Ongoing History of New Music
Episode: 60 More Band Name Origins in 60 Minutes
Host: Alan Cross
Released: September 17, 2025
Overview
In this playful, fact-packed episode, legendary host Alan Cross returns to a beloved topic: the origins of band names—a field he’s dubbed bandaminology. Expanding his mission to popularize this (as-yet unofficial) word, Cross walks listeners through 60 stories behind the names of bands spanning alt-rock, punk, pop, metal, and more. The episode’s structure is brisk and entertaining—part trivia contest, part etymological detective work, and all delivered with Alan Cross’s wry tone and dedication to surprising detail.
Key Themes & Structure
- What Is Bandaminology?: Alan Cross proposes and advocates for a new word: "bandaminology," the study of how bands get their names.
- Sections Breakdown: Origins are divided into categories: current bands, retro acts, “what were they thinking?” names, terrible original names, offensive names, and just plain dumb names (dumb on purpose, of course).
- Insights on Naming: The creative (and sometimes chaotic) processes behind choosing a band name, including trademark hurdles, in-jokes, literary influences, and happy accidents.
Main Discussion Points and Insights
Introduction: The Struggle of Naming a Band
[02:06]
- Alan laments the agony bands face in finding a unique, catchy name that everyone agrees on.
- Explores linguistic roots: etymology, onomastics—but “bandaminology” fills a real gap.
- Entertaining demonstration of an “AI band name generator”—with amusing results: “19 Times Rock”, “Indie Elephants”, “Albert of War Feet”.
Quote:
"I want [bandaminology] to catch on so that someday it will end up in the Oxford English Dictionary. So far though, the OED people won't take my calls." — Alan Cross [02:06]
Section 1: Current Popular Groups (Band Names 1–20)
[06:41–19:04]
Rage Against the Machine
[07:23]
- Name originally used by Zach De La Rocha’s previous band; possibly inspired by a punk zine; commonly thought to reference societal oppression—but may simply refer to a hated Chevy van.
- Quote:
"The machine that they were raging against was a 1979 Chevy van." — Alan Cross [09:30]
Blind Melon
[08:08]
- From guitarist’s dad's term for hippies, possibly via Cheech & Chong; links to blues musician Blind Lemon Jefferson.
Bush
[08:40]
- Picked for simplicity and cheekiness, suggested by a video director. Legal issues in Canada led to temporary use of "Bush X".
Wolfmother
[11:39]
- Chosen at the last possible minute before their first gig, after a word from a Tom Robbins novel.
Garbage
[13:07]
- “That sounds like garbage” was a friend’s insult—embraced for its irreverence.
Blink-182
[15:13]
- Name change from Blink forced by Irish copyright conflict. The “182” origin remains murky—ranging from Scarface trivia to high school code.
Quote:
“The proper pronunciation of the band’s name is not Blink 182, but Blink 18 2." — Alan Cross [16:35]
Other Notables
- Mumford & Sons: evoking an old family business [10:29]
- System of a Down: adapted from “Victims of a Down” to alphabetically align with Slayer [13:54]
- Panic! at the Disco: exclamation mark controversy; inspired by their own song lyric [14:18]
Section 2: Retro Bands & Legendary Names (21–40)
[22:04–29:25]
Simple Minds
- Evolved from “Johnny and the Self Abusers”; themed via Bowie lyrics (“so simple minded...”).
Tears for Fears & Primal Scream
- Both names reference psychologist Arthur Janoff and his primal therapy ideas.
Metallica
- Given up by a friend starting a fanzine, who chose “Metal Mania” instead.
The Police
- Chosen for punk-era provocativeness and as a nod to drummer Stewart Copeland’s CIA family [24:27].
The Dead Milkmen
- Literary origin: “Milkman Dead” from Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon.
