Two weeks ago I compiled a listed of the lengthiest band names, while last week the shortest well-known ones were listed. This week’s list contains a portion of those rock bands with contrasting (oxymoron) names. Turns out, there are many famous bands included, especially from the hard rock and metal genres.
- Angel Witch
- Arctic Monkeys
- Biggie Smalls
- Black Mass
- Black Sabbath
- Cowboy Junkies
- Dark Angel
- Death Angel
- East West
- Fatboy Slim
- Glass Tiger
- Gin Blossoms
- Grateful Dead
- Guns ‘n’ Roses
- Happy Mondays
- Iron Butterfly
- Iron Maiden
- Iron Virgin
- Judas Priest
- Killing Joke
- Led Zeppelin
- Living Sacrifice
- Metal Church
- Molly Hatchet – Thank you Cal!
- Morbid Angel
- Quiet Riot
- Shotgun Messiah
- Static in Stereo
- Steel Panther
- Stone Roses
- The Killjoys
- Trashcan Sinatras
- Velvet Revolver
- Vertical Horizons
- Wild Nothing
- Winter Rose
All of the names listed depict stark contrasts in visual or mental imagery. It appears that one advantage of using an oxymoron name is so the band does not pigeon-holed into one musical style or genre. We might be as tough as a revolver, but we also have a softer, velvet-like side.
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While preparing this post, I came across a fascinating and informative flow chart of heavy metal band names created by Doogie Horner in 2008. Thought you might like to view it.
problogic
Panethos 
post not working in firefox
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I use Firefox and have not had any problems viewing the blog with it. Is it just this post that’s not working for you?
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How about Molly Hatchet for an oxymoron band name?
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You got it. Will add.
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