In honor of one of my favorite articles of clothing, which I will leave to you to identify through today’s Last Man Standing, let us cite bands named after articles of clothing. Need I say more? Go!
120 Responses to “Last Man Standing: Bands Named After Articles of Clothing”
I think it’s a tweedy Sherlock Holmes type hat. They called it a deerstalker cap in the books, I believe. Oh, and “Dyke and the Blazers – Last Man Standing. What an unfortunate nickname.
By the way, I was thinking of your love of fake film hair last night when I was watching “Fever Pitch.” It was a rewarding few hours as it not only starred the delectable Colin Firth, but there was a guest cameo by Nick Hornby AND lots of bad wigs.
Did you know there were two Capris groups. One white the one with “There’s a moon out tonight” and the black early 50s group with “God Only Knows” mid 50s.
Well, since my first two choices (the Psychedelic Furs and Men Without Hats) have already been suggested I am forced to go with the nuclear option: The Wrestling Boot Band.
After reading this, I was thinking about other types of shoes (see comment #68) and I thought “There has to be a band named the Brothel Creepers, what a great name!”. I looked it up and there is http://www.myspace.com/creepersband , a rockabilly cover band.
My very first record purchase at the age of 10. Also my very first record store clerk snobbery experience. As I waiting to get the two clerks’ attention, they were discussing how terrible that hooga shocka song was. To their credit, when I then asked for it they said something like “the customer’s always right.”
That formative experience may have led to me pursuing a career as both a music snob and a record store clerk (for a couple years anyway).
I have these songs burned on my brain from many listens on long car rides from AZ to CA as a kid. Two songs by a group with Blue in the name – go figure?
Shoes
Sneakers
Swingin’ Blue Jeans
Blue Caps
Cardigans
And that, if anyone is curious, is the favored article of clothing that inspired this LMS.
I figured, given the tag.
Also, Mr. Rogers Redux — Rock On!
I’m wearing one right now!
Me too! I bet Robert Quine was buried in a cardigan.
I can hold out no longer; a few of you will have to kick yourself for not yet grabbing what is surely this vaunted spot:
The Raincoats.
LAST MAN STANDING!
White Denim from Tx.
or … ugh … Plain White Ts … ?
I figured I’d let someone have The Raincoats just so I could swoop in with The Dirty Mac.
The Windbreakers
Also works as a fart joke of course.
The Bangles. HA! Last man standing, baby!
Tuxedo Moon
Good one. Please note: Jewel is a solo artist, not a band. She does not qualify.
Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans.
Golden Earring
Los Straitjackets
Thee Headcoats? What the hell is a headcoat, anyway?
I think it’s a tweedy Sherlock Holmes type hat. They called it a deerstalker cap in the books, I believe. Oh, and “Dyke and the Blazers – Last Man Standing. What an unfortunate nickname.
Here in DC we have a band called the Legwarmers. You should disqualify that one, since they’re a cheeseball 80s revival outfit.
The Knickerbockers
The Plimsouls.
You are right — cheez — some of my friends can’t get enough of them, but they make me hate 80s music.
Not just any Morning Jacket. MY Morning Jacket.
aloha
LD
Brave Belt. The precursor to the mighty Bachman Turner Overdrive!
Merton Parkas (w/ Mick Talbot, pre-Style Council)
The Dickies
The Cufflinks
Bikini Kill
The Capris
X-Ray Spex
The Psychedelic Furs….I’m assuming that’s an article of clothing unless someone has some background on that one.
The Chocolate Watchband: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxzjtqNW-zc
Myracle Brah
Last Man Standing
Damn it, I had that one in my back pocket…err, I mean, oh forget it.
Clogs
(sort of a side project for members of The National).
The Sandals…it’s a good night to watch “The Endless Summer” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM_SnomVmMU
Sneaker Pimps
The Chesterfields: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKO1FtK7bqA
You know you’ve been holding back: Men Without Hats
You guys are good! HVB’s link to an interview with Stevie Wonder’s collaborators reminds me of the band they were in: Tonto’s Exploding Headband.
Do “wigs” count? If so, Purple Merkins
I don’t think we can count wigs, false eyelashes, hair extensions, plugs, or fake nails. I bet there are A LOT of bands named after fake fingernails.
The Four Tops
By the way, I was thinking of your love of fake film hair last night when I was watching “Fever Pitch.” It was a rewarding few hours as it not only starred the delectable Colin Firth, but there was a guest cameo by Nick Hornby AND lots of bad wigs.
G.Love (and Special Sauce)
Helmet!
Mink DeVille
There was a Detroit band that released a couple of singles in about 1970 calle Frut (sic) of the Loom.
