20 Coolest South African Band Names
So here they are. The 20 Coolest South African Band Names… in my opinion at least 
Starting from the bottom of the top 20, let’s begin.
20. Munk
Munk. What is a Munk? The brilliance of this name is in the multitude of images it provokes. Could it mean Munk, as in church monk? I get a whole lot of biblical images when thinking about this name. Great band. Cool name.
19. Agro
Agro are one of the coolest and best South African bands. Their music is epic, and it must be said, they have a pretty cool name as well. “Last night I saw Agro.” “How was it?” “Pretty Agro boet.”
18. Desmond and the Tutus
The first time I heard this band name, I rolled around laughing. Desmond Tutu is an amazing person. And this is an amazing band name.
17. Fuzigish
“Fuzi coming at you with the fat ska beatin’!” Fuzigish are an awesome band and one of my personal favourites. What exactly is a ‘fuzigish’? Umm… der… it’s a gish which is fuzi.
16. Freshly Ground
Freshly Ground is such a cool name. It evokes images of coffee, Africa, South Africa and some awesome music. I’ll take a double shot latte of some freshly ground please.
15. Misericord
One of South Africa’s best, if not the best South African metal band. I was really upset to hear that they have very recently disbanded. Nonetheless, cool band, cool music and cool name.
14. Goldfish
Goldfish have really taken South Africa by storm. Their epic tunes resonate throughout the country, and personally, I don’t know many people who have not seen them live. It must said, Goldfish is a pretty cool name.
13. Zebra and Giraffe
I lol’d hard when I first heard this band name. Although quickly gained my composure when I heard their music. These guys rock and will continue to do so for years to come. Cool name, even cooler band.
12. Gross Misconduct
I am a great fan of punk band names, and this is prime example of why they are so brilliant. Gross misconduct, the premediated, serious, unlawful action, is the name this band holds; and what a cool one it is.
11. Deity’s Muse
An excellent band with an excellent name. It sounds all cool and evil and stuff. A winner!
10. Fokofpolisiekar
While this name has largely lost its edge, with increasing repetition through the media, it must be said: Fokofpolisiekar is the most controversial name that a South African band with large commercial success has ever had. I still think it’s pretty cool.
9. Taxi Violence
What a cool name, while pretty scary at the same time. I reckon that only South Africans will know what Taxi Violence entails. Cool name; although, a horrific event.
8. Knave
What exactly is a Knave? ” A deceitful and unreliable scoundrel.” How cool is that? A cool name which matches an equally cool band.
7. Unlisted
I love this name. +10 points
6. Running With Scissors
I lol endlessly at this expression and band name. It is one which has been used for centuries and something which all of us are told at least once in our lives. Plus it evokes the key defiance of conventional norms which is so critical to the being of punk music.
5. The Rudimentals
Man, oh man! What a cool band! What a cool name! Pretty clever too. For those of you who do not know, rudiment means the key, bare essentials.
4. Sugardrive
It was a great name back then. It is still great name now. Me likey.
…. and the bronze medal goes to….
3. The Dirty Skirts
What a brilliant name! So indie! Very cool, and a very cool band as well.
…. and in second place….
2. Guns Go Bang
This name is absolute genius. Bang Bang! Skiet Skiet! Guns go bang! and our music does too.
…. and the coolest South African band name is….
1. The Vendetta Cartel
This gets my vote as the coolest South African band name. It must be said, this is bloody cool band! It has a cool name, makes cool music and has the coolest members.
____________
Now, i know I have probably left out loads of names and you might disagree with order. As such, I’m going to sit down and work out the 100 coolest South African Band Names. So if you are in a band, drop me a comment here!
So what do you think are the coolest South African band names?
Related posts:
(5 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5)
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What About:
– The Fruit Fly Navigators
– Not My Dog
– Plum
– The Narrow
– Squatta Kamp
– Zen Arcade
– Starseed
– Super Juice
– Three Weeks Anaemic
– (One I saw at Splashy this year) Haggis and bong
Yeah all of those are pretty cool
Will def include in my top 100.
Soul Proxy
Harris Tweed
Kings Don’t Marry Queens
what about these:
koert darren
steve hofmeyr
niekolas louw
die campblems
hahahahahahah
cool list
Cool list. I somehow don’t like the name “The Vendetta Cartel” for some weird reason but I must say, they are a pretty interesting band when they play live! Anyway, off the top of my head:
- Hog Hoggidy Hog
- City Bowl Mizers
- Fire Through The Window
- Gonzo Republic
- kidofdoom
- Squeal
- The Magic of Pegasus
- Pitch Black Afro
I think “The one night stans” is a pretty cool name to
Nice list!
