THE NAME GAME
What’s in a name? Sometimes a lot, sometimes, well, not a lot. Some band names are so prosaic, there’s nothing to tell about their invention. Others, on the other hand, are a band’s way of proving how clever they are. Or to communicate what comics they love, or what highbrow books they’ve had their heads buried in. Here, then, is our guide to the origins of the names of some of your favourite 80s pop groups… And it turns out sci-fiis a weirdly common inspiration…
STEVE O’BRIEN
01 THE TEARDROP EXPLODES
Originally named A Shallow Madness, Julian Cope’s post-punk misfits found their permanent moniker when co-founder Paul Simpson moved into a bedsit where he found, among a pile of old comic books, a copy of Daredevil. Flicking through the issue, Simpson’s eyes were caught by the caption, “Suddenly over Central Park… The teardrop explodes”. Simpson suggested it to the rest of the band, with Cope describing the name as having a “psychedelic brilliance”.
02 HEAVEN 17