Band Name Change???!

epictring

Hey guys, I'm here again asking the opinion of the experts..Although I think this question is quite an easy one. ?

Well we've done a few gigs now, and today our vocalist came up and said at practice: "Let's change our name"
Our name is Waking Breath. I'm worried by changing the name the whole reputation the band has already built up will be mostly destroyed when we change our name. But IF we are to change it I guess sooner than later will be better.

The meaning of the name is kind of like "waking up" listeners to the actual word as we easy get lost in our lives instead of focusing on the most important and "breath" referring to the vocalist. You can read the full description on our facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/wakingbreath).

But I mean f*okofpolisiekar's name is hilarious and look where they are today.
So should we really change our name? I argue that there will always be people telling you your name sucks. Just like there will be people hating your music, and then some loving it.

Thanks

Tonedef

Eww. First thing that comes to my mind is morning halitosis. ?

Riaan-Combrink

Tonedef wrote: Eww. First thing that comes to my mind is morning halitosis. ?

Yep - what I thought too :-[ I get it with your explanation, but it does unfortunately have this rather unfortunate connection!

You raise an important issue, though. Our duo has been gigging under our name since 2008. We've played lots of venues and corporates,and the name is well known on the circuit we move in. But I've also become convinced the name sucks, and want to get rid of it. But now we're kinda stuck, as we may lose a lot in terms of people knowing the brand.

So you're thinking is spot-on IMO. If you're gonna change, do it sooner rather than later.

aja

how about changing it to something similar?

like "waking light"
or "dawn inspired"
or "first respire"
or "morning ether"
etc... etc...

Squonk

Ezekiel's Wheel

epictring

Alright thanks for the feedback.

But I mean, we are going to come on stage and the people are gonna be like... "So who's this now????"
And no one will know who we are anymore, including venues etc.

So how do you restore the image? We just played a massive gig this past weekend and now it's all for..nothing?

Riaan-Combrink

epictring wrote: Alright thanks for the feedback.

But I mean, we are going to come on stage and the people are gonna be like... "So who's this now????"
And no one will know who we are anymore, including venues etc.

So how do you restore the image? We just played a massive gig this past weekend and now it's all for..nothing?

Communicate with the venues you've played, and advise them professionally (e-mail, flyer, via FB page or website) of the name change. Make it an event in itself - pure marketing. For a few months, include '(formerly known as Waking Breath') on posters and flyers. It will sink in in, and then you can drop it. Bigger brands with far more goodwill and higher stakes have done this in the ordinary commerical world. You do know that FNB used to be Barclays, and that Trust Bank existed before ABSA right - or can't you remember? Don't be too precious about it - it can work. ?

Jack-Flash-Jr

Waking Breath [hr] Sleeping Gas.
Um... maybe not.

Hammeron

BOOMSLANG

epictring

LoL quite a few interesting ideas coming out.

I also asked on our fb page to our fans if we should change and what did they think, 1/10 said we should change. The rest loved the name and never even thought of it that way.

So we don't want to change unless it's absolutely necessary, and right now it looks like there aren't a lot of people complaining about it.

Thanks for the suggestions though, I'm sure there are others that are going to come by this and take them to use.
And for the people mocking the name..IMO they are simply doing it out of jealousy ? ? ? - school kids.. :?

DonovanB

Just look at it as a re-branding exercise.

epictring wrote: I also asked on our fb page to our fans if we should change and what did they think, 1/10 said we should change. The rest loved the name and never even thought of it that way.

If you only have 10 fans then you can change easy ? just kidding.

Remember to take into account who the fans are that say what. There could be biased opinion there. They should be excluded from the poll...

Warren

Front Bum Frenzy

Use it. I'm not allowed to.

Hammeron

Warren....I worry about you

Warren

Hammeron wrote: Warren....I worry about you

You are not alone... ?

Depending on HOW worried you are, donations are welcome!

Tonedef

Hey, who's mocking the name? It was like a rorshach test! ?

dee

Tonedef wrote: Hey, who's mocking the name? It was like a rorshach test! ?

Now there's a name!

Tonedef

Yeah I'm glad I thought of it! Im a gee nyas! ?

theantirockstar

nah best name ever for a band: killer kittens from spain :-\.

epictring

Hey! We decided on Storm Under Control..
Wasn't my vote, but it's ok.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Storm-Under-Control/198811463478637

costafonix

ok,, whatever you do, don't abbreviate that name....
S.U.C. ☹ ?