Monday, December 3, 2012

What's In A Name?

"Who the hell is Fartbarf"

A text I received from my buddy, Robbie, in New Orleans.

My response: "They're fucking sick. 3 dudes in psych ward jumpsuits and gorilla masks...heavy bass, minimal vocals, and a cult-like following....aka the badass new band you'll hear more about soon."

"Shitty name."

"Not even the shittiest band name I've heard this week."

That last part is true. I've definitely heard worse band names than Fartbarf. (I used to manage the band, Stinky Pinky, for god's sake.) Yesterday at a tattoo shop in Maryland, I met a cute punk rocker who gave me some of his CDs. His band name: The Rapists. I cringed when he told me that.

"Actually, we are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Rapists."

OOOOh, that makes it soooo much less offensive!! (The only thing more offensive were his lyrics. I'll spare you the details. But picture GG Allen on meth. Wow.)

You know, I might not LOVE the name Fartbarf, but I respect it. Basically, because they don't give a fuck what I think about their band name. In fact, Fartbarf is unwilling to change, for anyone. They've had some big labels show interest in signing them, only on the condition they consider changing it. Nope. They just shake their head and stand firm. They found a formula that works.

And believe me, it works. They pack the house. I'm super stoked for their next show at SR (Dec 14). If you've never seen them live, you owe it to yourself to experience this phenomenon. It's fucking radical.

Love the name Fartbarf, or hate it...but you'll remember it. And talk about it the next day.

If you ask me, that's what every band name needs to accomplish. Be original. Be memorable. Make people talk.

And, hey, at least it's better then The Rapists.


KT

No comments: