Rubes
494 posts
Mar 22, 2012
6:45 AM
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How bout......."Bullet Mike"!
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One of Rubes's bands, DadsinSpace-MySpace
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HarpNinja
2286 posts
Mar 22, 2012
8:08 AM
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"The right thing to do is to be yourself. If you stay true to yourself, you've got nothing to worry about. When you try to be someone you aren't is when you'll have problems. "Blues sunglasses" and "blues hats" will be the next thing on your agenda. If you stick with your name, you're much more likely to keep it real."
I disagree with this. I think creating a totally alternate persona may not be keeping it real. I think using a variation of a name for marketing/networking as it relates to both music and other areas has pros and cons that don't necessarily change behaviors so much as shift a focus. Hence my attitude towards a nickname vs a stage name.
"One more thing, it's far too late to worry about your online presence. You should have thought about that several years ago. Sites like the Way Back Machine archive everything."
I totally disagree with that. In my situation it is about the impact of present and future marketing. I am not too worried about the past as 1.) it is the past 2.) my situation was different and 3.) I've avoided what would generally be considered anything inappropriate by my code of ethics.
I don't think trying to create a less direct relationship between the two is being dishonest. I think it even shows a level of respect to each half. While I don't think creating a persona for performance necessarily makes it dishonest (insert several blues harp greats who did the same here), it just isn't something I am interested in. I do, though, see benefits to not using my full given name as a solo performer. If I was playing in a full band, I'd care less.
As a solo artist, a nickname of sorts can provide some incentive to check out the act, give me some flexibility in billing, and invite less direct association.
Regarding my approach and behavior, I wouldn't need to compromise music by changing my behavior. I do a good job of acting the same whether it be in person, at work, at home, online, or on stage.
My co-workers call me Mike, my wife calls me Honey, my parents call me Michael Paul, and my kids call me Dad. The proper noun differences don't change my personality or who I am situationally. Granted, some people do feel the need to be different things to different people, but I don't (for better or for worse).
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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Joe_L
1822 posts
Mar 22, 2012
8:19 AM
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Mike - I think you worry too much about stuff that isn't super important. When I choose to see someone perform, their name/moniker is completely meaningless to me. I go to listen to music and see a show. If the show isn't entertaining, there is no point in me spending my time. I'm old. I may not have a lot of time left.
I've got other thoughts on this topic, but it seems pointless to share them.
Harmonica Mike is a probably good name.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Frank
454 posts
Mar 22, 2012
8:30 AM
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I've talked with some Pros off stage that look and act like Librarians, but when they are back on stage they morph into something different - they become charismatic and cool and admirable...My point being, the stage does seem to change some people from Clarke Kent into Superman. So it seems for these types of people, they do have a duel personality - it's not the same on and off stage.
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Honkin On Bobo
1029 posts
Mar 22, 2012
9:13 AM
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Best stage name of all time: The Rolling Stones
(how's that for a brew haha starter?)
Think about it.
It had stone and rolling in it, very evocative of the term rock and roll and is part of the cool phrase "let's roll", stone also tied-in with getting stoned, the favorite activity of rock and roll fans and artists alike. Rolling Stone is also a part of the cool statement "A rolling stone gathers no moss", and there's of course the tie to the Muddy song from whence they copped it. It absolutely screamed cool rock and roll band as it "rolled" off the tongue (note the band's iconic logo).
Contrast that..... with this all-time screw up...Hoobastank. WTF?? What did that name say? We come on stage and fart a lot? We're too braindead to think of a name? .... Or how about Death Cab for Cutie? What the HELL is that??? How about My Morning Jacket?...I mean...... why not My Puke Stained Bedsheet?...same thing.
Yes, of course the music comes first...but names are important....don't........choose........poorly.
Top ten cool names after The Stones (in no specific order):
1. The Black Crowes
2. Led Zeppelin
3. Steppenwolf
4. Deep Purple
5. The Beatles
6. Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels
7. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
8. The Grateful Dead
9. The Stray Cats
10. Ted Nugent (.....just kidding)
....i'll take any further nominations under advisement.
Last Edited by on Mar 22, 2012 10:36 AM
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Frank
456 posts
Mar 22, 2012
9:30 AM
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We lovingly refer to him here in the burgh as Uncle Ted...
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HarpNinja
2287 posts
Mar 22, 2012
9:36 AM
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@Joe_L
You're a musician with good taste. Most people arent't.
