I came across this little tidbit and found it entertaining.

The origin of the band name, "Finneus Gauge."

"Phineas Gage" was a foreman for the Rutland and Burlington railroad who collided with infamy in 1848 when an explosive charge sent a 1-inch diameter pipe under his chin and through the top of his skull. The pipe was sawed off at each end, and Gage lived for another 13 years with several inches of the pipe lodged in his head.

Reports were that he lost the vision in his left eye, became anti-social, and suffered from short-term memory loss. Finneus Gauge the band figured this was a good namesake, since it takes multiple listens for their music to finally sink in.

Progression magazine.

How's that for humorous?

Any other killer origins for a band name?

The origin of the name Rush (if nobody knows, I'm sure Reed does):

They used to be called the Projection in the late 60's and early 70's. When they dropped that name, they had to find a new name fast. One night when they had a gig to play, they spent a lot of time trying to figure out a name, because no one will like a band with no name. Then from downstairs (I think, that's what I read), then drummer John Rutsey's brother yells out, "Why don't you call yourselves Rush?" (Not 100% sure on the wording, but it was something along the lines of that)

The rest, as they say, is history.

Cygnus X-2 wrote: The origin of the name Rush (if nobody knows, I'm sure Reed does): They used to be called the Projection in the late 60's and early 70's. When they dropped that name, they had to find a new name fast. One night when they had a gig to play, they spent a lot of time trying to figure out a name, because no one will like a band with no name. Then from downstairs (I think, that's what I read), then drummer John Rutsey's brother yells out, "Why don't you call yourselves Rush?" (Not 100% sure on the wording, but it was something along the lines of that) The rest, as they say, is history.

basically correct.

Cygnus X-2 wrote: The origin of the name Rush (if nobody knows, I'm sure Reed does): They used to be called the Projection in the late 60's and early 70's. When they dropped that name, they had to find a new name fast. One night when they had a gig to play, they spent a lot of time trying to figure out a name, because no one will like a band with no name. Then from downstairs (I think, that's what I read), then drummer John Rutsey's brother yells out, "Why don't you call yourselves Rush?" (Not 100% sure on the wording, but it was something along the lines of that) The rest, as they say, is history.

Not quite accurate, what the drummer said in a loud, drunken scouse accent was, "you w**kers are going to go over like a bloody led rush," but since his accent was so thick and since he was so drunk, all the band could hear was "rush," to which they went, yeah, Rush, and proceeded to go out and blow the audience away. Its true.

bluetailfly wrote: Cygnus X-2 wrote: The origin of the name Rush (if nobody knows, I'm sure Reed does): They used to be called the Projection in the late 60's and early 70's. When they dropped that name, they had to find a new name fast. One night when they had a gig to play, they spent a lot of time trying to figure out a name, because no one will like a band with no name. Then from downstairs (I think, that's what I read), then drummer John Rutsey's brother yells out, "Why don't you call yourselves Rush?" (Not 100% sure on the wording, but it was something along the lines of that) The rest, as they say, is history. Not quite accurate, what the drummer said in a loud, drunken scouse accent was, "you w**kers are going to go over like a bloody led rush," but since his accent was so thick and since he was so drunk, all the band could hear was "rush," to which they went, yeah, Rush, and proceeded to go out and blow the audience away. Its true.

Sounds like how Zeppelin got their name.

Jimmy Page was talking with Keith Moon about a new project he was doing, and Moon replied that it'll go over like a Lead Balloon. So the group changed the word balloon to zeppelin and changed lead to led so people would get it right. It's a lot better than the New Yardbirds.

Pink Floyd got their name from two of Syd Barrett's favorite blues musicians, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.

Jethro Tull's name came from an agricultural innovator from the 1800s.

Keith Moon suggested the name Lead Zeppelin for the group that performed the song "Beck's Bolero" that later appeared on Jeff Beck's first album (Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Keith Moon, and Nicky Hopkins), along with the cover having an exploding blimp. The band didn't work out, Jimmy Page went back to the Yardbirds, and when they eventually disbanded he remembered Keith Moon's idea and went with it.

Anyone who can't figure out where ELP's name came from is an idiot.

kingofbizzare wrote: Anyone who can't figure out where ELP's name came from is an idiot.

Well then give me the dunce cap!

http://www.ronandjoe.com/friends/hypnoclp/hypno2/Contents/images/2_children_youth_1/dunce_in_dunce_cap.gif -

Steely Dan is the name of a metallic dildo in William Bourrough's Naked Feast.

Steppenwolf is the name of Herman Hesse's masterpiece.

Soft Machine is also from the Naked Feast and Matching Mole is the french translation of la Machine Molle.

Jethro Tull name is an accident: they changed every week their names so they could get gigs but got stuck with that one when they got a recording contract and started being better known.

Anyone who can't figure out where ELP's name came from is an idiot.

Enormously Lacking Potential?

