Independent Music band – Naming Your Band
Posted by Music Concerts | Posted in Music Concerts | Posted on 10-04-2009
0
Virtually all people would say the 1st thing to do is to find a name for the band. Lets start from there s club we??
The auditions are over, you’ve found your bass player and you all seem to get along really well. The excitement is in the air and you’ve had your 1st band bonding celebration.
Now its time to start your musical journey together.
Personally, I think that locating a band name is THE hardest decision that the band will ever have to make and consequently one of the most vital decisions as well.
A band name is a surprisingly vital part of the bands identity. It’s the 1st point of contact a punter has with the band.
Does this conversation sound familiar to you?
Them: “Hey, I saw this cool band last night. You gotta check them out”
You: “Cool, what has been the name of the band?”
Them: “Ummmmmm……. I don’t know”.
Arrrrrgh!!!! I get that all the time.
I can’t recall how many times people have raved about a band to me but can’t tell me the name when I ask them. Right there is the has been ted occasion for a band. It frustrates me no end.
This is a best example of how extremely vital a band name is.
The band name is the 1st thing that a punter will recall. They won’t address the band by the names of the individuals in it when they talk to their companions (unless they’re individual companions of yours) they will address the band by its name.
The best way to find a band name is through sheer persistance. Finding a band name that’s agreeable by everybody is not an easy task.
Here are some band name event suggestions:
1. Get every member to write down their own list of potential band names
This can be the 1st task that the band could do collectively. set a date for the 1st band meeting and amidst now and then do that task.
2. Make brainstorming band names the topic of your 1st ever band meeting
When everybody gets together put all of the lists out on the table and go through each one keeping to one side the names that ’strike a chord’ (sorry about the pun) with all of you and getting rid of the rest.
As a group try brainstorming some ideas. This is a wonderful way to start formulating what the band is all about, what its image is etc, etc.
3. Establish a competition among all your companions /family/anyone else via email
This is a wonderful way to start compiling the beginnings of your bands email list. List all of your companions /family/anyone else that you want to include and their email addresses and compile them all into one mailing group. Send out an email outlining the competition and be ready for the suggestions to come flooding in.
It’s vital to have a cut off date for the competition (perhaps by your 1st band meeting) and to have a prize on offer. Of course the prize is totally up to you.
Make sure that when you do find a band name that you announce it through your email group. You have just started email promotion of your band.
Whatever you do have fun with the process and don’t let the quest to find a band name override the other things that you’ve to do such as writing songs and locating rehearsal space.
I guarantee that once you’ve agreed on a band name you’ll all collectively breathe a immense sigh of relief. The hardest part of the journey has been achieved.

