7 Original Band Names We’re Glad Didn’t Stick

On August 29, 1959, an up-and-coming band called The Quarry Men played the opening night of a new teen hangout called the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool, England. Of course,…

Updated Aug 31, 2017 10:57 AM EDT

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 15: Chad Smith (L) and Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at Madison Square Garden on February 15, 2017 in New York City.

Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

On August 29, 1959, an up-and-coming band called The Quarry Men played the opening night of a new teen hangout called the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool, England. Of course, that band would go on to become The Beatles. (Perhaps you’ve heard of them?)

This fun fact got us thinking about all of the great, legendary band names we all know and love today…and some of their original band names that were, frankly, just not that great. In honor of this anniversary, here are seven original band names we’re glad didn’t stick.

Mookie Blaylock (Pearl Jam)

One of the best athlete names of all time? Of course! A great band name? Not exactly. Eddie Vedder once said the band that would become Pearl Jam were too busy writing music to come up with a band name. I mean…we’re thankful for the great music, but we’re equally as thankful for the name change, even if there are some sticky rumors behind that name's origin, too.

Rocket Baby Dolls (Muse)

One of the biggest bands in the world was once named after a Japanese porno movie. Smart change, lads!

Sweet Children (Green Day)

It’s not like Sweet Children is a bad name; the problem lies within when the band members age. Think about pop groups like New Kids on the Block or Backstreet Boys. When you’re old enough to qualify for an AARP membership, a name that signifies youth is just silly.

Rat Salad (Van Halen)

Awesome Black Sabbath song, but it’s not the best band name. Plus, without the Van Halen band name, we wouldn’t have their classic band logo, which is easily one of the coolest logos to rock on a shirt ever.

The Polka Tulk Blues Band (Black Sabbath)

Speaking of Black Sabbath, their original name apparently came from the brand name of a talcum powder Ozzy Osbourne’s mother used. Yeah…definitely not as dark as Black Sabbath.

Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Good lord! There are no words. Why? The Chili Peppers seemingly used all of them in that terrible attempt at a band name.

Naked Toddler (Creed)

Saving the absolute worst for last. Regardless of your feelings about Creed, imagine a song as poignant as “With Arms Wide Open” by a band named NAKED TODDLER! Actually, just don’t.