@ Topher – Those are some cool band names, I particularly like “Kings don’t marry Queens”
@Justin – hahahaha! I laughed hard…
@Shahil – Those are brilliant names! I really wanted to add Pitch Black Afro and Hog Hoggidy Hog to the list, but just couldn’t quite squeeze them into the top 20
@Jason – Thanks brother!
Hmmm… I think a top 100 is definitely in order. Thanks for all the comments everyone. Will def take those names into consideration when drafting the top 100.
My friend Liale was the guitarist from Kings Dont Marry Queens
Cows Dont Float
Vendetta Cartel is at Tempos tomorrow – huge punk fest!! going to rock out jack!
Hey Bret
Thanks for the no1 Spot..much Appreciated
Hendrik
TVC
@ Another Nation Corrupted – HAHAHA! ‘Cows Don’t Float’ is a brilliant name! Man, I would love to go to a punk fest again. Haven’t been to a punk show in quite a few years. Enjoy it!
@ Hendrik – TVC is a great name and definitely deserves the number 1 spot.
- Three weeks wednesday
- Flip a coin
=)
@ Saffa – Three weeks wednesday is pretty cool.
Sort of reminds me of ‘Jam on Tuesday’, which narrowly missed my top 20.
Howzit Brett and guys,
From everyone in MUNK, we just wanna say a big thanks for including us on this list and we’re all very glad that our drunken’ band name idea came across as cool. A proud moment for all of us ;-P.
A little bit of a background MUNK is a play on words and it actually stands for Metal + pUNK = MUNK as we’re a fusion of styles and the gimmich is relating to the monks and so forth. So we now know it was pretty effective!
Hope to catch you all at our next show!
Praise the MUNK,
Yuri
MUNK
http://www.myspace.com/munksa
Ha! So there we have it ladies and gentlemen. The truth behind the name ‘Munk’!
Thanks for the comment Yuri! Catch you at a show soon
[...] Agro are listed in MusicReview’s 20 coolest band names. [...]
what about:
bed on bricks
one sock thief
albinobeach
lark
isochronous
@ lolly – Those are pretty cool
I really like Bed on Bricks and One Sock Thief; not too keen on the names Albinobeach and Lark though.
Don’t know why but Pestroy still kicks me in the face every time I see it! I love that freaking name!
Oh yeah, Facing The Gallows has to be the most metal name of all time – it just screams death and doom (hell yeah!).
Now, how about the stupidest names of all time…I can think of at least thirty
Heheheeh! Facing the Gallows is an uber-metal name. I don’t know why, but the name ‘Pestroy’ has never really blown me away. Good band though.
Sergio, 30 stupidest band names. The floor is yours! In fact we should colab, and come up with the 100 stupidest band names.
Hey Bret
thanks so much for thinking we make the grade for coolest name
u rock buddy
PESTROY PESTROY PESTROY PESTROY PESTROY
@ Jean – Glad to have you guys on the list! Knave is a pretty damn cool name, it must be said!
@ Greg – Another vote for Pestroy! Seems to be a pretty popular name!
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[...] Dirty Skirts are included in MusicReview’s 20 coolest South African Band names. (No Ratings Yet) Loading [...]
What about Mondegreen ? (meaning : Misheard lyric)
For ex : Britney Spears (if you seek amy) it sounds like F.U.C.K me, but it’s iF yoU SeeK amy…that’s a Mondegreen, pretty cool don’t you think?
Cool list!
metal names in general get me laughing:
betray the emissary
the horror cast
…and you will know us by the trail of the dead
etc
hehehe, yeah those are pretty cool.
What about!?!
Pity the Fool
The Plastics
Pink Noise
Twee Nelle, ‘n Bottel en ‘n Barnard
Die Antwoord
Die Heuwels Fantasties
Tidal Waves
Ashtray Electric
[...] feature on the 20 Coolest South African Band Names inspired me to seek out and compile my own list of the top 10 stupidest band names ever. Now, this [...]
These are pretty wikid too:
Organic Lounge
Chilli ‘n Lime
ALBINOBEACH, they’re as wierd as their name.
