KARISHMA D'MELLO
ETYMOLOGICAL
ROOTS
EXPLORING THE STORIES BEHIND INDIE BAND NAMES
Choosing a name is choosing what kind of impression
you leave on every potential listener. If you do things
right, people will listen to you just because your name
struck a chord with them, even before your music could.
This name, (if all goes well), will find itself tattooed
across die-hard fans, plastered across bedroom walls
and grow to represent the band for all of eternity, or (in
a less climactic turn of events), until you change it.
Sometimes bands find the right name after deliberating
and debating among themselves for months. Other times,
it’s a flash of inspiration. Occasionally, it’s a reminder
that you should perhaps lay off the alcohol for a bit.
Nevertheless, where there’s a name, there’s a reason and
if there’s a reason there’s got to be a story. And yes, we’ll
be playing fast and loose with the word “story”, when
the reason is “we couldn’t think of anything else.”
In my quest for anecdotal charm, I’ve looked through the
etymologies of India’s indie bands, and have since then
discovered the stories behind some of their names.
The Riot Peddlers, Mumbai
Any punk rocker worth their salt knows the importance
of standing up to “the system.” Inspired by the news
of 2010, The Riot Peddlers opted for a name that they
intended to represent the raw, unadulterated fervor
expressed in their music. ‘Cause what’s more punk
rock than a good old protest against...anything?
Unohu, Mumbai
Imagine you’re at a concert and the next band
announced on stage is “You know who”. Does
that sound fun? Unohu thought so too.
Blood Brothers, Ahmedabad
While it’s fairly easy to deduce that this band is clearly
an Iron Maiden fan, they add that along with the
reference to Maiden’s song, it follows a much wider
interpretation. “Music unites people of all races, countries,
and ages. So, anyone who’s got anything to do with
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music - we’re all blood brothers.” The band also adds
that since two of the members are actual brothers, they
felt like the name did them justice in every regard.
Clown with a Frown, Bangalore
Miroslav Holub, a Czech poet once wrote a poem
“Clowns”, an unrhyming narrative that follows a
general questioning of what clowns do when they’re
not making people laugh. Inspired by the somewhat sad
implications in the poem, the band says their music,
similarly references grim subjects through happy music.
The Lightyears Explode, Mumbai
This punk/ alternative band started off as “The Lightyears”,
inspired by Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear. After discovering
that the name was already in use by an English band, they
eventually chose to add the word “explode”, in reference
to the upbeat, raw energy expressed in their music.
The Family Cheese, Ahmedabad
Some decisions are unanimous, some take compromise.
This particular decision reflected the latter. The band
started off nameless in 2011, however, the drummer having
observed prevailing negativity within indie band names,
decided to opt for “The Family Cheese” as something
that was “liberating for the band and the listener.”
Imphal Talkies and the Howlers, Manipur
The Imphal Talkies and The Howlers were named after
a theater (Imphal Talkies), near Kangla Fort in Manipal.
This theater used to screen adult films during an
exceptionally conservative era. Akhu Chingangbam, says
they adopted the name to reference their rebellious music.
Goddess Gagged, Mumbai
For anyone familiar with the prog rock scene, there’s no
hidden meaning behind the choice of this name. Being
longtime fans of Canada’s Protest the Hero, they chose to
name themselves after the band’s song “Goddess Gagged”.
Fun fact, Protest the Hero used to be called Happy go Lucky.