Other Notables
- Econoline Crush: after the ubiquitous Ford band van [25:58]
- King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: a compromise between two rival name suggestions [28:59]
- Rainbow Butt Monkeys: joke gone too far before morphing into Finger 11 [29:25]
Section 3: Terrible Original Names (41–46)
[31:04–32:34]
- Naked Toddler (Creed), Shrinky Dinks (Sugar Ray), Young Aborigines (Beastie Boys), Obelisk/Easy Cure (The Cure), On A Friday (Radiohead), Hitler’s Underpants (OMD).
- Story behind Radiohead: Named after a Talking Heads song.
Quote:
“At number 46, one of the worst band names of all time ... they were originally called, and this is absolutely true, Hitler’s Underpants.” — Alan Cross [31:47]
Section 4: Offensive or Deliberately Shocking Names (47–50)
[32:34–33:50]
- The Slits: punk-provocative, all-female band.
- Diarrhea Planet: six-piece punk, founded in a college dorm room.
- Fucked Up: band members with planned self-destruction, named accordingly.
- “Festival of F Bands” in Austria: lineup included several bands with explicit names.
- Butthole Surfers: Result of a mistaken club introduction; kept because it stuck.
Section 5: Dumb (On Purpose) and “What Were They Thinking?” Names (51–60)
[33:50–40:00]
- Dogs Die in Hot Cars: Scottish band.
- Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs: kept adding Pigs to be obnoxious.
- Lubricated Goat: noisy and offensive Aussie band.
- Paracachi Diado, Mycosis Proctitis Sarcomucosus: Mexican goregrind band; name is a combo of various diseases.
- Wet Leg: British indie stars, name chosen from random emoji combinations.
- Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head: Now called Bright Futures; quirky Seattle band.
- the the: name chosen for peak punk trendiness, and infamously hard to Google.
Quote:
“What could be more trendy in punk than calling your group the The?” — Alan Cross [37:35]
- !!! (chk chk chk): Name inspired by sounds in The Gods Must Be Crazy movie; pronounced “chik chik chik”.
- Test Icicles: Self-explanatory; for provocation.
- Slightly Stoopid: Signed to Sublime’s label while still in high school; reflective of their stoner outlook.
Slightly Stoopid Trivia:
Pressed a record into hash resin—not a successful format for playback, but definitely on-brand for the band.
“Turns out that hash resin does not make a good medium. They did not sound good. And the experiment didn’t work out well, except for one thing, because once it didn’t work, you just crush it up and smoke it.” — Alan Cross [39:38]
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “If you’ve ever been in a band, you’ll know how torturous it is to find a name.” — Alan Cross [04:57]
- “This is why we need serious bandaminologists to get to the bottom of these matters.” — Alan Cross [09:44]
- “All the best [band] names are already taken ... but there are up to a million words to choose from in English to combine and come up with a band name.” — Alan Cross [05:41]
- “The festival of f bands... held in a town called F-ing in Austria.” — Alan Cross [33:33]
Timestamps for Notable Segments
- Bandaminology Origin Story: [02:06]
- AI Band Name Generator Demo: [05:56]
- Rage Against the Machine Story: [07:23]
- Blink-182 Numerology & Pronunciation: [15:13]
- King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Name Origins: [28:59]
- Terrible Original Names Montage: [31:04]
- Festival of F Bands Anecdote: [33:33]
- Slightly Stoopid's Hash Resin Record: [39:38]
- Episode Conclusion & Bandaminology Push: [40:00]
Tone and Listener Experience
Alan Cross's delivery is enthusiastic, scholarly-yet-accessible, peppered with dry humor and delight in weird trivia. He fosters a sense of community (“say it with me: bandaminology!”) and encourages listeners to spread the word to help legitimize his invented field. The stories are fast-paced, quirky, and always lean into unlikely detail—a feast for name nerds and music fans alike.
Final Word
Alan Cross reaffirms his campaign for “bandaminology” to gain English-language legitimacy and invites listeners to use, share, and celebrate the term. The promise? With so many bands, the stories (and future installments) will keep coming.