The Most Epic Band Names of SXSW 2015

Article by: Laura Mason|@masonlazarus

Sat March 07, 2015 | 00:00 AM


Whether a band put weeks into formulating an epithet that's the perfect intersection of catchy, cool and SEO-friendly or its members drew names from a hat in a stoned daze, a band's pretty much stuck with its moniker forever – especially if that band gets big, which is what most groups are gunning for at SXSW. And being the artistes they are, musicians obviously get pretty ingenious with the ones they choose, for better or for worse. Case in point? The 10 band names below, all of which you'll find on lineups this SXSW 2015.

Black Tiger Sex Machine Sxsw

This may be the group that most closely resembles the image it conjures in your head...maybe minus the sex part. Black Tiger Sex Machine is a Montreal-based trio (Foxed Up, Marx Menace and Wolfcall) whose unique, part DJ set, part live show combines barrages of tracks, loops, drums, samples and synths that meld into awesomely bounce-able beats, all while wearing their trademark Tiger Helmets, which make its members look like nightclub-dwelling alpha predators ready to pounce.

Cold Mailman Sxsw

Being from Oslo, Norway, this rising indie pop band must've grown up seeing a lot of cold mailmen during its members' lifetimes. However, Cold Mailman's music won't give you the chills whatsoever; lush percussion, languid melodies that evoke lazy days, twinkling xylophones and vocals provided by Ivar Bowitz – who has a voice reminiscent of Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch – make for easy, cozy listening.

Free Weed Sxsw

Free Weed is the side-side project of White Fang and Memories thrasher Erik Gage. If you're familiar with either of the two aforementioned bands, you'll dig Free Weed's similar delightful nuggets of DGAF attitude, of which Gage is pretty much the kingpin. Free Weed's simple manifesto, summed up in the lyrics of the song "Believe In Weed," finds his stoner wisdom shining bright.

Dj Windows 98 Sxsw

Windows 98 evokes such a bygone era that of computing that was pre-iPhone, pre-Napster, pre-cloud, pre-streaming and practically pre-Google (which was founded that same year). It's a nod to simpler, less technology-obsessed times – so it makes sense this DJ name belongs to the mind of Win Butler (yes, the frontman of Arcade Fire), who once wrote an ode to sending letters via Post Office. Still, even as an alter ego, DJ Windows 98 represents a plot twist for Butler, who once very publicly criticized EDM during Coachella 2014 – though his DJ style leans more towards world music remixes than epic bass drops.

Dream Koala Sxsw

Press play on this European producer's atmospheric beats and Dream Koala starts to make sense. After all, koalas sleep up to 18 hours each day, and the sleepy, tranquil melodies and vocals, remind us of The Notwist and early M83, of Dream Koala's material is the perfect way to get you on that same zen level.

Ghost Magnet Roach Motel Sxsw

This Tijuana, Mexico based group is well known on the art circuit for its intense, noisy improvisational skills with horns and the aura of performance art each of the band's shows ooze; check this video for proof. This band's presence at this year's fest is what SXSW is all about: bringing the kinds of stuff you've never heard before and never think you'd like to the masses.

Peanut Butter Wolf Sxsw

How Chris Manak, better known by his DJ moniker Peanut Butter Wolf, got his handle is well-known: In the late 80s, his girlfriend's little brother feared an imaginary demon he called "the peanut butter wolf monster" more than death itself. If you want to slay dance floors across the globe like Manak does, it only makes sense to name yourself after a ferocious harbinger of fear and death.

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Penguin Prison Sxsw

A New York-based musician, Penguin Prison (aka Chris Glover) is known for his immaculate remixes of Maroon 5, Marina and the Diamonds, Imagine Dragons and Ellie Goulding and his super catchy pop songs sung over his own sparkly productions. Very much in the vein of right now, PP's music is indie dance at its fullest, which means his SXSW set will be among the most danceable.

Spf666 Sxsw

This gritty beats by this UK grime-inspired, deep percussion-driven producer runs so hot it's no wonder his handle evokes extra-extra-extra-extra-strength protection from harsh elements. Stomping dembow mixes with negative space and aggressive, often syncopated traditional drums to keep you guessing where SPF666 will take the song next. We love being kept on our toes.

Talking To Turtles Sxsw

Naked vocals and Americana-inspired, folksy melodies blend to make this German band's music sound instantly homey and familiar. If one could talk to turtles, what would the turtles say? The answer surely lies in the Deutsch duo's storybook lyrics.