A story from a press release received this week, which caught my attention:
The U.K. band BROTHER have changed their name to VIVA BROTHER after a legal challenge by another band named “Brother.” The U.K. band Brother, with their increasingly high profile in America, came to the attention of the other band - an Australian 'powerhouse celtic tribal trio' based in the USA that combine 'the deep pulse of the didgeridoo, the soaring highs of the bagpipes, and tribal percussion.'
In the spirit of The Chemical Brothers and Santigold before them, the band decided that life would be simpler if they changed their name for the world rather than just the USA, and avoided a battle in the US courts - Viva Brother were born. They were briefly called 'Brother UK' in the USA, like the Charlatans UK before them, but the geographical addition to the word Brother was not accepted in this new digital age.
Good for the band, since I think "Viva Brother" will be more searchable than "Brother" (just a little bit!), but want to repeat what I have been saying times before - in today's world, think very carefully while naming your musical act.
That's kinda sweet way to comment on the name change though:
Lead singer Lee Newell said, 'A long time ago in a galaxy far far away three men decided one day that it would be a good idea to start a band called Brother. Many, many years later four frighteningly handsome devils in the desolate, post apocalyptic wasteland of Slough decided to do the same thing. But something called "litigation" got in the way. However with this out of the way we do finally feel free. Brother is dead. Long Live VIVA BROTHER!’
