11 Band Names You’ve Probably Been Saying Wrong

Some band names are easier to pronounce than others. Not too many people mess up the Beatles or Nirvana. Others avoid having to mention ALVVAYS altogether for fear of sounding like someone with a speech impediment. The Canadian band is often referred simply as “that Canadian band with that real shitty name”.

Here are some bands and musicians that tend to get mispronounced:

The singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has an Armenian name meaning “comes with a sword”. In interviews Stevens has stated that his name is "a charming militaristic Muslim name." It sounds like the name parents who allow their children to call them by their first names give their first-born.

GAUZE (GAR-ZAY)

The legendary Japanese hardcore band’s name is often pronounced in the same way as the medical bandage. Attend one of their intense shows in Tokyo and you may need some gauze to wrap around your wounds.

TODD TERJE (TODD TERR-YEAH)

The Norwegian is best known for making druggy disco music for people who have dinner parties. But the dj, songwriter and producer’s stage name is a homage to house music producer Todd Terry. This is what he told FACT back in 2012 “I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night thinking: “How did I say that again?” It´s a tricky one. But try saying ‘Terr-YEAH’ and you’re close.”

TORO Y MOI (TOH-ROH E MWAH)

Of course in Spanish toro means ‘bull’ and moi is ‘me’ in French. If you’re actual name was Chaz Bundick you’d probably prefer people calling you ‘Bull and Me’ too.

GOTYE (GO-TEE-AY)

BON IVER (BONE E-VAIR)

Regular readers of Bon Iver erotic fan fiction will tell you that the Wisconsin indie folk band's name is not pronounced like Bon Jovi or Bon Scott. Which is a shame.

FKA TWIGS (FKA TWIGS)

I’ve been told by a reliable source that it’s not pronounced Fucker Twigs.

SBTRKT (SUBTRACT)

Aaron Jerome calls himself SBTRK because he doesn’t like talking to djs, which is fair enough. Talking to djs while wearing a mask is a little odd in itself. Jerome has explained. “The name SBTRKT is me taking myself away from that whole process. I'm not a social person, so having to talk to DJs to make them play a record is not something I want to do. It's more about giving them a record as an anonymous person and seeing whether they like it or not. If they play it, they play it.”

HUSKER DU (HOOSKER DU)

In Danish "Husker Du?" (meaning “Do you remember?") is a children's memory board game. In punk rock Husker Du are one of the greatest bands that ever existed and are responsible for songs such as “Diane” and “Celebrated Summer”.

LYNARD SKYNARD (LIN-NERD SKIN-NERD)

Who cares how you say the name when it’s origin is so cool. The story goes that when the kings of southern rock started out they tried a number of different names including My Backyard and One Percent. They eventually ended up with naming their band after the gym coach Leonard Skinner who was responsible for founding member Gary Rossington quitting high school after being suspended for having his hair too long. We wonder if that Mr. Skinner ever went on to become a principal.