians a decade later and have the balls to call it Guns n Roses? it's the name. it has a reputation and following of its own that he's trying to piggy-back off of. granted this is blatant infringement and should probably be punishable by death, but at least you can see how important a band name can become once things get rolling.   

that is all for now.