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The silliest band names ever

Jun 27, 2007, 11:32 AM | by Gary Susman

Categories: Music

Hootie_l Remember when Cracked magazine used to be nothing but parodies, like Mad with training wheels? Now, it seems, it's all just funny lists, like this one of the 25 most ridiculous band names ever. (Thanks, Stereogum. BTW, both these links have some NSFW language.) Now, granted, some band names are clearly absurd; can anybody really say "Hootie and the Blowfish" (pictured), "Hoobastank," or "Limp Bizkit" with a straight face? For other names, however, ridiculousness must be in the ear of the beholder. What's wrong with "Smashing Pumpkins," "Stone Temple Pilots," or "Nickelback"? Seems unfair to penalize a band's name just because the group's music sucks (Puddle of Mudd, Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts); on the other hand, making good music (Mott the Hoople, The The, or the top two bands on the list, whose names I'll leave for you to discover) shouldn't cut you any slack for having a goofy name. Still, I think we can do better (that is, worse). C'mon, any takers for a-ha? Echo and the Bunnymen? Lynyrd Skynyrd? Kajagoogoo?

tori reed Thu, Aug 23, 2007 at 01:34 PM EST

Thats hilareous, i just put my name into google to see what came up and this page did with the worst band names ever, y kant tori reed!!!
Yep it is a pretty random name for a band

Mel Mon, Jul 16, 2007 at 03:55 PM EST

How about !!! (chk chk chk)?

Weird name if I've ever heard one. Great music though.

Josh Mon, Jul 9, 2007 at 07:27 AM EST

three words for u....afganistan bannana stand

Stephanie Travitsky Sat, Jun 30, 2007 at 12:25 PM EST

*for bands.

Stephanie Travitsky Sat, Jun 30, 2007 at 12:24 PM EST

Ok. Fine. My apologies. How about Clap Your Hand and Say Yeah and Reliant K. as replacements?

Oi! The point I was trying to make (and I am sorry if I was being annoying) is that bands, good or bad are going to come up with silly names for names. I mean one could always come up with the unoriginal name like Chicago but it would not be as much fun, would it?

Sarah Fri, Jun 29, 2007 at 11:20 PM EST

I heartily VETO the inclusion of Simple Minds and Talking Heads on this list. Those are awesome band names because they're clever and creative. You might as well include Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin. All these band names are cool beyond belief.

C B H Fri, Jun 29, 2007 at 09:37 AM EST

Stephanie, you overplayed your hand. I hereby negate King's X. I will, however, add Guano Apes.

Stephanie Travitsky Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 08:11 PM EST

They don't bother me. Talking heads and Simple Minds are two of the most fantastic bands ever. But the names are silly, you have to admit just as is Blind Melon. But Ok. I see your point.

Fatima Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 01:42 PM EST

Oh my god Stephanie is there any name that does not bother you?! In the process of trying to name as many as you could, you put in some good ones! I personally like Iron and Wine and Veruca Salt, Fugees, Talking Heads and Simple Minds.

But there is a band named Pissed Jeans and that is just so stupid I don't know if I could ever take them seriously.

Stephanie Travitsky Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 01:34 PM EST

*Ballett

Oh, and Wham!

Stephanie Travitsky Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 01:33 PM EST

True.

Ok. Aztec Camera, Spandau Bellett, Haircut 100, Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club,Simple Minds, Magazine, Magazine 60, X, Kings X, Skinny Puppy, Ten Years After,Jellyfish, Black Eyed Peas, and Fugees.

furry_tom Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 01:18 PM EST

C'mon Stephanie, it's "Hüsker Dü", with umlauts. it's way less silly with the umlauts.

Stephanie Travitsky Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 01:06 PM EST

Sugarloaf
Iron Butterfly
Ocean
Belly
Veruca Salt

Stephanie Travitsky Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 01:04 PM EST

Screaming Trees
Lemonheads
Husker Du
Lemon Pipers
Elastica
Lush
Spyro Gyra (Jazz)
Ned's Atomic Dust Bin
Jesus Jones
April Wine
Iron and Wine
Inspiral Carpets
Stone Roses
Gin Blossoms

moni Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 12:01 PM EST

These may be in my iPod, but it doesn't excuse their weird names:
98 degrees
Bone Thugs n Harmony
Goo Goo Dolls
Head Automatica
Korn (with a K, without a K, the question is still why?)
Maroon 5
Matchbox Twenty
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Saliva (it's just disgusting)
Savage Garden
Shiny Toy Guns
Sugarcult
Switchfoot (what?)
Teriyaki Boys
Weezer
Whitesnake
Ying Yang Twins

Stephanie Travitsky Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 11:47 AM EST

Y Kant Tori Reed

Wonderdobbin Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 11:10 AM EST

The Celibate Rifles
Something Happens
Dumpy's Rusty Nuts

Wonderdobbin Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 11:05 AM EST

What about :
Crispy Ambulance & Goats Don't Shave

Stephanie Travitsky Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 11:00 AM EST

Johnny Hates Jazz
Gallery
Clan of Xymox/Xymox (even if the band is decent)

Sarah Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:58 AM EST

Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Although I loved the "Frankie Say RELAX" t-shirts. Where is mine, by the way???

