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Dear 'Awful Band Name,' We Forgive You

Singer Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople made some amazing music.  The band name, on the other hand, could have used some work.
Robert Altman
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Singer Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople made some amazing music. The band name, on the other hand, could have used some work.

I first found the music of Gashcat buried among 2,000 other songs in a playlist NPR Music editor Stephen Thompson put together to help us prepare for South By Southwest earlier this year. I assumed I wouldn't like them and only listened because I thought the name was ridiculous. Gashcat. What does that even mean?

Imagine my surprise when I found that the music of Gashcat is actually pretty awesome. You can hear for yourself on our latest episode of All Songs Considered.

The truth is, if the music is good enough, it doesn't matter what you call your band. You can call it Hug Hug or Poop Kinky Monkey Toot, and as long as it's backed up with memorable, meaningful, kick-ass songwriting, we'll forgive the band.

So apart from Gashcat, Mott the Hoople and Umphrey's McGee, what are some other bands with great music but not-so-great names?

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Robin Hilton is a producer and co-host of the popular NPR Music show All Songs Considered.
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