Pantyraid
The Swingin’ Medallions (I was hoping this was Mod’s favorite article of clothing, btw)
It is in my Top 5, which in no particular order is probably composed of cardigans, v-neck sweaters, medallions, panchos, and corduroy pants.
Double Shot of My Baby’s Love is an all time great for me!
The Winkle Pickers (pointy shoes favored by many 60s British rockers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybIss9yLmcE
The Nylons.
The Whyte Boots. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78_6pE-r0g0
Windsor for the Derby
North Mississippi All Stars
The Waistcoats
???
Pearls Before Swine
Converse All Stars
Ha! We’ve officially reached the “pushing it” stage of this competition:)
Really? “The Four Tops”
Scuffy Shew
From the RTH archives!
From the jewelry department…The Mighty Diamonds!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JcCQlZXMAM
Plain White T’s
aloha
LD
Found this on a hunch: Johnny and the Leisure Suits http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMATj4fD1T0
The video is worthy of some commentary….
Tin Hat Trio
Did you know there were two Capris groups. One white the one with “There’s a moon out tonight” and the black early 50s group with “God Only Knows” mid 50s.
Noticed “Tuxedo Moon.” Here’s my take. “Tuxedo Junction.” 70s.
The Veils
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPsd2XaBKzc
-this guy’s father was the singer of Shriekback 😛
Oh man, flashing back to the late-80s outside of Chicago and The Loop 98. Now I have to search “Good Sturdy Woman” from Johnny B
aloha
LD
A Raincoat (“I Love You For Your Mind Not Your Body”)
Well, since my first two choices (the Psychedelic Furs and Men Without Hats) have already been suggested I am forced to go with the nuclear option: The Wrestling Boot Band.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wrestling_Boot_Band
The Anoraks
Aviator (sunglasses, Mr Mod)
Rollerskate Skinny
The Muffs.
Alright, last card in my deck: Denim
Kaki King?
Okay then….Serge Gainsbourg?
From Nuggets , The Brogues.
Assuming they are talking about shoes and not Irish accents.
After reading this, I was thinking about other types of shoes (see comment #68) and I thought “There has to be a band named the Brothel Creepers, what a great name!”. I looked it up and there is http://www.myspace.com/creepersband , a rockabilly cover band.
The Shirts
Got the album to prove it.
errrmmmm..uhh…..Jeff Tweedy!
Thanks Slim–you jogged my memory.
The Tweeds, and their great ode to record collecting “I Need That Record”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g1ZPXoaIag
Allright, we’re reduced to mere fabrics here. I say: The Velvet Underground.
Sorry about the 2d on the Plain White T’s.
Bootsy Collins.
aloha
LD
How about Blue Swede (as in shoes)? You only need to hear the 1st 5 seconds to recognize this classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5jkAkm4JmM
Les Chaussettes Noires
Les Sans Culottes, from Brooklyn.
I became well acquainted with that song from a tape, “Top Hits of the 70’s” and probably released about 1977 or so.
My very first record purchase at the age of 10. Also my very first record store clerk snobbery experience. As I waiting to get the two clerks’ attention, they were discussing how terrible that hooga shocka song was. To their credit, when I then asked for it they said something like “the customer’s always right.”
That formative experience may have led to me pursuing a career as both a music snob and a record store clerk (for a couple years anyway).
Beauty!
The Dufflecoats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SMvlPeVPCM This is from one of my all-time favorite compilations CDs…
Here is the iconic tape (here on 8 track): http://www.discogs.com/Various-Top-Hits-Of-The-70s/release/2947775
I have these songs burned on my brain from many listens on long car rides from AZ to CA as a kid. Two songs by a group with Blue in the name – go figure?
Also, a swede is another name for a turnip.
You shooting smack, too?
Die Toten Hosen (literally translates as, “The Dead Pants/Trousers”)
Marina and the Diamonds.
Continuing in the jewelry department, Pearl Harbor and the Explosions
The JoBoxers!!!!
Ooh, I just realized there’s some untapped territory out there: “sexwear,” such as Arab Strap.
LAST MAN STANDING!
Maybe it’s a weird sex toy? Squirrel Nut Zippers.
Nope, it’s a type of candy.
The Oxfords “(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqowQZVflUU
Following Mod’s line of thinking, The Strap-Ons: http://youtu.be/thBOIfjzIhc
Felt
The Amazing (Royal) Crowns
And the Royal Crown Revue…
And my favorite of them all, the Crown Royals….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B3jpFIMQzg
What was going on in the mid-90s?
Suede
I used to know Jason, the singer. He worked at my favorite record store and we would shoot the shit about music.
Velvet Crush!
I saw them play in Boston a few times. There was a little mid-90s rockabilly revival in Boston.
The Pinstripes (Yo Cincinnati!)
The Hollywood Argyles