Name Matters?

DrGonzo

Hi, ?

So i wanted to get some feedback from you trusty forumites, I had a chat with Alan about this _ but thought i will check out some opinions of you guys as well, it makes for an interesting discussion in any case on the nature of band names..

So I play for a new band which we called OhGod! - we went with the name based on the expression of an intense moment or that something crazy is about to happen...
did not think too much more into it than that, but now after a couple of conversations with other people Im questioning on whether having a slightly controversial name, will hinder rather than help us down the line, in terms of getting endorsements and press, interviews and some venues.
We play instrumental post rock and prog metal so our listeners are quite open minded.

What are your thoughts on this? :-\ I don't personally see anything offensive in the name at all, but then again I was not brought up in a very religious environment

Im very interested to hear some feedback...

We thought that a name that attracts attention is not a bad thing and will help us get ahead but Its still early days and we wanna take this far, so perhaps thinking of the future is a good thing too.

Also, generally, how important is a band name really.... I believe that after a while, a band name just becomes a word that is associated with the music and the musicians and loses all meaning if it had any to begin with

psyx

I think this is similar to fokofpolisiekar's story... They chose that name to attract attention and also as a bit of an act of rebellion against the norms in Afrikaans culture.
The problem then with your band if you go by that name is that you immediately fixate attention on the controversy of the name. Some would think its a purposeful blaspheme with the aim of attacking religion... And in the meanwhile you just wanna rock n roll. So the problem would be unwanted attention maybe and the possible potential of losing fans. So a safer approach might be to water it down to something equally catching, but less controversial. Just my 2c

Keira-WitherKay

in the modern technological age....where everyone googles everything...names are very important.....

if you pick the correct name ..... you can make sure it's easily google (able) and does not have multiple other instututions or people who get found in the same search............

in your case OH GOD is a name of a george burns film http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh,_God!
so you will be linked to that .... and it was a comedy ...so if you playing serious music ...mmmmmmm
also a strong christian connotation in the phrase and lastly as you mentioned some might think it blasphemous too

but hey you make your name what it is ....... but in the digital age online where your names gets "sorted" and appears in searches according to it's spelling and content .... just check you cool with that ...

*** and on a lighter side ....always remember an easy way to find a band name is just use put together the "colour of your pants and the last thing you ate "

Squonk

Going on Keira's advice my band would be called Black Organic Cereal, which kind of does have a great sound to it!

Seriously though; Your name might stir up some controversy, but in a 'biblical' perspective Oh God would be more "acknowledging God" than being blasphemous.

You might get more trouble from the Atheists ?

I think it's a good name.

I think the name of a band is very important, imagine Abba were called "The Psycho Gentiles"! but I think you are right in that the meaning or origin have little to do with music.

PeteM

I think that the mere mention of GOD gives your name a religious connotation be it contentious with some audiences or not. My first reaction was that you were a Christian band. If that is what you're looking for then great.Why don't you just call your band OMG.

aubs1

DrGonzo wrote Hi, ?
What are your thoughts on this? :-\ I don't personally see anything offensive in the name at all, but then again I was not brought up in a very religious environment

That's cool ..... but if it's offensive to many/certain people, why would you wanna go there? The mere fact that you ask the question, suggests that you know it will be offensive! ?

Just my opinion .....

studmissile

What kind of band are you guys and gals?

DrGonzo

Thanks for the response guys

studmissile wrote What kind of band are you guys and gals?

We are Instrumental, post rock and Progressive metal... Listen here ?
www.soundcloud.com/ohgodband

Aubs1 wrote That's cool ..... but if it's offensive to many/certain people, why would you wanna go there? The mere fact that you ask the question, suggests that you know it will be offensive! ?

Just my opinion .....

What I mean is that, I don't find it offensive in the slightest, but in the context of my own environment.. I guess some people might tho, yes.
but is it really that bad?? ... It is something that everyone, including Christians, say everyday in many situations without even realising it.
Bands like EyeHateGod. thats offensive and blasphemous.

I think the main question is will it offend any of our core listeners, which the answer is probably not?...

Well its a tricky situation, because changing it now is really poor form, and very un rock and roll... we have already changed it from the previous band name like 2 months ago (the other 3 guys were in a band in Joburg before moving down) and also we have quite a few fans already down here.

Do you think it will really hinder shop endorsements and media coverage? I mean companies like Mesa Boogie overtly sponsor bands like Lamb of God and a ton more heavier death metal bands and on the other side also sponsor a number of church organisations and gospel bands... I think that as long as their product is getting exposure then everyone is happy

studmissile

As a progressive metal band it's fine stick with it - that said to me it sounds a little cliched within that sphere, your actual profile name would be more interesting "drgonzo", but that's just me.

You've done some really good stuff it deserves a interesting and unique name, but if you guys have settled on it and happy with it just keep reelin' and a rockin'!

