h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

An obvious one that hasn't been said yet:

Franz Ferdinand, from the archduke who's assassination started WW1.

The 'Spandeau' in Spandeau Ballet came from a prison from where the band could have ended up in.

Rap band D12 were originally called 'The Dirty Dozen'.

Depeche Mode were named after a magazine.

Green Day is named after the expression, "A green day", used to describe a day of smoking pot.

Level 42, as most of us probably know, is named after Douglas Adam's opinion on Life, the Universe, and Everything.

That's all I can think of right now...

The Bee Gees...I'm trying to remember what it is. 'Brothers Gibb' it ain't.

I was always under the impression that when the guys from Level 42 were looking for a name, they were in a car park at that particular moment and ended up using the first thing they saw.... Which was the sign saying "Level 42".



Bassman

well i'll do the ones i know.

led zeppelin was obviously named for a zeppelin (of blimp) made of lead, which would not work very well

the rolling stones were named after the bob dylan song "like a rolling stone" which might be a cover, but bob's version is the one im familiar with.

the beatles were named after the insect, which a clever little twist because a lot of the bands around that time period were doing clever little things like that. they were actually called the quarrymen for quite some time before they became the beatles.

bright eyes may have been named from the expression "bright eyed and bushy tailed" but thats just speculation.

jimmy eat world was named after a caption from a picture that the band found. apperently, the lead singer (jimmy) had a small nerf globe in his mouth and the caption underneath simply said "jimmy eat world."

the sex pistols may be referring to a penis, but im just guessing.

catch 22 (an amazing ska band if you havent heard them) was named after the book/movie/thought. look it up if you dont know what it means.

Dashboard Confessional was named after a lyric in one of chris carabba's songs, the sharp hint of new tears.

flogging molly- i can only assume there was a girl they didnt like named molly. they must have flogged her repeatedly. (speculation)

incubus- an incubus is the male equivilant of a succubus, which is a seductive demon.

nirvana was named after the buddist belief of an eternal happy existance after your purpose in life was met. look it up, its neat.

the postal service was named because in the process of making "give up" they sent eachother many many demos and tapes and letters, because the two members were often off doing other things. thus, they gave the postal sevice a run for their money.

talking heads are basically people on television that just sit there and dont do anything, and are really just, talking heads.

thats all that stuck out to me going down my ipod. hope i helped.

Bolt Thrower were named after a war machine (basically a giant crossbow) which they saw mentioned in White Dwarf.

Iron Maiden are named after a medieval instrument of torture.

Re.T'Pau.

She was a high ranking official from the Planet Vulcan,Spocks' homeworld.

I thought she was Spock's mother, but am happy to be corrected....



Bassman

T'Pau One of Vulcan's most revered leaders, the only person ever to turn down a seat on the Federation Council. In the mid-22nd century (Earth calendar), T'Pau was a leader in the Syrrannite movement which helped to reform Vulcan society, by bringing forth the true teachings of Surak.

There you go.... I stand corrected!



Bassman

I thought the beatles were so called because they were beat-less...

Lol!

Do you know that whenever someone says 'lol' God kills a kitten?

Dear fords,

lol lol lol lol lol

Yours sincerely,

http://www.orangezippo.com/archives/god-kills-kitten.jpg



Hmmm. 'Dead Kittens'. Good name for a group that.

We're going to promote this discussion on the Front Page tomorrow, to see if anyone has any other suggestions