New British band Brother is no more - no, they haven't split up, but have joined a growing list of bands who have been forced to change their name due to "legal reasons".
The group will now go under the monkier of Viva Brother after a legal challenge from an Australian trio.
Lead singer, and apparent Star Wars enthusiast, Lee Newell, explained the change - well sort of:
"A long time ago in a galaxy far far away three men decided one day that it would be a good idea to start a band called Brother. Many, many years later four frighteningly handsome devils in the desolate, post apocalyptic wasteland of Slough decided to do the same thing. But something called 'litigation' got in the way. However with this out of the way we do finally feel free. Brother is dead. Long Live VIVA BROTHER!"
Brother - sorry Viva Brother - aren't the first music act who have been forced rethink their name for the most prosaic of reasons. We polled the Q office, and the lovely people of Twitter and Facebook for more name-related wrangles. Here are some of the best:
* Suede had to go as The London Suede in the US due to a clash with a "lounge singer".
* The Verve had to add the 'The' after going up against the jazz label.
* Blink added the '182' after a cease and desists order.
*The Charlatans are known as The Charlatans UK overseas.
* The Raconteurs are known as The Saboteurs but only in Australia where a band had the name first.
* Westlife were called Westside early on, until they realised someone else had beaten them to the compass point.
* Remember The Dust Brothers? No not the production pair who did the Fight Club soundtrack, but the student duo who had to become The Chemical Brothers after their name tribute to the original pair caused too much confusion.
Can you think of any more? Then post them in the comments below
6:07 PM | 28/06/2011
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Didn't Nirvana have a legal challenge at some point? I think they paid off the original Nirvana or something. It's probably something I could investigate on Wikipedia were I not so lazy...
Posted by Matt Drenson at 2:42 PM | 29/06/2011 | Report Abuse
I never knew that about the Racnteurs, so weird.
Nirvana had a lawsuit but they didn't change the name, I remember that one...
Posted by Jen Chalice at 2:52 PM | 29/06/2011 | Report Abuse
I seem to remember Space (remember them??) having to tour the US as Avenging Angels due to a clash
Posted by Ed Hassett at 12:37 PM | 01/07/2011 | Report Abuse
Because another band was already using the name:
Yazoo were known as Yaz in North America
The Beat were renamed the English Beat in NA
Squeeze's first LP in NA was by "UK Squeeze"
Posted by Robert Stewart at 2:59 AM | 02/07/2011 | Report Abuse
Liberty X were originally just Liberty. My era.
Posted by Rory at 12:02 PM | 02/07/2011 | Report Abuse
Oasis were beaten to the punch by a Swedish band who released, at least, one L.p. "Rasa", the one I bought for pennies because of the name. Hari Krishna type stuff. No references to cigarettes or alcohol...
Posted by Tony at 12:05 PM | 02/07/2011 | Report Abuse
Oasis were beaten to the punch by a Swedish band who released, at least, one L.p. "Rasa", the one I bought for pennies because of the name. Hari Krishna type stuff. No references to cigarettes or alcohol...
Posted by Tony at 12:06 PM | 02/07/2011 | Report Abuse
I think 'Blue' in the UK were going to have to change their name, but they won the court case!
Posted by Fred Bambridge at 7:05 PM | 03/07/2011 | Report Abuse
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