AlanRatcliffe

As discussed via PM...

I'm of the view that you don't run the risk of alienating any potential fans. Unless that is your aim - to alienate one group to get die-hard followers from another.

While they are in the minority (especially these days), I have known some who would find the name offensive or at least disrespectful to others. Not all of the offended would necessarily be deeply religious themselves either - some will feel uncomfortable on behalf of others who will be offended.

There is always the chance of one or two influential folk (like radio DJs, potential endorsers/sponsors or music company execs) passing on playing or promoting your music just in case and a small issue like this can have a large impact.

Aubs1 wrote The mere fact that you ask the question, suggests that you know it will be offensive! ?

A very good point.

DrGonzo wrote Well its a tricky situation, because changing it now is really poor form, and very un rock and roll...

Beg to differ. Numerous name changes are very much the norm for the first year of any band's existance.

we have already changed it from the previous band name like 2 months ago

Two months is nothing compared to being forced to change it two years down the line.

DrGonzo

Noted. Equally good opinions from both sides of the fence.
Will have to have a band meeting sometime this week and relay all of this to the rest of the guys... Ultimately I joined their band and it was their name choice anyway so will see what they say. :?

Charlie4

studmissile wrote As a progressive metal band it's fine stick with it - that said to me it sounds a little cliched within that sphere, your actual profile name would be more interesting "drgonzo", but that's just me.

You've done some really good stuff it deserves a interesting and unique name, but if you guys have settled on it and happy with it just keep reelin' and a rockin'!

DrGonzo is a very cool name for a prog band imo. It makes me think of GONG. Can't get more crazy prog than that. 8)

studmissile

Dr Gonzo And Patient Zero!

AlanRatcliffe

Charlie4 wrote It makes me think of GONG. Can't get more crazy prog than that. 8)

Damn, I thought I was one of a very few people who know Gong! Gong with Hillage/Allen or Moerlen's Gong?

aubs1

Ok, just another point, if the band is really, really good, you will NOT need to have a name that's considered controversial.
I like lots of bands that have real "crappy" names, not for the name, but for the music.

LooneyAtTheGate

I think OhGod is a great name, it kind of stands out, yet fits in with the current trend in post-metal/rock band names.

A controversial name is always a winner.. Springbok Nude Girls, Fokofpolisiekar.. those names kind of slap you in the face and demand your attention. A name should stand out on a compilation playlist, yet be easy to google.

Warren

I think the name is quite funny, but will add that if you want to keep it you should be prepared to field lots of questions about the band name that have nothing to do with your music (when you become famous one day). I think that kind of thing can get very annoying over time.

Alan is right that we don't live in a completely secular society and some people may pass you over because of perceived religious connotations (or outright offensiveness), and that would be a shame.

IMO you'd be better off with something like OhSh!t as opposed to OhGod, but there aren't any rules after all. ?

Charlie4

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Charlie4 wrote It makes me think of GONG. Can't get more crazy prog than that. 8)
Damn, I thought I was one of a very few people who know Gong! Gong with Hillage/Allen or Moerlen's Gong?

Sorry Alan, it seems I'm not so clued up on them as you. Very interesting band though.
I found them through ProgArchives.com - for anything prog that site is AWESOME! 8)

Squonk

Charlie4 wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Charlie4 wrote It makes me think of GONG. Can't get more crazy prog than that. 8)
Damn, I thought I was one of a very few people who know Gong! Gong with Hillage/Allen or Moerlen's Gong?
Sorry Alan, it seems I'm not so clued up on them as you. Very interesting band though.
I found them through ProgArchives.com - for anything prog that site is AWESOME! 8)

Great band. Preferred the initial band although the first album without Allen, can't think of the name did get a bit jazzy, which in those days was quite foreign to me, could be different if I had a listen now!

I just recently acquired after all the years "Fish Rising" which was on sale at Look and Listen for about R10.00! Good stuff

Charlie4

Squonk wrote
Charlie4 wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Charlie4 wrote It makes me think of GONG. Can't get more crazy prog than that. 8)
Damn, I thought I was one of a very few people who know Gong! Gong with Hillage/Allen or Moerlen's Gong?
Sorry Alan, it seems I'm not so clued up on them as you. Very interesting band though.
I found them through ProgArchives.com - for anything prog that site is AWESOME! 8)
Great band. Preferred the initial band although the first album without Allen, can't think of the name did get a bit jazzy, which in those days was quite foreign to me, could be different if I had a listen now!

I just recently acquired after all the years "Fish Rising" which was on sale at Look and Listen for about R10.00! Good stuff

10 Bucks for a decent album is a mighty fine price indeed. 8) The best I could do was R25, on TakeALOT, for Mahavishnu Orchestra - Birds of Fire.