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Top 10 Bands Whose Authentic Names Are Abbreviations / Acronyms
Metal_TreasureThe Top Ten
1 AC/DC
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
2 R.E.M.
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
3 ABBA
ABBA were a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
ABBA were a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The only definitive acronym here.
An acronym from the initials of the band members first names - Agnetha, Björn, Benny, Anni-Frid. - Metal_Treasure
4 W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 by Blackie Lawless, who is the only remaining original member of the band.
W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 by Blackie Lawless, who is the only remaining original member of the band. 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
5 UFO
UFO are an English rock band that was formed in 1969. They became a transitional group between early hard rock and heavy metal and the new wave of British heavy metal.
UFO are an English rock band that was formed in 1969. They became a transitional group between early hard rock and heavy metal and the new wave of British heavy metal. 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
6 INXS
INXS were an Australian rock and pop band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales.
INXS were an Australian rock and pop band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales.
7 REO Speedwagon
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
8 NOFX
NOFX are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after.
NOFX are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. 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
9 U2
V 1 Comment
10 D.R.I.
D.R.I. is an American crossover thrash band that formed in Houston, Texas in 1982. As of 2015, the band comprises two of its founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Walter "Monsta" Ryan and bassist Harald Oimoen.
D.R.I. is an American crossover thrash band that formed in Houston, Texas in 1982. As of 2015, the band comprises two of its founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Walter "Monsta" Ryan and bassist Harald Oimoen. D.R.I. = Dirty Rotten Imbeciles.
D.R.I. is an American crossover thrash band. - Metal_Treasure
The Contenders
11 H.E.A.T
12 UB40
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
13 R.I.P.
14 OMD
15 ABC
16 MGMT
MGMT is an American rock band formed in 2002 by Benjamin Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden. After the release of their first album, the members of their live band, Matthew Asti, James Richardson and Will Berman, joined the core band in the studio.
MGMT is an American rock band formed in 2002 by Benjamin Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden. After the release of their first album, the members of their live band, Matthew Asti, James Richardson and Will Berman, joined the core band in the studio.
17 OMC
18 ELO
The Electric Light Orchestra are an English rock band from Birmingham. They were formed in 1970 by songwriters/multi-instrumentalists Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne with drummer Bev Bevan.
The Electric Light Orchestra are an English rock band from Birmingham. They were formed in 1970 by songwriters/multi-instrumentalists Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne with drummer Bev Bevan. 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
19 PIL
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List StatsUpdated 21 Sep 2017
19 listings
1 year, 319 days old
1 year, 319 days old
Top Remixes
1. AC/DC
2. R.E.M.
3. ABBA
Metal_Treasure
2. R.E.M.
3. ABBA
Metal_Treasure
1. AC/DC
2. R.E.M.
3. ABBA
IronSabbathPriest
2. R.E.M.
3. ABBA
IronSabbathPriest
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