My last show as at a venue that takes pics of each artist and hangs them. I was #135 to play there. The Rev. John Wilkins was #136. I scanned the wall a couple of times as they have a lot of solo/duo acts and I was paying attention to what they looked like and what they were called.
Almost none of them used a basic first & last name. Even the solo artists had some sort of catch. Several were solo artists using a band name. Only a few duos did the name and name thing.
If I scanned the paper and saw Jacob Walters playing or Little Walter, one sounds more formal than the other. My schema around music recognizes Little as a popular blues monkier. Blues bands with nicknames in the title typically focus on a lighter and more fun atmosphere than other bands.
Schema tells me Jacob is the formal name for Jake and using a full formal name is usually indicative of formality in general. It is also a Christian name which also lends me to make assumptions about the artist.
I am buddies with Scott Albert Johnson and think a lot of him as a person and musician. However, when I see a three name musician, I automatically jump to someone influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughn...
The performance title is just like posters, band pics, and everything else. If you are trying to get the interest of others who don't know you, every little bit helps (so this goes beyond my original professional/musical life OP).
My last full band did covers. We had fun looking posters that emphasized the name of the backing band - Groove Stew. If you looked at the calendar and wanted to see a fun show, I think most people would want to see Groove Stew over Mike Fugazzi. Same band, songs, schtick, etc.
Locally, it is very easy to tell the genre of different bands just by their name...and most places locally have a wide range of acts - covers, originals, metal, country...
Last one...
More likely to be a fun blues band:
John Lackey
or
Doghouse John
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
Last Edited by on Mar 22, 2012 9:38 AM
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laurent2015
64 posts
Mar 22, 2012
9:39 AM
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"...because of the media attention I got as an athelete..."
Associate harp and sport in your nickname.
For example, if skiing, I see "Harmonica Live In Ski"
What you think?
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Honkin On Bobo
1030 posts
Mar 22, 2012
9:54 AM
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Ninja:"The performance title is just like posters, band pics, and everything else. If you are trying to get the interest of others who don't know you, every little bit helps "
I TOTALLY agree with this if you're playing out a lot and trying to build a following. People always counter with "well if the music's good people will find you".....possibly, but a lot of life is paying attention to the details...picking a name that either sounds cool or somehow will lead people to think of (even if in a vague way)what it is you play is a good idea.
Hey, it ain't easy..cool is subjective.
Oh and don't go with a joke name...unless the band is a novelty act or has a large novelty component (ie. is itself.....a joke).
Last Edited by on Mar 22, 2012 10:31 AM
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mlefree
63 posts
Mar 22, 2012
9:58 AM
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Mike, a couple of thoughts for you to consider.
I bet that if you played organ at church or violin in a chamber orchestra, the whole situation would be different, both from your and your employer's perspectives. It's worth analyzing what it is about your musical life that troubles you. Is it the instrument or the genre of music that you play or is it simply being associated with being in relatively unseemly places when you play your music that bothers you? If you could home-in on the root of the problem, it would help your decision making.
I'd also advise that you have a candid discussion with your current chain of superiors (before you leave for a new position) about how they view the fact that you have a musical life outside working hours. Unless you've already experienced a negative incident (which you don't mention), you may very well have it all wrong. I've hired and managed many people and I was always of the opinion that a potential employee who was also an accomplished musician made me more interested as an employer. I know all too well the dedication, tenacity, and plumb hard work that it takes to play an instrument well enough to play in public. Those are precisely the attributes I look for in any employee. Personally, all else equal, I'd hire a serious musician over a non-musician any day.
At least that's the way I see it.
I know that I don't need to wish an energetic and talented young man like you good luck. You are doing everything right with your strong work ethic, high personal standards and wide range of interests. Keep all that up and you will minimize the role luck plays in finding lasting happiness and security in your life.
Michelle
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HarpNinja
2288 posts
Mar 22, 2012
9:58 AM
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Greatest band name of all time might be, "Barenaked Ladies".
However, the real key to success is hooking the ladies. "Attractive Single Men Wanting to Listen and Just Be Freinds" might be the best unused name of all time...
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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Kingley
1907 posts
Mar 22, 2012
10:15 AM
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I agree with Joe L.
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toddg
102 posts
Mar 22, 2012
10:46 AM
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@ Michael Rubin
My info is on my profile and email on my website
Send me a email
Todd
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Frank
457 posts
Mar 22, 2012
10:48 AM
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You can get ideals from Bar names - A few around here are, MoonDogs, Thunderbird and Sloppy Joes.
As far as the solo acts here, they all use their God given names and after you see it in the paper week after week it becomes their Persona, Schitck, Stage Name - hey that's joe blow - he plays this kinda music etc...
