Let’s get one thing straight: your band name isn’t just a tag. It’s your war cry, your brand, your first shot fired in the fight for attention.

1. MAKE YOUR BAND NAME SCREAM YOUR GENRE

Don’t call your metal band “Sunshine Davey and the Daisies” and don’t call your slick funk band “The Death Rattle Bastards”. Your band name should punch people in the face and make them understand your sound before they’ve even heard a note. And, yeah, you can use the word “Cover” or “Covers” in your name, as that’s what your band does. Just don’t make it some cheesy shit. Let’s learn from some original bands.

Metal: Black Sabbath (dark, heavy, legendary)

Indie/Alt: Wolf Alice (fierce, memorable, modern)

2. GET PERSONAL, BUT DON’T BE BORING

Nobody gives a fuck about “The John Smith Band” unless John Smith is about to set the stage on fire by lighting his own farts. Still, using your names or initials can work if you do it right.

Bon Jovi (iconic, simple and all about the frontman’s swagger)

Haim (family and weird/cool-sounding)

Van Halen (family name, world domination)

3. SYMBOLS, METAPHORS & IMAGERY

Go big or go home. Your band name should paint a picture or spark a reaction. Don’t settle for bland.

Radiohead (tech, alienation)

Pearl Jam (rare, valuable, a bit mysterious)

Royal Blood (sounds like a threat and a promise)

Cage the Elephant (what the actual??)

Think about what your music stands for. What image do you want burned into people’s brains?

4. SMASH WORDS TOGETHER & BREAK THE RULES

The best band names are the ones nobody saw coming. Mix, match and mash up those words until something legendary sticks.

Queens of the Stone Age (epic, slightly ridiculous)

Red Hot Chili Peppers (kinda random words, now world-famous)

Death Cab for Cutie (weird as hell, but impossible to forget)

5. STEAL FROM BOOKS, ART & FILM, BUT DO IT BETTER

Rip your name out of a novel, a painting or a cult film, but make sure it fits your vibe. Got a wild story? Then use it. “My Chemical Romance” came from a book title spotted by the bassist. That’s how you make it personal and interesting, not just lazy.

Joy Division (dark, historical and instantly memorable)

Florence + The Machine (sounds like a graphic novel)

Bastille (history, but now a festival staple)

If you’re going to borrow, then borrow with swagger.

6. REPRESENT YOUR HOMETOWN (OR NOT)

Location-based names work if you’ve got pride and a story.

Alabama Shakes (no prizes for guessing where they’re from)

Miami Sound Machine (same deal)

Linkin Park (inspired by Lincoln Park in Santa Monica, California)

…those dudes actually changed the spelling so they could buy the domain, since lincolnpark.com was already taken and it was way too expensive to buy from the people who owned it.

But don’t just slap your city on your name unless it means something. “London Band” isn’t going to do shit for your cut through.

7. USE THE DAMN INTERNET & BAND NAME GENERATORS

Yes, you can use online band name generators. But don’t be a robot, tweak the results until it fits you. Plug in your genre, your vibe or your weirdest inside joke and see what comes out. Then make it better.

Maybe give this band name generator a shot, it’s pretty decent, with loads of options.

8. MAKE SURE NO ONE ELSE OWNS IT (SERIOUSLY)

This is where a lot of bands fuck it all up. Be like Linkin Park and Google your name. Check Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Look up the domain. If it’s taken, move on. Don’t be the tenth “Midnight Drive” this week or you’re heading for a whole world of dull, monotonous shit.

9. BONUS: DON’T OVERTHINK IT

Some of the best band names started as jokes or last-minute decisions. What matters is that it feels right, stands out and isn’t already taken by a polka tribute act based out of Scarborough.

BAND NAME IDEAS BY GENRE (BECAUSE YOU ASKED)

Fuck it, here are a few band names to get you moving in the right direction:

Alt-Rock: Dead City Saints, Static Revolt, Riot Banner, Covering Fire

Funk: Groove Grenade, Voodoo Voltage, The Bassline Syndicate

Indie: Neon Wasteland, Velvet Outlaws, Paper Wolves

Metal: Hell’s Engine, The Skull Covers, Blackened Halo

Pop: Electric Honey, Sugar & Covers, Neon Echoes

Punk: Broken Banner, The Riot Routine, Snarl & Glory

I have no idea if these are already taken, I’m just throwing them out there for you to riff off as a starting point.