Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Last-name-only band names

I have, since 1996 or so, collected last-name-only band names.  Until now, the list has been in my head, but now I invite you, the internet, to add to the electronic version my list if you can.  I don't expect a deluge of comments right away, but I am putting my faith in the long tail that we will have a definitive list here by sometime in the year 2112.  Clarification: the name of the band has to be the last name of one (or more) of the members of the band.

Here is the list so far:

Man, this list is a real sausage fest.  I don't think there's a lady in any of these bands,* although there are a lot of falsetto abusers.  I would like to count Feist, but according to her Wikipedia page, "Feist" just refers to the singer herself, and not any backing band.  

Bands that don't count, but almost do:
  • Fleetwood Mac
  • The Ramones, The Smiths, etc.
If you suggest one of these bands, you don't get it:
  • The Jimi Hendrix Experience
  • Dave Matthews Band
On a related note, thanks again to my colleague Nick J., for his substantive critique of my JBJ post.  The phrase "valiant teller of rock-and-roll truths" has now been committed to the internet, and nothing can prevent it from being archived into infinitude.  For that, I salute you.  Thanks as well for the contributions to my ongoing list.  I had no idea that Winger was (a) that dude's last name and (b) still playing.

* 2/20/09 Update: New commenter and venison acquirer McGillicuddy/Swamp (which could be a band name on this list if he found somebody named Swamp) has added the first legitimate two-name last-name-only band name, with his suggestion of Wilson Phillips!  This is a triumphant find.  He would also have added the first band with female members if Will hadn't already suggested Labelle last week.

11 comments:

  1. Vallejo is in.
    Van Morrison is out, but Vanmorrison would be a believable last name.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Also, The Smiths is out but Smith is in.

    ReplyDelete
  3. One wouldn't want to leave out Hanson.

    ReplyDelete
  4. [Chill, Post-Rock, RIYL Tortoise] Lazlo Hollyfeld - The Pacer EP

    just found this on one of my "sources" of internet musiks. had no idea you made so much "chill post rock"…

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Am I totally breaking (i.e. ignoring) the rules here when I suggest Wilson Phillips? In any case, it's two names in one for f#@* sake, and it crashes the dude list!

    ReplyDelete
  7. oh and by the way, I believe that the whole thing started with Montrose, Ronnie Montrose's band

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrose_%28band%29

    ReplyDelete
  8. My list is from the 70's
    - Crosby, Stills and Nash (and Young)
    - Emerson, Lake and Palmer
    - Seals and Crofts

    ReplyDelete
  9. My list is from the 70's

    - Crosby, Stills and Nash (and Young)
    - Emerson, Lake and Palmer
    - Seals and Crofts

    ReplyDelete