Bandnames of famous progressive rock bands

The way bandnames are chosen differs from band to band. Some bands want to have bandname that communicates about the intention or idea behind the music (for instance; Oresund Space Collective), other bandnames are chose 'because they sound cool, strong or perhaps even mystical'. Some professional bands choose names that fit into 'the unwritten laws of bandnames of a genre' (for commercial purposes), we get to see much of that in progressive metal and power metal. There are also bands that choose bandnames that don't say a lot about the music, or a bandname that is just strange for the sake of it (for instance; Godspeed You! Black Emperor).

Of some progressive rockbands the meaning of the band name isn't mentioned to often, so my intention was to make a blog about the meaning of the bandnames of some well-known bands of our beloved genre. Feel free to add information about bandnames of other famous progressive rock bands!

King Crimson
It is said the band was named after it's famous composition 'In the Court of the Crimson King', rather then using the bandname for the main composition of the debut album. Early King Crimson lyricist Peter Sinfield is said to have coined at this bandname, which is said to be a synonym for 'Beelzebub, prince of demons'. According to Rober Fripp 'Beelzebub' translates to 'The Man with an Aim', or 'Man with a Cause'. When looking at other sources this 'Beelzebub' is also being called 'The Lord of the Flies', 'Lord of the (heavenly) Dwelling' or 'High Lord' and is referred to as the original god of the Philistines. In the bible the name 'Beelzebub' is however mentioned in the new testament as being that of a synonym of Satan. In later Christian text Beelzebub is called a part of the 'unholy trinity', consisting of Satan, Beelzebub and Leviathan.

Van der Graaf Generator
The bandname of this Brittish eclectic/psychedelic progressive rock ban was coined at by Smith, who would leave the band after their first single (that was only available for a week) and before their first studio album. A Van de Graaff Generator is actually a scientific instrument that can be used for several causes. In is noteworthy that the instrument is spelled differently then the band itself. This instrument (invented by Robert Van de Graaff in 1929) can be used to accumulate an electrical charge on a metal globe. In science the instrument is used to sterilize food and process materials as well as an accelerator of protons for nuclear experiments. In a practical sense it is used to create to create 'lightning' or make peoples hair stand up (hairs repels each other when electrically charged). Both practical uses could be seen as helpful to understand the music of the band (attempt at being funny). On the 'The least we can do is wave at each other'-cover the band is depicted inside of the metal sphere of a Van de Graaff generator.

Soft Machine
It is highly likely that the bandname of this English Canterbury band is derived from the novel 'The Soft Machine', by William S. Burroughs (1961). It is a fictional book that describes how 'control mechanisms invade the body', as explicitly mentioned in the appendix. Besides that, the term Soft Machine was perhaps mentioned earlier in scientific circles. As the duality (body and spirit) of humanity started to be debatable again, there was a first generation of biologists and other scientists that saw the body as a complete, intricate and highly sophisticated machine that could be recreated if one would have the proper tools and knowledge. All attributes of human life and consciousness were attributed to the brain. Till this day there is no definitive conclusion in the debate on duality.

Pink Floyd
Though a lot of, especially young people, think of the bandname of this English psychedelic/symphonic progressive rock band as a description of a visual flood in pink, it is actually based on a silly concept. Founding member Syd Barrett had named the band 'The Pink Floyd Sound', after two blues musicians of Piedmont Blues Records named Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Earlier, the band had chosen 'The Tea Set', but that name was already used by another band. Before releasing their first album the band-name would be shortened to Pink Floyd.


Edited by friso - August 15 2011 at 10:41

Wasn't the Crimson King something to do with an old French King or something? I seem to remember reading a long piece about this on PA a while ago?

I'd be interested in reading more of this blog.

It is also well known that the name Gentle Giant refers to the giant Pantagruel, a figure in François Rabelais's novel The Life of Gargantua and of Pantagruel.

Danish band Papir took their name from paper. Originally stems from Egypt where the plant Cyperus Papyrus was made into paper roughly 7000 years ago. Paper comes in many forms, we use it to wipe our backsides with, but in some cases it´s so sharp that it´ll slice you right open, if you´re not being careful. 

Krautrock

Popol Vuh
This German progressive/electronic prog group was named after 'the book of council' or 'book of the people' of the Mayan tribes of the post classic Quiché kingdom in Guatemala's. The main features of this book are it's creation myth, it's flood myth and some of it's epic tales. Nowadays the Popol Vuh is seen as the holy book of the Mayans, a reputation it gained simply because of the fact it's the biggest among the scarce amount of surviving Mayan texts.

Amon Düül II
This German krautrock band was part of an artistic and politcal community called Amon Düül. 'Amon' is derived from the name of the Egyptian god of the sun, whilst 'Düül' is said to have been derived from a Turkish mythological character. This community would later split up in two rockbands, Amon Düül I and Amon Düül II. The second formation would became famous with their original psychedelic/avant-garde/space rock.

CAN
This bandname of another famous krautrock group actually has more meaning than the metal cans we use to conserve food. Can is an abbreviation of Cannibalism, Anarchism & Nihilism, as suggested by drummer Jaki Liebezeit. Before the band was named 'Can' it has been called 'Inner Space' and 'The Can' (on the the debut album).

For the record, Godspeed You! Black Emperor were named after a Japanese documentary film about biker culture.

Collecting band name origin stories is an interest of mine.

shadow gallery took their name from the graffic novel //v for vendetta ''

Agalloch (also Agallocha, Agallochum) is a soft, resinous wood of highly aromatic smell, and is used as incense and perfume in many Asian countries. The band members themselves actually mispronounce the word "Agalloch".

If I may make requests. Porcupine Tree!