Stephanie Travitsky Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:55 AM EST

Reel Big Fish
Let's Go Bowling
Pablo Cruz
Squirrel Nut Zippers
Ditty Bopps

Lisa Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 09:52 AM EST

Although they put out some good tunage, I'd have to say !!! (or Chk Chk Chk to make them "searchable) is pretty irritating. Also, love these guys but Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is a ridiculous band name.

Ned Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 09:31 AM EST

The worst band name ever is "String Cheese Incident."

Hands down. No contest.

I'm amazed it was left off the list, and hasn't been mentioned in any comments yet.

(The band is not bad, by the way. It just has a really stupid name.)

cookiemac Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 07:25 AM EST

hey! don't diss the ladies! (barenaked that is)they're better live than recorded

Hey Me Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 07:01 AM EST

What about Strawberry Alarm Clock?

Kandys Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 12:55 AM EST

Panic! at the Disco...I think it's the exclamation point that irks me.

Me Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 09:00 PM EST

Maybe the question should be, if you started up a band, what name would you choose?

Me Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 08:53 PM EST

1910 Fruitgum Co.
Now that one goes way back and still stands tall as a stupid band name.

LaDeeDa Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 07:48 PM EST

Smashing Pumpkins is not a stupid name because
"smashing" is being used as an adjective, not a verb. And everyone loves a good-looking pumpkin.

Yo Yo Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 07:23 PM EST

I think Bowling for Soup is also Monty Python related.
Gym Class Heroes has to be the latest dumb band name... and what about 50 Cent? Yeah, I said it, what what?
P.S. Oingo Boingo may be dumb Coach's Mistress, but Dead Man's Party is still on regular rotation in my CD player... ha I bet I date myself even saying CD player and not Ipod.

ceci Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 05:36 PM EST

Toad the Wet Sprocket is from a Monty Python skit...which automatically takes it off this list...

Sarah Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 05:12 PM EST

Although I love "Tubthumping", Chumbawumba is a very silly name.

n Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 04:54 PM EST

I forgot Slightly Stoopid. Uggggh.

n Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 04:46 PM EST

There are three really bad ones I know of; one will probably be sensored. First two: And They Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead and These Arms are Snakes. Wha? The third one is A - S - S Ponys. Put the first three letters together...if they don't show up, it's another word for a donkey.

Lauren Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 04:15 PM EST

Deathcab for Cutie isn't a dumb name. It's a reference to The Beatles! (Magical Mystery Tour film)

LP Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 04:08 PM EST

The Dude of Life

Stephanie Travitsky Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 03:58 PM EST

Hot Chocolate
Hot Butter

Stephanie Travitsky Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 03:57 PM EST

I have seen her live on Conan and I dn't care for hr singing. Sorry.

Canned Heat was a great band, but come on! The name is just as silly as Moby Grape.

AMY Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 03:39 PM EST

red jumpsuit apparatus?

Vicky Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 03:10 PM EST

The Peanut Butter Conspiracy!!!

Fatima Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 03:05 PM EST

What is wrong with Canned Heat or Feist!?

Wait! I have something to add other than complaining! How about Morning Wood?

Stephanie Travitsky Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 03:03 PM EST

Ottawan
Canned Heat
Hot Tuna
The Guess Who
Classics IV
Loving Spoonful
Spanky and Our Gang
Bush Tetras
Fiest (she's one person, but the name is stupid)
Fight
Love and Rockets
The Bolshoi
Alien Sex Fiend
Alien Ant Farm

Sarah Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 02:40 PM EST

ANIMOTION!
wintersux: don't apologize, life's not worth living if we can't all be 12-year-olds sometimes! I'm still laughing at you new name for Clay Aiken.

Stephanie Travitsky Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 02:32 PM EST

Electric Prunes
Jefferson Airplane/Starship
Krokus
Toadies
The Presidents of The United States of America
Flaming Lips
Ok,Go
Butthole Surfers
Blotto
Dead Milkmen
They Might Be Giants
The Flying Burrito Brothers
Phish
Spoon
Supergrass
Space Hog
Shoes
PHD.
Doctor Hook and the Medicine Show
The Producers
Right Said Fred

Fatima Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 02:28 PM EST

I like how the author of that article mentioned wanting to punch people a bunch of times when I was thinking the same thing about him. I am getting pretty sick of these overly nasty, think they are so clever internet columnists. I am thankful EW, while usually funny, stays away from this attitude.

This would be an example of something they would think is funny, because they practically did it already: A Tribe Called Quest? Why not save us the trouble and name yourselves Quest? HAR HAR!

