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My previous post was a list of popular rock bands that, in my subjective judgment, have the coolest, cleverest, and most creative names.

As promised, this post also is a list of bands with excellent names, but these groups are not so famous. Some are known only locally or regionally. Or barely at all.

But their names are most excellent. You’ll probably find, as I did, that these band names are even nuttier, more creative, and more fun than those on the previous list.

Struggling bands desperately need attention. A killer name might help, so they go all out. Name alone isn’t a ticket to stardom, but give them points for effort.

Here is my list of lesser-known bands with awesome names.

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Abracadaver — A metal band from Maine.
Adios Pantalones — Three “psychobillies” from Belgium.
Aural Fixation — An all-female a cappella group at Boston University.
Bermuda Love Triangle — Indie rock band from California.
Big in Japan — A Liverpool punk band.
Buzzkill — They were known as “Butthead” until Mike Judge came along.
Captain Squeegee — A rock band from Mesa, Arizona. Most of their songs are about conspiracies, aliens, and the paranormal.

Cocaine Moustache — Featuring lead singer White Willie Sniffsum, guitarist Schnick Von Schlutzzz, and drummer Dr. Cleanplate.
Dead Before Breakfast — A four-piece rock band from northern Italy.
The Dictatortots — Popular “grunge-groovers” from Athens, Georgia.
Diet Tribe — A now-defunct punk band from San Francisco.
Dollar Llama — A Southern Rock/metal band from Lisbon, Portugal.
The Elvi — Punk/metal band from Gurnee, Illinois.
Fatal Mambo — Salsa music from the south of France. Formerly called Tabasco.
The Free-Range Chickens — “Neo-folk” group from Miami.
The Gaza Strippers — Chicago garage punk band, 1999-2002.
Gringo Star — Two brothers from Atlanta. Indie rock.
Guided By Voices — Indie rock band from Dayton, Ohio.
He’s Dead, Jim — Garage band from Aberdeen, Scotland, 1981-2008. The term is a “Star Trek” phrase used by Dr. McCoy to inform Capt. Kirk of someone’s demise.

Hoover’s G String — A Washington, D.C. alternative rock band. The name refers to gleeful rumors that J. Edgar Hoover was gay and/or a secret cross-dresser.
Hostile Combover — Hard rock trio from San Diego, 2005-2008.
Ice Cream Headache — Rock with a “funky vibe” from Massachusetts.
Jesus Crisis — Rap/hip-hop band from Lansing, Michigan.
Jesus Chrysler — Minneapolis rock band founded 1998.
JFKFC — Atlanta-based metal band.
Jiggle the Handle — Boston rock band formed in 1989.
Kathleen Turner Overdrive — “Black Sabbath” style group from Cleveland. 

Mary Tyler Morphine — 90s punk rock band from Chicago.
Norman Bates and the Showerheads — A Ramones type band from Queens.
Pink Freud — Polish contemporary jazz band.
Poultry ‘N Motion — A “shake your tailfeathers” party band from Wichita, Kansas.
Pigmy Love Circus — An icon of the Hollywood rock scene since the 80s.

Sarchasm — Alternative/ska/punk band from San Francisco, founded in 2010.
7 Year Bitch — All-female grunge rock group from Seattle, 1990-1997.
Shirley Temple Pilots — “The Southwest’s most appalling cover band.”
Tastes Like Chicken — Nine-piece Indianapolis dance band, available for parties.
Tequila Mockingbird — Former name of the Wendy Clark Band from Denver.
The Turtlenecks — Billed as Kenny Loggins meets Kingston Trio meets Peter Cetera.
Velvet Elvis — First used by a Kentucky rock band in the 1980s. Now the name of a group of “psychedelic stoner rockers” from Rochester, New York.
Trulio Disgracias — A large and diverse band of funk musicians from Los Angeles, performing since 1987.
Vampire State Building — Electronic rock band from Norway, 1993-1995.
The Velcro Pygmies — Metal band from Louisville, Kentucky, founded 1991.

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It’s a tough call, but my favorites on that list are…

Honorable mention:

He’s Dead, Jim
Hostile Combover
Jiggle the Handle

I hope this small effort to broaden your cultural literacy has been fruitful.