What's In A Name?

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 3, 2005 4:37PM

Hey, you! Yeah, you in the band. We know you’re usually pretty tired from having to be your own roadie and all but Chicagoist wanted to remind you that you’ve got until tomorrow to enter Metromix’s Rock ‘n’ Vote contest. Judges will pick their ten favorites from all entries received then Metromix readers will vote for their top four to play a concert at Metro.

What might the future hold for the winners? How about opening for Jeff Tweedy during a sold-out show at the Vic? Riviera was one of four bands chosen last year during the first Rock ‘n’ Vote contest and they’ve spent the last year playing shows in Chicago, Detroit and Des Moines (and if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere…that has a two-to-one person-to-tractor ratio). Their latest album (At The End of the American Century…) streets on April 5th and sounds not unlike Wilco before they got all crazy with the goofy sounds and knob-twisting in the studio. Autumn Defense handles the opening slot for Saturday night’s show (which is also sold out).

Riviera’s current success shows that the name of your band is crucial. So first: consider naming your band after a venue in your hometown, but do exercise caution. Subterranean or Hothouse? Good! Arie Crown Theatre? Not so good. If that’s not an option, why not go the surrealistic route with a name like Slobberbone? Inspired by their dog as he gnawed on some rawhide on the back porch, the Texas quartet plays Abbey Pub tomorrow at 10 PM with two other gloriously-named bands: Two Cow Garage (again, surrealism!) and I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House (and judging by their press photos this is not an empty threat). When Chicagoist starts a band, we’re going to call it I Will Kick You In The Nuts And Run Like Hell.