While many folks are simply in awe of those who are geniuses in one area of expertise - the Hendrixes, the Mozarts... but I've always been more drawn to the Renaissance men, and Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino, would easily fall under that category (Standup comedian! Sitcom star on Community! Mastermind of one of the more innovative shows on television, Atlanta! Playing a young Lando! Combining ancient Egypt with VR and computer coding!). He's had an intriguing rap career also, but some have just considered the Gambino side as a side project/hobby or perhaps even an extension of his comedic talents.  The name and how it came to be even lends itself to that notion. 

Childish Gambino was the name given to him when he used an online Wu Tang Clan name generator. 

He's had an eccentric genius style to his music and videos over the course of his first few albums...

...but that has all changed with his latest, which he tapped into a completely unexpected and mind-blowing vein of low-down 70's-style soul/R&B. Childish Gambino is now a Mannish Gambino. 

In fact, I've become so inspired, I'm beginning a Childish cover band by the name of Scratchin' Dreamer. My name origin? Take a wild guess...

This week's entry combines my honouring Canada's 150th birthday in 2017 via Canuck bands, creative uses of grammar in band names, and perhaps the best band name origin ever. Montreal noise rock/post-rock collective Godspeed You! Black Emperor takes its name from God Speed You! Black Emperor, a 1976 Japanese black-and-white documentary by director Mitsuo Yanagimachi, which follows the exploits of a Japanese biker gang, the Black Emperors.

But the band doesn't stop at bending the rules of grammar? whilst, referencing Japanese biker docs and composing instrumentals that average 15+min. in length. Nay, they go for broke and make every song and album title completely original. "Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven", "Rockets Fall On Rocket Falls", "F# A# ∞", " 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!", "Strung Like Lights At Thee Printemps Erable" and on... It's a good thing of their ditties are sprawling epics - that gives the listener time to try and figure out what the hell the band is thinking. And the fun is not figuring things out with the band. It's the theorizing what could be happening with them. 

Now turn on that old cerebellum of yours, tune in or out... whatever works better. They say laughter is the best medicine, but sometimes unabashed contemplation is just what the doctor ordered. That, and any other enchancement you may partake whilst listening to the Godspeed folks. 

I've come a little late to game in regards to Car Seat Headrest, but I'm glad I've found them nonetheless. Even if the origin of their name isn't actually true, I'm hooked. To paraphrase Renee Zellweger in Jerry Maguire: "You had me at Killer Whales..." 

Legend has it that Car Seat-founder/mastermind Will Toledo (err... best rock name ever?!?) came up with the band moniker from the countless hours spent during his teenage years in his parents' car writing and recording demos. If there were a indie rock equivalent of Mozart-as-adolescent-prodigy, Will is it. Need proof?

Japan in many ways is like another planet reinterpreting Earth's customs then regurgitating them into something completely different. Melt Banana is just that: a Japanese noise rock band known for playing extremely fast grindcore and noise music mixed with experimental, electronica and pop-based song structures. *phew*

​In a 2014 interview, Yasuko Onuki explained that the banana comes from The Velvet Underground & Nico album cover and Andy Warhol’s pop art. As for melt? “The word ‘melt’ was in my brain, so I named the band Melt-Banana. Actually, it was when I was thinking about song titles and we used it for a band name later.” 

Many times, rock duos are not the most magnetic of performers. It's not their fault - there's only so much stage presence you can have while trying to replicate 3-4 other instruments at the same time. The Bananas, however, are one of the exceptions...

If nothing else, they'll make you rethink everything about The Beach Boys' "Surfin' U.S.A.", and maybe life in general. ​