Albino Beach is a brilliant name! Cool band as well!
Thanks BretD for having Knave on your list – The name came about when the 4 of us were tadpoles and embarrassing as it was, we actually misspelt the word “naïve”…
But we stuck with it anyway and over the years various personal meanings have been attached to it.
So Knave it is – new myspace up – http://www.myspace.com/knaveband
Many thanks
Mike
What about :
Jack parrow
Die antwoord
The Narrow
Spire
Chromium
Manchuri Resin
THE KIDDIE FIDDLERS
is the ultimate band name
and their EP was called “Music in A minor” get it. Brilliant
Chromium isn’t an original name. its such a blatant ripoff of trivium, in my opinion. I like voodoo child – cool name and cool band
Pluto Was a Planet is a pretty awesome name.
what about the otherwise, city bowl mizers, hog hogdy hog
You guys should check out OCTAINIUM briliant band saw them live at rocktober fest, best stage, and music’s original
What about City Bowl Mizers and Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters?
Bringing a shark to a gunfight
any of you know the name of the band where they are wearing animal costumes. saw it on MK a few months back. it almost sound like the offspring when you hear it the first time, but it aint them.
wil graag weet.
dankie
not bloodhound gang
[...] The Vendetta Cartel The winners of South Africa’s Coolest Band Name, The Vendetta Cartel are one of the best punk bands on the local [...]
[...] Fokofpolisiekar Arguably the country’s most celebrated, and controversial (largely due to their name), Afrikaans rock band. Fokof’ have a massive following and boast a Facebook fanbase of more [...]
[...] The Rudimentals Listed at #5 on the 20 Coolest South African Band Names, The Rudimentals are keeping the ska/reggae scene [...]
What about these:
Buckfever Underground
Baarmoedergevoel
Ekhouvanjouok
Straatligkinders
Zinkplaat
Mr Cat and the Jackal
Dansdanslisa
Boo!
Bittereinder
Where is “Die Heuwels fantasties….they are the coolest band out there, how could you miss them???
What about Wrestlerish, Pestroy, Red Helen, Isochronous, Man As Machine?
There was one called The Stevie Wonderfuls
Three More White Guys
What about Stillborn Society? Cool list!
One Day remains – they are back o the scene and better than ever! Cant wait for the album to be released!
Rad to see Deity’s Muse on the list, good choice. My other favourate names are: Marlowe, Only Forever, Poverty Of Ideals, Even Flow (Hot chick vocalist with PJ song as name, can’t go wrong) aaaaaaand….
—>!!WICKHEAD!!<—
What about the name
When Karma Sleeps?
Anybody heard of Mugshot – Awesome
what about the new up and coming rock band from cape town? Their name is Scarlequin. Awesome band man.
Shittest band name list ever.
Does nobody remember The Stevie Wonderfuls? Or Humphrey The Teacup? Or ATFN?
The Light Exchange
Awesome news about Guns Go Bang, really bitchn’ band, am very proud to know the band members…….u dudes ROCK!!!
What about UNCLE STOMACH ?
My vote goes to The Insisters.We wanted to call our band Free Beer but no-one would book us…
My top 5 SA Bands
1. Wake to wonder- (To wake up to something spectacular or a realization of a new day)- These dudes have tweaked their sound alot since they first began and have held SA music high by touring Europe in July/August 2011, max props and respect to them. One of SAs hardest working bands who do not get enough exposure
2. The Frail- Hardcore party music! these dudes can party an entire month without blinking an eye, cool guys, great music!
3. All Will Fall- These dudes have claimed acrazy hits on Youtube! more than popular SA Bands, Great bunch of dudes,
4. Chromium- Great guys! Always gigging and throwing out some serious shapes on the dancefloor after every gig
5. Graeme Watkins Project- Not the most orginal name in the world, but great dudes and fantastic musos!
DIE ANTWOORD….. Watkin “ninja” and Yolandi are the whoop! Freaky flows!
ZEF BEATS
“Guns Go Bang”? Are you fucking serious?
Did the person who compiled this list ever listen to music older than 2004??
Do you even live in SA… name the one band that has their own movie, that made the first ever swearing words to be published on SA national TV, that unsigned sold more than 80 0000 copies… Fokofpolsiekar!!!!
Die heuwels van tasties
Aking
Van coke cartel
Die tuindwergies
Mr cat and the jackel
Koldproduk
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