If you have ever explored (or remember) garage / psych rock of the late ‘60s, you know how strange some of the band names were. Back in the day, L7 types would mock any handle that might derivate even slightly from the norm, but even the rock and roll cognoscenti had to wonder about outfits who chose names like the Chocolate Watchband (lead singer David Aguilar sounded a lot like Mick Jagger). Or Strawberry Alarm Clock (“Incense and Peppermint” was their big hit). And then there was the Peanut Butter Conspiracy (lead singer Barbara “Sandi” Robison was featured on the “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” soundtrack) .
As it happens, we have a number of contemporary bands with rather creative names coming to town this week, so please see below for details on how they ended up with the brands they have, whether they want them or not.
Ticket Alert
Most music fans would agree that Samantha Fish is one of the best things to happen to the blues in years. She’s got it all – instrumental chops, powerful vocals and some serious onstage attitude. Tickets are on sale now for her concert at the Heights Theater on Sunday, September 13.
How about that Tom Jones? He’s 85 years old and still at it, touring on a regular basis and sounding great. What’s his secret? Well, let’s just say that Jones’ primary vice over the years has – unlike his contemporaries – not been alcohol or drugs, if you know what I mean. Presales begin tomorrow for his show at the Smart Financial Centre on Wednesday, October 14.
Way back in the ‘90s, Tab Benoit and Jesse Dayton were label mates when both performers were signed to Houston-based Justice Records. A reunion of sorts is in the offing when the two string slingers share the stage at the Heights Theater on Wednesday, November 18. There will be some serious plank spanking going on!
Concerts This Week
Musicians, being creative types, tend to push the boundaries. While this statement is true in a number of respects, nowhere is the concept more fully realized than in the realm of band names (see above) (and below, for that matter). Case in point: Echo and the Bunnymen, who will perform tonight at the White Oak Music Hall. The story? In the book Liverpool Explodes!, vocalist Ian McCulloch said, “We had this mate who kept suggesting all these names like the Daz Men or Glisserol and the Fan Extractors. Echo and the Bunnymen was one of them. I thought it was just as stupid as the rest.”
Dallas alt-country / Americana types the Old 97’s will hit the Heights Theater on Thursday. The name? Taken from the song “The Wreck of the Old ’97,” which was most famously recorded by Johnny Cash. ‘Cause Knowledge is Power: Comedian Fred Armisen subbed for 97s drummer Philip Peeples during a 2017 tour. For more on the Old 97s, check out Gladys Fuentes’ Houston Press interview with lead vocalist Rhett Miller.
The recent royal visit by Prince Chuck and Queen Camilla was a bit of a drag, but we can look forward to the arrival of “The Queens” on these shores. In this case, the queens in question are icons of R and B: Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills. The tour’s slogan, “Four Legends, One Stage” pretty much says it all. The royals will arrive at Toyota Center on Thursday.
So what really happened during the infamous String Cheese Incident? The band members prefer to leave the name shrouded in mystery, but one prevailing theory is that it all goes back to a waiter who was having a bad day and dumped melted dairy product all over the table and the musicians. It is said that the band members hate the name but had to stick with it since the had invested time and effort to establish it. You could ask them about it yourself when the SCI performs on Saturday at the House of Blues. I’m sure they’ve never had that conversation before.
And another one: the Heights Theater will host Shinyribs on Saturday. Bandleader Kevin Russell (formerly of the Gourds) explained during an “Austin City Limits” appearance that the name comes from a nickname bestowed upon him after he had given an unhoused woman a plate of barbecue. As Russell notes, “Grammatically, it’s questionable, but it’s catchy.”
On Saturday, Godsmack brings its “Rise of Rock” tour to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, with Stone Temple Pilots opening. So what’s the deal with these names? For Godsmack, it’s a matter of lead singer Sully Erna making fun of a band member’s cold sore, getting one himself a couple of days later, and having another band member inform him that it was a form of retribution, i.e. a “god smack.” Stone Temple Pilots? A tribute to the STP oil brand. Not terribly inspired, but better than the band’s previous name, Mighty Joe Young.
And finally, Mexican singer-songwriter Carín León is at Toyota Center on Sunday in support of his latest release, Muda (en inglés, Change). Where did he get his name? From his parents, I suppose.
