Stunningly appropriate, yet non-intuitive, names
Sometimes a name is perfect. Maybe we can't describe or even understand why, but it just works. It clicks. It's in the groove.
Incidentally these are often great marketing and branding names.
I'm going to give only one example here, feel free to comment or email on others:
SURF MUSIC:
Surf music is characterized by a strong drum beat, driving guitar, and overall minimalistic structure. I'm sure others can give a better description - for example Wikipedia's description.
Examples include The Ventures, The Beach Boys (at least around 62-63), Jan and Dean, and who could forget "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris? The Butthole Surfers are a modern example.
Surf Music is the perfect name? Why? I don't know, but I had independent confirmation today:
My kids, 2 and 5 years old, heard "The Ventures, Giants of Guitar" for the first time this morning. I think they've never heard surf music before. They IMMEDIATELY put a stuffed pink poodle on a toy surfboard and surfed him around the room for a good hour! Clearly the name is PERFECT.
Now if I could come up with a business name (or maybe a jingle or logo) that invoked visions of "I'm really cool and a phenomenal tech-business dude you must hire and pay handsomely" maybe I'd get somewhere ?
Then again, I'm busy enough, even overloaded for the next two weeks, and working entirely on pretty cool stuff with people I like who are paying me well.
Disclaimer: I used to surf, but was always a much better skateboarder. I'm always looking for interesting work with good people, even when I think I have too much.
Incidentally these are often great marketing and branding names.
I'm going to give only one example here, feel free to comment or email on others:
SURF MUSIC:
Surf music is characterized by a strong drum beat, driving guitar, and overall minimalistic structure. I'm sure others can give a better description - for example Wikipedia's description.
Examples include The Ventures, The Beach Boys (at least around 62-63), Jan and Dean, and who could forget "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris? The Butthole Surfers are a modern example.
Surf Music is the perfect name? Why? I don't know, but I had independent confirmation today:
My kids, 2 and 5 years old, heard "The Ventures, Giants of Guitar" for the first time this morning. I think they've never heard surf music before. They IMMEDIATELY put a stuffed pink poodle on a toy surfboard and surfed him around the room for a good hour! Clearly the name is PERFECT.
Now if I could come up with a business name (or maybe a jingle or logo) that invoked visions of "I'm really cool and a phenomenal tech-business dude you must hire and pay handsomely" maybe I'd get somewhere ?
Then again, I'm busy enough, even overloaded for the next two weeks, and working entirely on pretty cool stuff with people I like who are paying me well.
Disclaimer: I used to surf, but was always a much better skateboarder. I'm always looking for interesting work with good people, even when I think I have too much.
posted by Ted Demopoulos at 12:25 AM
Comments on "Stunningly appropriate, yet non-intuitive, names"
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British Norbert said ... (Saturday, August 27, 2005 1:06:00 AM) :
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Jim Foster said ... (Monday, August 29, 2005 8:11:00 AM) :
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Ted Demopoulos said ... (Monday, August 29, 2005 12:42:00 PM) :
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Anonymous said ... (Sunday, February 05, 2006 4:31:00 AM) :
post a commentThe Butthole surfers put on a quite amazing and wonderful live show, Have you ever seen them live?? I'm guessing you are too old to have experienced their hardcore punk/pyschedic/surf blend, but perhaps in a few years when your kids are old enough you can bring them out to a show ? (bring earplugs for the little ones)
Ted and I saw The Butthole Surfers twice at the Channel in the late 80's. I even had the honor of buying beers for the late GG Allin at the second show (who despite his reputation was quite friendly and fun to talk to, although a few of my friends thought I was sure to pick up some disease simply by being in close proximity to him). However, I dispute Ted's assertion that they play surf music. Despite the moniker, I would classify them as garage punk psychedelia.
And my old band The Stuart Factory played several shows with The British Norberts at The Rat and TT's during roughly the same time period, and rehearsed next to them in our space in the Fenway. So if you are in fact a former member of The British Norberts - Hello! I have very fond memories of those shows, I used to chat with your drummer Cyril quite frequently and he was a pleasant chap. I know guitarist John Dragonetti went on to achieve considerable success, but I always wondered what happened to the other guys in the band.
As Jim has mentioned, I have seen them twice. As to whether they are surf music, if I play them and my kids surf their pink stuffed poodle around on their toy surfboard again wouldn't that be proof enough?? I may not have anything "appropriate" from the BH Surfers to play however!
But what of The Fab Poo's and The Zones?