Top 10 Bands Whose Authentic Names Are Abbreviations / Acronyms
Metal_TreasureThe Top Ten
AC/DC = Alternating Current, Direct Current. Malcolm and Angus Young developed the idea for the band's name after seeing "AC/DC" on an electric sewing machine. - Metal_Treasure

The only definitive acronym here.
An acronym from the initials of the band members first names - Agnetha, Björn, Benny, Anni-Frid. - Metal_Treasure
Stands for: Rapid Eye Movement (a phase of sleep). Apparently, when picking a name for the band, Michael Stipe randomly selected R.E.M. from a dictionary. - Metal_Treasure

W.A.S.P. probably stands for White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, being the original meaning of the acronym.
Some claimed W.A.S.P. was an acronym for "We Are Sexually Perverted." - Metal_Treasure
We Ain't Sure Pal

UFO stands for Unidentified flying object.
UFO is a rock-to-metal band from the UK. I really like their song Doctor Doctor (covered by Iron Maiden). - Metal_Treasure

REO stands for Ransom Eli Olds - pioneer of the American automotive industry, for whom both the Oldsmobile and REO brands were named.
The band founder Neal Doughty came up with this name, inspired by his transportation history class at the University of Illinois.
REO Speedwagon is an American rock band. - Metal_Treasure

American punk rock band. Guitarist Eric Melvin says that he came up with the name, inspired by the broken up punk band "Negative FX". The name is also meant to symbolize the band's rejection of gimmickry that the band was seeing in music at the time. - Metal_Treasure
Bono once said that the band name came from its interactivity with the audience...as in "you too." - Metal_Treasure

D.R.I. = Dirty Rotten Imbeciles.
D.R.I. is an American crossover thrash band. - Metal_Treasure
The Contenders
UB40 - The UK government's form number for the Unemployment Benefit Attendance Card, as shown on the band's debut album Signing Off. - Metal_Treasure
A Fire Inside


I think their authentic name isn't an abbreviation - their name is Electric Light Orchestra, ELO is just for short.
Authentic names are AC/DC or ABBA, for example. They have no other (longer) names. - Metal_Treasure
Stormtroopers of death
French thrash/speed metal band - Metal_Treasure

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2. R.E.M.
3. ABBA
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2. R.E.M.
3. ABBA
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