Sean Trane wrote: Steely Dan is the name of a metallic dildo in William Bourrough's Naked Feast. Steppenwolf is the name of Herman Hesse's masterpiece. Soft Machine is also from the Naked Feast and Matching Mole is the french translation of la Machine Molle. Jethro Tull name is an accident: they changed every week their names so they could get gigs but got stuck with that one when they got a recording contract and started being better known. Anyone who can't figure out where ELP's name came from is an idiot. Enormously Lacking Potential?

Thanks for proving you are an idiot... oh wait, we knew that already!!

bluetailfly wrote: Not quite accurate, what the drummer said in a loud, drunken scouse accent was, "you w**kers are going to go over like a bloody led rush," but since his accent was so thick and since he was so drunk, all the band could hear was "rush," to which they went, yeah, Rush, and proceeded to go out and blow the audience away. Its true.

Bluetailfly has tongue firmly in cheek,methinks.

gelert wrote: 10 CC anybody...?

You asked for it... 10cc is he total amount of semen ejaculated by the average male

Uriah Heep is a character in Charles Dickens' novel "David Copperfield"

T.Rox wrote: gelert wrote: 10 CC anybody...? You asked for it... 10cc is he average amount of semen ejaculated by the average male

And we have a winner...congratulations T.Rox...see admin for your prize...

Next-up...a slightly easier one...

The Moody Blues.

Answers on a postcard to the usual address.

Here's a goodun...

Oz blues rock outfit "The Bondi Cigars" are named after what the Bondi locals call the floating turds that visit Bondi Beach from a nearby sewage outlet.

Snow Dog wrote: Yes name came from anderson saying to audience, " would you like to hear some more cosmic music.? They didnt like to call themselves "F**k Off, but an escapee from somewhere shouted "Yes", I guess the name stuck

Umm....Actually...I have always heard that Peter Banks suggested Yes and no one else came up with anything better....This is from multiple sources, the latest being the "Yesspeak" DVD....

yarstruly wrote: Snow Dog wrote: Yes name came from anderson saying to audience, " would you like to hear some more cosmic music.? They didnt like to call themselves "F**k Off, but an escapee from somewhere shouted "Yes", I guess the name stuck   Umm....Actually...I have always heard that Peter Banks suggested Yes and no one else came up with anything better....This is from multiple sources, the latest being the "Yesspeak" DVD....

Peter suggested Yes for two reasons. First because it was positive, optimistic and second because it could be painted in large letters on posters for more visibility.

gleam wrote: yarstruly wrote: Snow Dog wrote: Yes name came from anderson saying to audience, " would you like to hear some more cosmic music.? They didnt like to call themselves "F**k Off, but an escapee from somewhere shouted "Yes", I guess the name stuck   Umm....Actually...I have always heard that Peter Banks suggested Yes and no one else came up with anything better....This is from multiple sources, the latest being the "Yesspeak" DVD.... Peter suggested Yes for two reasons. First because it was positive, optimistic and second because it could be painted in large letters on posters for more visibility.

And with the Roger Dean stylised Yes on a poster (or whatever else it can be printed on)...brilliant!

Snow Dog wrote: Genesis' name came from the Bible!  True!

Indirectly: it was Jonathan King their college mate and producer who found the name(reference is the bible)

"So I met them, agreed to produce some tracks and christened them Genesis to celebrate the start of my serious career as a producer."( Jonathan King liner notes of the Box set) 

Gentle Giant is a reference to the french writer François Rabelais and his book  Gargantua and Pantagruel about a family of "gentle giants". there are several songs who make an allusion to the book.

"Pantagruel's nativity is based on the second and third chapters, "Of the Nativity of the Most Redoubted Pantagruel" and "Of the Mourning Gargantua Made for His Wife Badabec." These two chapters begin with the birth of Pantagruel, who was "so amazingly large and so heavy that he could not come into the world without suffocating his mother." The former chapter explains why "the earth was dry and burning" at the time of Pantagruel's birth--and what effect this would have on the young giant's character! The latter has Gargantua saying "Shall I weep...Yes. Why then?"--quoted almost verbatim in the GG song. He remains torn between grief for the loss of his wife and joy at the birth of his son.

The advent of panurge refers to the ninth chapter, entitled "How Pantagruel Found Panurge, Whom He Loved All His Life." Pantagruel speaks: "Do you see that man coming along the road from the Charenton bridge? On my faith, he is only poor in fortune. His physiognomy tells me for certain that he comes of some rich and noble stock." GG put it more succinctly: "the man who is poor but rich." (They got the name "Charenton" wrong, though.) The song closely parallels the events of the chapter, in which Panurge answers Pantagruel's offer of friendship with pleas for drink in every language but the one he understands. Sounds like some people I know...."

I smoked a fatty, and suddenly the story made perfect sense...

Meanwhile...just moving deck-chairs on The Titanic....

I know the real origin of the name Premiata Forneria Marconi, but it's a long story, and for my english a mission almost impossible.

So, let me know if you're interested in it, otherwise i spare my forces to post elswhere

Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso is not exactly a "bank" (though "banco" can also be translated as "bank") but a type of workers association in  the 19th century Italy, in which poor people could find various kind of help, also in money.