HOW TO CHOOSE A BAND NAME.
ONE THAT ISN’T SHIT.
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.
GET A NAME THAT GETS YOU HEARD
If you’re in a cover band, your band name is your secret weapon in a world where every pub, club and festival is crawling with bands trying to do the same thing as you. Forget those limp, recycled names that sound like they were spat out by a wedding DJ. You’re not here to blend in. You want a band name that gets you shoved to the top of the poster, a name that makes people think, “Shit, we really HAVE to see those guys.”
On the cover band circuit, your name plays a big part in switching you from being “that pretty good group that played Mr Brightside last night” and being the band everyone’s DMing for Saturday night bookings. You want to be the name on the lips of every venue manager, every punter, every stag party looking for a band that’ll blow the roof off and leave the crowd gasping for more.
If you want to be just another pub band with a forgettable name, leave now. But if you want a band name that kicks the door in and leaves the crowd chanting it on the way home, read on.
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.
THE FINAL WORD(S): MAKE IT LEGENDARY
Choosing a band name is the first real act of rebellion your band makes. Don’t play it safe and don’t let your band name be an afterthought. Make it a statement. Make it unforgettable.
Ready to build your legacy? Start with the name. Then make the music that’ll make people remember it.
Your band name isn’t just a label. It’s your first weapon in your all-out assault on the live music scene. Make it bold, make it memorable, and make it look killer on a banner, a t-shirt or a tattoo. Test it on Google, check the socials and don’t settle for second-best.
Want more tactical advice, templates, and real-world gig stories?
Grab YOUR BAND IS A WAR MACHINE. It’s the ultimate cover band handbook for those who want to stand out and explode onto the scene.
