Name our band!

[Fred Keller]

We're starting to get some gigs so our problem has become acute. We can't decide on a name. We'd like something that says "Minnesota" and "oldtimey/bluesy/jugband". Best we have so far is The Skally Line ______ (grifters? streamliners?) The Skally line was an old railroad line but we're neither of us locked in on it. Help us brainstorm!

Here's a taste of what we sound like:

Operator Blues and Skillet Good and Greasy

A song I wrote called The Government Road

a couple more of us are at My youtube site

Thanks for any help you might have to offer.

[Tom Mylet]

How about the Skally Line Scallywags?

[Steve Ostrander]

Just went through this with my own band. We finally found a name that 2 out of 3 agreed on. We told the third that if he didn't like it he had to come up with something better or we go with it. Pretty sure he won't.

At least you can search the intertube and see if the name is already taken. So many names that we came up with were already taken.

[Steve Ostrander]

Skally Line Drifters
Skally Line Riders
Skally Line Ramblers

[Fred Keller]

Tom: That's actually one we've kicked around. It's good but sounds better as just the Scally (or Skally-) wags. Which of course is in use. Steve--finding something not in use is indeed a huge problem. We've already found a few good ones that are already taken by well-established bands. Thanks for the responses!

[jaycat]

"Free Beer" is one that's always popular.

[Bertram Henze]

Minnesota Minuscules
Skally Sota Miners
Silly Skally Siblings

[Isaac Revard]

I think you've already got it. Why not just "Skally Line"? Simple, awesome sounding...easy to remember as well.

[billkilpatrick]

what happened to "whistle pigs?"

according to my computer, "minnesota" is a dakota indian words meaning "smokey-white water" or "sky-tinted water" - might have been done to death already but ... "the smokey-white water boys" ain't bad.

"the sky-tinted water band" sound waaay hippie ...

[Barry Wilson]

Minniskal X

[Ed Goist]

I think "Minnesota" would be a great name for a band. (Referred to as "The Band Minnesota").
My second choice would be "The Lake Wobegon Hooligans".

[fatt-dad]

I'm a fan of the word, "ruckus." Just add that to the end of your band name and you'll go far.

f-d

[Beanzy]

The Minnesota Moochers

[Gelsenbury]

Hi Fred, glad to hear it's going well.

I have no knowledge of suitable names for old-time bands, but building on what you said perhaps: Skally Line Silver, Skally Line Locomotive, Skally Line Grafters?

[mrmando]

Snidely Whiplash and the Curses
Emma Chemical and the Peels
Tom and the Thumbs
The Rankine Cycles

[Markus]

I'd love to be in a band called the Minnesota F-Holes, but I might be unique.

[Ronny Stecher]

Minnesota Flats?
'Sota Chops?

[journeybear]

Keep in mind ye old pearl of wisdom acronym - KISS - Keep it simple (and) stupid. Unfortunately, KISS has already been taken. So just Skally Line is probably better than The Skally Line (whatever) s. Something else to remember is you want it to be easy to say, for the day when some half-drunk MC who doesn't GARA has to introduce you. And recognizability is a factor - you don't want to have to be 'splainin' the name all the time. If people already know what the Skally Line was, it will stick in their heads; that's a good thing.

[jambalaya]

whistle pigs is taken.

What about "The Ghost Ropers"

[Earl Gamage]

try this

http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/bandnames/

[Luna Pick]

How about:

- Skally Goodin'

[Bertram Henze]

Gigs for Pigs
Skally Valley

[rosewoodmusic]

Skally Lickers
Hinkley Fire

[Fred Keller]

Thanks a ton! There are some great ideas here that I hadn't considered. We've got practice today so I'll keep you posted on what sticks.

@Billkilpatrick: sadly, the Whistlepigs broke up last November. We had a good 7-8 years though. It was time.

[Denny Gies]

The Skally Valley Hot Air Supply.