The bands Franz Ferdinand and Kasabian have very unique names. If you have ever wondered, here is where they came up with their names.
The Scottish band’s name was originally inspired by a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand after they saw the horse win the Northumberland Plate in 2001. The band then began discussing the Austrian Empire’s “Archduke Franz Fedinand” who’s assassination in 1914 is considered the most immediate cause of World War I.
“Mainly we just liked the way it sounded,” said bassist Bob Hardy. “We liked the alliteration.”
“He was an incredible figure as well,” said singer/guitarist Alex Kapranos. “His life, or at least the ending of it, was the catalyst for the complete transformation of the world and that is what we want our music to be. But I don’t want to over-intellectualize the name thing. Basically a name should just sound good … like music.”
Drummer Paul Thomson added, “I like the idea that, if we become popular, maybe the words Franz Ferdinand will make people think of the band instead of the historical figure.”
The British band Kasabian was named after Linda Kasabian, a member of the Charles Manson “Family” who was offered immunity from prosecution for her testimony and evidence against Manson.
Bassist Chris Edwards explained how the former guitarist of the band Chris Karloff picked the name. Reading up on Charles Manson, the Kasabian name stuck with Karloff.
“He just thought the word was cool, it literally took about a minute after the rest of us heard it… so it was decided,” says Edwards.
Here’s another one for you…
Depeche Mode Name Meaning???
If you don’t know, now you know…B.I.G.