a guest series, courtesy of a very friendly lawyer
BOOKWORMS
A year or so ago, before hijacking every second Friday from JC, I curated ICA #394, about bands that took their names from songs they liked. But it’s an erudite and well-read crowd that tunes into TVV regularly, so let’s have a look at bands who named themselves after literary works.
Underground Medecin – The Fall.
You’d think that bossy, critical and opinionated crank Mark E. Smith would have had naming rights to the band. But it was the original bassist, Tony Friel, that suggested calling the Mancunian act The Fall, after Albert Camus‘ 1965 existential novel.
Step Into My Office, Baby – Belle and Sebastian.
Stuart Murdoch named his band after a story he wrote, which in turn was named after a French children’s tv show, which got its name from the children’s novel Belle et Sébastien by actress turned author Cécile Aubry.
In an early interview, the Aussie upstarts claimed their name was derived by combining the titles of ‘Sliver’ and ‘Berlin Chair‘ by Nirvana and You Am I, respectively. In truth, the band was named after The Silver Chair, fourth novel in CS Lewis‘s Chronicles of Narnia series.
Dissolute troublemakers Pete Doherty and Carl Barát first called their band The Strand, perhaps after Roxy Music‘s early single. But they ditched that moniker in favor of the Marquis de Sade‘s (of course) unfinished novel, The Lust of the Libertines.
Non-Alignment Pact – Pere Ubu.
Cheating just a bit here because Pere Ubu is the lead character in Alfred Jarry‘s 1896 absurdist play, Ubu Roi. But it’s such a great song it had to be included. Check out Julian Cope‘s version, which is also great.
I’m Waiting for the Man – Velvet Underground.
The Velvets named themselves after a cheesy tract by Michael Leigh, basically about swinging. It proclaims right on the cover: “Here is an incredible book. It will shock and amaze you. But as a documentary on the sexual corruption of our age, it is a must for every thinking adult.” I read it out of curiosity one time–bunch of stiff, outdated naughty nonsense from 1963.
I Don’t Know Why I Love You – The House of Love.
I kinda hated this band because the drummer’s girlfriend declined to sleep with me when I met her backpacking around Europe one summer. Pretty disappointing, especially as the band named itself after Anaïs Nin‘s 1954 novel, A Spy in the House of Love, wherein protagonist Sabina enjoys all manner of sexual escapades.
Tinseltown in the Rain – The Blue Nile.
Apart from that they’re named after a 1962 book by Alan Moorehead about the exploration of the Nile river, I can’t tell you much about this band. They’re from Glasgow, so maybe our good host can elucidate.
Roll Away the Stone – Mott the Hoople.
I always thought this was a stupid band name until I discovered that they named themselves after a 1966 novel. Then I read Mott the Hoople and confirmed it’s both a stupid book and a stupid band name.
Litany (Life Goes On) – Guadalcanal Diary.
The band took their name from a 1943 memoir by war correspondent Richard Tregaskis. Guadalcanal Diary was part of the 1980’s music scene in Athens, Georgia that revolved around REM, the B-52s, Pylon, Let’s Active and others, although to less acclaim.
Children of the Empire – Weyes Blood.
Natalie Mering started calling herself Wise Blood, after Flannery O’Connor‘s 1952 novel, as a teenager. The name morphed into Wise Bluhd and finally Weyes Blood. This beautiful song is from her most recent album, 2022’s And In the Darkness, Hearts Aglow, which young Jane put on my radar. Natalie wins bonus points for once being the bassist in experimental Portland band Jackie O-Motherfucker.
Jonny
I enjoyed that. The disdain, peppered here and there, was amusing.
Unlike some pop stars, I don’t profess to have read Cécile Aubry, but I was quite the fan of the tv programme. I didn’t see the original run – for once was I was too young – but I caught the later 70s repeats on school holidays.
As JC will attest, I’m not one to become a little obsessed with characters aimed directly at children who have a trusty dog.
Silverchair had to be CS Lewis inspired. I very much enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia. I take time, every now and then, for a re-read.
The Blue Nile – it seemed impossible to move in the early/mid 80s without some ‘cool’ night-time DJ extolling the virtues of the band and Linn. I liked some of the music. I couldn’t be arsed with the hype-machine – that ultimately didn’t lead anywhere.
Jackie O-Motherfucker reminds me of the Glasgow band F.O. Machete. As in Fuck Off. I do like me a bit of sweary.
Flimflamfan
Whilst ‘Non alignment pact’ is a well known tour de force by Pere Ubu, I strongly recommend ‘Oh Catherine’: who knew the Ubu gang could do a classic pop song, a love song?
After that, try ‘(Pa) Ubu Dance Party’ for a bit of fun.
‘Roll away the stone’ was my first ever single, purchased with a record or gift token in Xmas 1973.
And ‘Mott’ became my first ever album – which still holds up as a great album. For an all out rockin’ track, try ‘Drivin’ Sister’ at full volume, which is first track on side 2!
Two bands from the 1980s indie scene took their names from works by E. Nesbit – The Railway Children, and the Would-Be-Goods.
And I believe the Irish band The Dubliners were named after the James Joyce’ collection of short stories.
nerds
I loved the House of Love (between the first Creation singles and the aftermath of the butterfly album) but sometimes you’ve got to have a reason to dislike a band and the one you give here is as good as any.
No notes, chief. Didn’t know Nat was briefly in Jackie O motherfucker – love it.
I gotta agree with Pondextroso here…but a really nice mix of literary acumen, aggression, disdain and a bit of sweary! I also like me chocolate.
I love Silver chair! And also the dissociatives. Check em out!
What about His Boy Elroy? I heard they were fire.
Did you mention Strawberry Alarm clock in an older post?
I always thought the B-52s were named after the book, “B-52 Stratofortress In Action Aircraft Number # 23″! Quite the page turner! Very popular in Junior High School. No? Love the His Boy Elroy shout out!
Always a hoot. Always smart. And now a smidge of scandal!
Thanks , JB