Question

Topic: Branding

Reasons For Potential Rock Band Name Change - Need Name Suggestions

Posted by Anonymous on 6/22/2011 at 12:25 PM ET 250 Points
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  • Posted by Gail@PUBLISIDE on 6/22/2011 at 2:13 PM Accepted
    Truthfully, I think you could start with another name, but until you have a better sound (without guitar player you IDed as being criticized). People gravitate toward unusual band names, so I don't know that the name is your problem. You need to impress people with your sound and bookings will take off. Look at the Kinks. They didn't do too badly, and that was in a more conservative time.
  • Posted by mgoodman on 6/22/2011 at 5:10 PM Accepted
    Without knowing any more than what you've said, my gut reaction is to keep the name and just promote the fact that you have a new guitar player. It's not easy to change names, and it takes time to get name recognition.

    You can even go with something like "The New {Name Removed}" to highlight the fact that something has changed. And if you follow that with "John Doe on Guitar" the people who care will "get it." (And others may not care one way or the other.)

    If you need more, we're located in Fairfield County, CT and would be happy to talk by phone if you think it would help.
  • Posted by Andy Fracica, MBA on 6/22/2011 at 9:46 PM Accepted
    Paula,

    I like the band name, and I don't think it will drive away fans. When I lived in OK I used to hire a band called Kinky Slinky for a neighborhood association parties where the age group ran from kids to people in their 70's. That band was well received because of the diversity of the music they could play. They played everything from classic rock to current music.

    Having said that, if you have negative publicity because of your former guitar player, then your brand capital in your name may not be too good; however, before you ditch the name in favor of a new name, I would do a survey of your audiences to see how the name tests. If it tests negatively it may pay to reform the band with a new name. Bands do this all the time. This would cut your losses and give you an opportunity to promote the new band.

    If the name tests decently then I would keep it. I would find a place to hold a free concert, I would invite all of the local radio stations, give them free tickets to give away to their audiences, I would invite the local TV studios to come out and cover the event, and I would invite the local critics to listen to the band. That will create a buzz about the band; you can promote the new band members and you can show off your music and your style. You could also consider charging a nominal amount and donate the proceeds to the local Make-a-Wish chapter or to the USO. Maybe you could get a few local bands to donate their time for the exposure to make it a bigger event.

    I hope this helps,

    Andy Fracica
  • Posted on 6/22/2011 at 10:13 PM Author
    @ Gail@PUBLICIDE, The band sounds with our new guitar player. We have promoted the change just the way you've mentioned, But, with the word "Kink" in it, we are not doing ourselves any favors from a corporate view. I agree with your thoughts on the name, though. It's really targeting the right audience with a name like that.

    Asking a couple of clubs to hire us again was like pulling teeth. Even with the "new" guitar player. What's really changed in music started in the 90's when before, clubs relied on themselves to bring a crowd. Now the band is responsible to bring their crowd everywhere. The challenge now is, If a band has to build a following, the clubs don't want to work together with the band to build it.

    Word must have been spread that our guitar player was not consistently good. People translate that to "that band is awful" Then, they tell two people and so on, even when the singer, drummer and keyboard player are great. No one said anything to us at all until we let the guy go.

    We had a friend come and see us and he said: "wow, you guys are unbelievably good. I thought you guys sucked and that's why we never came to see you for the last year."

    Unfortunately, I didnt ask who told him that! But I asked him to write a testimonial on our fanpage.

    It seems really hard to backpedal the situation. Don't get me wrong, we have some hardcore fans. But, they are 30's and up.

    The goal is to release the record and get the music out targeting the right market. Our musics marketing strategy is good. Our music is good. And the response when we play the stuff live is, people ask for another original tune.

    It's killing me to change the name. Most people love it.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 6/22/2011 at 10:15 PM Accepted
    Can you try something like: "{Name Removed} 2.0" or "{Name Removed} Reborn"? This will leverage your existing name but convey it's not the same old band.

    If you're not getting the bookings you're trying to get - ask the local party/event planners for some guidance. It may be your name or it may be your music or it may be your performing style. You don't know until you ask.

    You can always rebirth yourself with a new name. But only do this if it's clear that the rebranding is worth it - you won't lose bookings/fans because you're an unknown. In fact, why not ask your 572 fans what they think?
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