Hamburger Royal Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 02:03 PM EST

As the real Tony Wilson so poignantly put it in the comentary of 24 Hour Party People: "The worst [band] name is, in fact, one of our own bands and a friend of Joy Division's; a band called Crispy Ambulance.[...] The band had some talent, but they were never going to survive the name Crispy Ambulance. Nor did they."

james woods Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:57 PM EST

My wife hates the name Snow Patrol

Snarker Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:46 PM EST

Well Fred...what do you want them to name themselves - Astrophysics? Calculus? War and Peace?

fredric Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:44 PM EST

Aren't most band names pretty stupid?

Coach's Mistress Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:44 PM EST

Oingo Boingo (I'm dating myself)

Poinky Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:43 PM EST

The Butthole Surfers

Nancy Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:41 PM EST

Fine Young Cannibals

Jason Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:38 PM EST

There's a band in Canada called Finger Eleven which is bad enough, but doesn't measure up to their first name, The Rainbow Butt Monkeys.

TD Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:33 PM EST

Two words: Wang. Chung.

Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:30 PM EST

Barenaked ladies?

Leonardo DeCrappio Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:29 PM EST

The Communards.

bb Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:27 PM EST

Gnarls Barkley anyone?

RealityShoHo Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:18 PM EST

Despite the stupidity of the Hootie moniker, I have to say that Darius Rucker has one of the best voices I've ever heard...yummmmm...

wintersux Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:13 PM EST

Sarah, glad someone thought it was funny...I keep trying to hold off time and gravity by making the kind of comments a 12 year old would make.

Heidi Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:06 PM EST

I second "Deathcab for Cutie". I have a hard time admitting to people that I like them because the name is so lame.

wintersux Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:05 PM EST

I apologize, that was immature.

Sarah Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:05 PM EST

wintersux, good to hear from ya again! LOL on the Aiken name change!

Jules Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:03 PM EST

Enter the Haggis? That's awesome! Are they Scottish?

Jules Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:02 PM EST

Crash Test Dummies. Remember them?

wintersux Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:00 PM EST

A much better first name for Mr. Aiken would be Dick.

Lene Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 01:00 PM EST

Silliest, weirdest and best ever band name belongs to a local Toronto band called Enter the Haggis. Pretty good music, too.

Suze Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:59 PM EST

And the sad thing about Clay Aiken is it's not a made up name. (Do his parents not like him or something?)

Cracker Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:44 PM EST

Clay Aiken is a pretty bad name I think.

Heidi Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:43 PM EST

I second "Deathcab for Cutie". I have a hard time admitting to people that I like them because the name is so lame.

Galadriel Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:34 PM EST

I have to veto Bread. That's like saying The Beatles is a dumb name. But I do nominate the Starland Vocal Band. Afternoon Delight? Anyone else?

daisyj Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:34 PM EST

I don't know if it would have made the list, but at some point I decided that if I ever had a band I would want to call it Self-Titled Debut. If we made a second album, of course, we would have to change it to Eponymous Follow-Up.

FJM Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:31 PM EST

Speaking of monkeys, I timidly nominate The Blow Monkeys. Unless that was supposed to be some kind of drug jargon that I didn't get at the time.

Ep Sato Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:30 PM EST

How about Madison local band "Bongwater"?

And while not the worst name ever, maybe one of the most ironic: Joy Division. Their stuff was depressing as get out, where's the joy in that?

Geez Elaine Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:29 PM EST

Stuck in the 80's much????

Lena Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:17 PM EST

I nominate Death Cab for Cutie.

Kim Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:14 PM EST

Let's not forget Papa Roach

Cliff Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:12 PM EST

Deep Blue Something, Vertical Horizon, The Verve Pipe.

Ceballos Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 12:05 PM EST

I have to second Bowling for Soup...exceedingly stupid.

Murray Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 11:41 AM EST

Godspeed You Black Emporer and ... And You Will Know Us by the Trail Of the Dead are just way too long. they would have made decent names... for double LPs on the early seventies.

and i'm sorry, but no matter how popular they are, and how great they may be, i can't bring myself to listen to The Arctic Monkeys, b/c that's just dumb. maybe i watch too many Nature documentaries.

GeeMoney Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 11:23 AM EST

Counting Crows is pretty bad. So is Days of the New. Does that even make sense?

Lu Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 11:22 AM EST

Toad the Wet Sprocket

Melissa Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 11:17 AM EST

I'm going to throw Daughtry out there, and see if I get any nibbles. They should have just named the band "Idol."

Elaine Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 11:09 AM EST

Bananarama, Cinderella, and I am sure that I can think of others. Oh, also Ratt.

Janice Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 11:04 AM EST

Bowling for Soup is easily one of the dumbest band names ever. So is Bread

Moz Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 11:00 AM EST

The most ridiculous band name in recent memory is:

The Academy Is...

Also, a great band with terrible name is Elbow. How can a band ever make it big with a name like "Elbow"?

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