Remember watching Jimmy Neutron on Nickelodeon? Remember the episode where Jimmy invents instruments that play music if you think of the notes, then Jimmy, Sheen, and Carl start a band called "The Llama Lords of Science" and everyone gets caught up in the fame and so they eventually break up right before the talent show?
That episode was wild.
If someone said to me "Hey, have you heard of the Llama Lords of Science?" I would probably say no. But I'd also be very curious as to what their music was. A band name isn't just an identity of the artist, it's also a way to get people interested in your music. It's a name and a hook. You want to grab people's attention and then make them remember who you are.
Here are some of the best and the weirdest band names out there:
Their album, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is *iconic* and one of the rare albums where you like every single song. Top 40 enthusiasts might not appreciate the sound, hipsters will either love it or hate it, and broad-range music enthusiasts will know and appreciate it.
The genre that best fits this duo would be described as Queer-Glamour-Indie-Punk. Expect the unexpected. Just throw your expectations out the window and open your ears to a great sound.
"I'm just a bag of bags." "It's the ending to a sad story on a Monday afternoon." "Come on Chelsea, speak a little French to me, I heard you spent two whole semesters drinking wine." Honesty is the best policy, and both their lyrics and their vocals are both brutally and refreshingly honest.
You probably jammed out to "High School Never Ends" before you were in high school. At least I did. They've got rock anthems and ballads galore that get stuck in your head.
Death Cab for Cutie formed in the late 90s, but a new wave of fans came in when "Meet Me On the Equinox" was featured in one of the Twilight films. A classic indie sound, you can't grow tired of them.
The two frontmen (who appeared on a season of The Voice) were having a conversation, and one said to the other, *cue southern accent*: "Would you like to start a band with me?" and the other said "Miight as weeell." Thus, Midas Whale was born.
If you're into more avant garde music, this is exactly what you need. Get ready to push the boundaries of combining electronic, vocals, and world instruments--this is exploring music as an art form.
They're Australian.
Everyone can go home right now. That's it, goodnight, bye. You're never going to find a better band name than "Tiger! Shit! Tiger! Tiger!"
Tennessee Williams wouldn't approve of a band named "STELLA" not being in all caps. STEEEELLLLLAAAAAA.
...also a song by Neutral Milk Hotel, in case you were wondering.
Deadboy & the Elephantmen
You would probably expect a dark, grungy sound from a band like Deadboy & the Elephantmen, but aside from "Stop, I'm Already Dead," they embody an unexpected but enjoyable easy-rock tone.
Other bands with weird names and good music that you should check out:
I Eat Pancakes
And my contributions for cool-and-a-bit-weird band names:
Our Lord in the Attic
There is this museum in Amsterdam with the same name--it used to be a church in someone's home, when Catholics in the Netherlands weren't allowed to publicly worship. A cool museum, and a cool name for a band.
A Cat Named Lazarus
Remember the story of the people who found a cat that suffered a fall, but nursed it back to health even when it seemed close to death? The cat was literally named Lazarus.
Venus Infers
(like Venus In Furs but...with an inference)
Comet & Bethany
I dunno...it just sounds cool? Maybe "Comet" is a nickname for Claire or Cate and she and Bethany are two really good friends who make interesting music together?
CandyDandelions
Sounds pop-ish but could also be more experimental/jazz/electronic. So many possibilities.
