[MUSIC] THE SAVAGE ANIMAL "Most Insulting Band Names"
07.18.12
BY MIKEY MIGO
Music can easily offend. All art can. Of course you can cross the lines of taboo like a Marilyn Manson with his antics or even Elvis with his dog-gone hip shaking. Times change. Elvis’s dog-gone hip shaking controversy is laughable now, but back in the day it was “evil”. I’m sure some of Marilyn Manson’s antics are considerably “tame” now in comparison to the outbursts he got in the 90s. The point I’m trying so desperately to make is that “offensive” is just as subjective as anything in art.
You can be insulted though! What about the bands whose content isn’t necessarily “offensive”, but their names are? Basically I to thinking about what bands have insulting names. A fill-in-the-blank so to speak in terms of “You’re such a (place band name here)!” or “Dude, those who jerks over there are a buncha’ (place band name here)!”
What band has the most insulting name? Let’s take a look at a few! I’m not offended by much so I’m going to have to grade on a curve. Like I said though, it’s all subjective and based on perception.
The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects is just one of those bands I avoided during their hey-day. I was pretty successful about it because I can’t think of one song they put out. I can visualize them and imagine what they’d sound like just based on their genre listings. Power pop? Emo? Emo Pop? Whatever. If someone walked up to me and said “You’re an all-American reject” I’d probably just laugh at them. How F**king Offensive Is It?
1 out 10
Outkast
I’m sure I’m not alone in this, but when the hell are we going to get the next Outkast album? It’s been too long since the Speakerboxxx/The Love Below release. I know Idlewild exists, but I’m in denial. Outkast is one of best acts in hip hop history. Despite the spelling error, the band’s name isn’t so bad. An outcast is like a reject, but it has more a cold shoulder feel to it. It’s like you’re being shunned. How F**king Offensive Is It?
2 out 10
Butthole Surfers
I didn’t know Butthole Surfers were around in the early 80’s. I honestly just lumped them in with the early 90’s and grunge era stuff. I assume it’s because their biggest charting hit “Pepper” came out in 96. Regardless, these guys were always good. If someone walked up to me and said “Don’t be such a butthole surfer!” I’d not be THAT offended. Their wiki page says the name has been an on-going issue due to people not wanting to promote shows with the word “butthole surfers”. The media must really hate surfers… How F**king Offensive Is It?
3 out 10
The Strokes
The Strokes are a really solid rock band. I’ve been a fan since first hearing “Last Night”. More times than not, I’ve enjoyed their work. I know they’re not for everyone, but they do put out worth-while music. Their name never really bothered me. I know it’s tongue-in-cheek to some folks, but I don’t think their name ever registered as “offensive” to me. Basically, if you’re called a “stoke” you’re being called a “jerk off”. That’s not cool, man. It’s easy to brush that off your shoulder, but it’s slightly vulgar. How F**king Offensive Is It?
4 out 10
Daft Punk
Now we can thank France for something other than their fries. This French duo has been reigning in electronic house music for years. Even if you have no idea who they are, you’ve heard at least two of their songs. I’m not the biggest fan of their music style, but after thinking about it I know more about Daft Punk than I realized. Over the past two decades they’ve just sorta seeped into my head. That has to count for something. I think the wording just makes it seem waaaay more snobby and bitchy than it is. Calling someone a “daft punk” is a slightly meaner way of saying “silly kids!” How F**king Offensive Is It?
4 out 10
Garbage
This 90’s female fronted rock group put out plenty of great hits. In their early days they weren’t so good. Someone commented that they sounded “like garbage” and thus their name was born. Garbage is “trash”, “something to dispose of and throw away”. If someone calls you “garbage” it could be pretty insulting. How F**king Offensive Is It?
4.5 out 10
Tool
Tool is one of the best bands of all time. I mean that. I value their body of work on the same level as Hendrix, Zeppelin, and Nirvana. That’s all subjective though. I’ve encountered people who won’t take them seriously because they’re named “Tool”. I knew one person who wouldn’t even listen to them because of the name. There is no hidden message to the name. Maynard has gone on record saying "Tool is exactly what it sounds like: It's a big dick. It's a wrench.... we are... your tool; use us as a catalyst in your process of finding out whatever it is you need to find out, or whatever it is you're trying to achieve." How F**king Offensive Is It?
5 out 10
Public Enemy
Bin Ladin was a “public enemy”. The term “public enemy” is pretty serious. It’s a term used to describe not just a criminal, but a big deal criminal. They’re a threat to the normal life. In many ways, the hip hop group Public Enemy were a threat. They pioneered a social consciousness. On top of that, the forceful delivery and catchy hooks of the group made them one of the best of all time. I suppose if you believe in your cause, it’d be a badge of honor. It’s still a pretty harsh claim with some hate behind it. How F**king Offensive Is It?
5 out 10
Rancid
A friend brought up that A LOT of punk bands have “insulting” names. You can’t argue that one. One of the stands outs is Rancid. They got together in the early 90’s and ran wild. A lot of bands will cite them as influences. They were one of the punk bands to break into the mainstream, but remained indie and kept true to their roots. The name “Rancid” isn’t too insulting. It’s a synonym for “Rotten”. Not too bad. Regardless, I’d avoid a girl if someone said “that chick is rancid”. So go figure… How F**king Offensive Is It?
6 out 10
Anal Cunt
Pardon me. There are tons of ways to insult someone, but for some reason the word “C*nt” is a big no-no. When someone drops “the c bomb” it’s really like dropping a bomb. Everyone within hearing distance is affected. The life around pauses for a few beats. Most folks will then be disgusted, shocked, or offended. “Anal” is another taboo, but not as “vulgar”. The non-“hardcore” translation would pretty much be a “controlling super jerk”. I guess. It’s all letters and words. “Anal Cunt” is one of the first bands that came to mind when putting this list together. I don’t know ANY of their music, but I’ll never forget their name. In that respect, their name accomplishes a lot. At the end of the day, who cares about “insulting” and “shocking” band names? It’s just more word that has a false weight to it. That said, “them be fightin’ words”… How F**king Offensive Is It?
9 out 10
What band name do you think is the biggest insult?
You’re such a Nickelback!
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