Unfortunate Band Names that hold a band back from mass appeal.

Nashville P*ssy

(I couldn't even write their name without the forum censoring it.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashville_Pussy

 

Probably "They Might Be Giants".

 

That's simple, just go by the last name only...

 

I love that band.

 

Wish them the best of course but I do think they fit this thread.

 

They had as much success as that kind of music could be expected to have!

 

I love the Ass Ponys. See, that doesn't even sound right. Great band and really good songwriting from Chuck Cleaver but most people don't want to know
I'm not sure Wussy is a good name either but it's an improvement.

 

I think the name helped them immensely Anthony.

 

Paul McCartney's ***** - I think they could have done better with a different name.

 

Dead Kennedys

 

The Beatles - they probably would have been even more popular with a better name

 

That's the one I was going to suggest.
You beat me by a minute.

 

they're doing fine but arctic monkeys doesn't strike me as being a very good name.

 

Well...yes.

 

Mentioning only bands that I really like:

The Queers
Screeching Weasel
Shonen Knife
Hole
June & The Exit Wounds
The Flaming Lips
The Bangs (before they became The Bangles)
Candypants
Miranda Sex Garden
The Muffs
Pansy Division
Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
The Surf Sluts

Many of these names are probably well chosen to appeal to a target audience but would probably hinder mass appeal.

 

Cheap Trick is very popular! They had mass appeal.

 

I can't believe no one has mentioned ****ed Up!

 

The Zombies did have mass appeal.

 

Oh yeah, you're right, they never went anywhere and totally haven't sold millions of albums. *rolls eyes*

The first band that came to mind for this thread was Jackie Lomax's band The Undertakers - who apparently were quite unsuccessful due to their "morbid" name.

Likewise, there's a fantastic goth/electronica band who are a bit hard to search for; their name is technically 'Valhall', but the "a"s in their name are typed as ASCII triangles. (I've found that searching for 'VLHLL' will point you in the right direction, though.)

 

I am prejudiced of any band with the word "Monkey" in it for some reason.
Except The Monkees of course........

 

First one that came to mind for me ...

 

To me, the premiere band with this distinction is The Negro Problem.
Stew, who is black, heads this amazing power-pop-hard-rock-baroque-what-is-it band. The name obviously was meant to provoke. But it did keep them from the recognition they deserve. A fantastic and worthy band. Stew, however, did get lots of praise for his Broadway play Passing Strange.

 

For an all-woman band, I would think the name The Slits is probably just a bit too suggestive for mainstream media.

Not that I mind...

 

Brian Jonestown Massacre.

 

Turbonegro.