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harmonicanick
1511 posts
Mar 22, 2012
10:50 AM
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Band name is VERY important
I spend many idle moments thinking up names
Previous name of which I am proud: Wakiki Icemen
Current name: Harmonicanick and the Shakes
Mike, think lateral and left-field
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LSC
192 posts
Mar 22, 2012
11:11 AM
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@billy_shines- If that was an attempt at wit it pretty much missed the mark by a wide margin and on several different levels. Do yourself a favor and take it down.
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LSC
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MrVerylongusername
2300 posts
Mar 22, 2012
11:35 AM
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Odd that noone's mentioned Son of Dave. Benjamin Darvill has created a nice little alter-ego there.
There's another way to approach this - and that's to give the show a name which incorporates a nickname "Harmonica Red's One man Blues Revue", "HarpNinja's harp attack" I like the idea of playing on the travelling medicine show - "Crazy Mike's Groove Tonic".
Best band name I ever saw was "Savage Cabbage".
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Joe_L
1823 posts
Mar 22, 2012
12:17 PM
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Mike - Let's say for the sake of discussion that I'm traveling to Minneapolis on business. I want to see Mike Fugazzi play harp.
If I've gotta remember Mike plays in Nightrail, Groove Stew or Blues Hammer, I might go to the wrong place or I'll just say screw it.
If you're a front guy, why wouldn't you use your name? (If you're named after Adolf Hitler or a well known serial killer, then all bets are off).
Are you the product or not? You've already proven that bands come and go. Your name is one of the few constants.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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gene
1033 posts
Mar 22, 2012
4:03 PM
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I haven't read this whole thread, but here's my thought:
Change your name a little bit. For example, my name is John Eugene (Something). I go by "gene." I'm 1/2 Italian (on my mother's side). For stage, I could be Giano Eugene (Somethingi) and go by "geno." There's lots of ways to give yourself a new name without tossing the old one.
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Frank
463 posts
Mar 22, 2012
4:04 PM
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How about a compromise between Big and Little...
"Medium Mike"
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timeistight
485 posts
Mar 22, 2012
4:29 PM
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I think the problem is that you've already spent a number of years building up a web presence for Mike Fugazzi, singer and harmonica man. Doing a 180° turn and rebranding Mike Fugazzi as Mr. Administrative Professional and branding Son of Mike's dad or something as the musician is going to take a lot of effort and a long, long time.
Why not do it the other way around? Become Michael Q. Fugazzi, BA, in your day job and leave Mike Fugazzi to be the music man?
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Willspear
93 posts
Mar 22, 2012
5:15 PM
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I try to be congruent. I will never be able to run an online and real life persona.
I am the same person publicly and privately
I get judged harshly due to being heavily tattooed I have a split tongue and while I don't wear plugs much these days I have heavily stretched piercings. I was heavily involved in the body modification scene in the 90s.
I have worked for the most part since 2000 in restaurant management and the corporate end is tough these days.
I have been performing music live for nearly 15 years
I am a fairly well sold painter these days
I am direct and outspoken
I have aspergers syndrome
But the number one thing that I get judged for is being fat.
If any of these things cost me something in the end that something was not something I would have wanted.
Adam has a good thing going. Embracing his music with his name and an actual life.
Last Edited by on Mar 22, 2012 5:18 PM
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laurent2015
68 posts
Mar 22, 2012
7:30 PM
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Mike,
You certainly have harps in the twelve keys, isn't it?
So: "Q-doz"..."Q" for quality, of course.
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scojo
284 posts
Mar 25, 2012
10:27 AM
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@Harpninja, thanks for the kind words. Interestingly, one of the main reasons I go by my full name is that Scott Johnson is such a common name. In fact, here in Jackson there is an excellent sax player named Scott Johnson... we have gotten each other's gig emails several times, which has occasionally caused confusion. When we play together, we call ourselves the "Scott Johnson Horn Section".
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gene
1034 posts
Mar 25, 2012
6:54 PM
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"Scott Johnson & Scott Johnson" would be cool.
(I would hope the two of you don't run into bitter arguments regarding whose name is listed first.)
Last Edited by on Mar 25, 2012 6:56 PM
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SuperBee
181 posts
Mar 25, 2012
7:06 PM
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Johnson & Johnson? Er......
On the other hand, I think they make band-aids
Try the veal...
And hey my Yiddish is not that great, but shouldn't that say "shtick"? Schitck sounds kinda odd...
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