Viccy wrote:
There are lots of names that are less well known that you could find easier to rip off, but as far as well known ones go I think Def Leopard is pretty silly. I mean, "Definitely Leopard", "Deaf Leopard", either interpretation is bad. They'd even be better off being "De Leopard".
It's even dumber when you consider the spelling: Def Leppard. Hey it was the '80s & taste didn't matter as long as you looked "mean" and had a spiky font on your album cover, airbrushed to look like chrome or steel. Add in umlauts anywhere and you were cool.
Mika does ask a pertinent question - what would be considered a good name? I guess any artist calling themselves by their name is at least honest, even if some names sound quirky or dorky. These may seem to lack imagination but at least what's on the tin matches the contents.
I exclude Gary Glitter & Englebert Humperdink from the "acceptable" list.
Some names won't translate well beyond the context of their time if you don't know the origins (such as UB40: the form number for the UK's unemployment benefits claims). Some won't translate outside of a culture. It's a one-man's-meat deal for the majority of band names, though some are so obviously bad that we have to ask if the band was serious or taking the mick.
Personally I've always liked "The The" simply because it sticks up two fingers at the habit of prefacing band names with "the".
