10 Bands Who Had Terrible Names Before They Were Successful
5. Creed
Now, imagine hearing a band live and asking, "Who is that?", then hearing a name that there's absolutely no chance anyone of sound mind could Google... or go into a record shop to ask for... or request from a DJ... or just say out loud.
That's what you have here, as Creed were originally named 'Naked Toddler'.
Founding member, vocalist - and the only member of the band not to join Alter Bridge - Scott Stapp wrote in his 2012 book Sinner's Creed that the band first performed as 'Naked Toddler' at Yianni's in Tallahassee, which was a name picked up by guitar virtuoso Tremonti from a headline in that day's newspaper.
The reaction that night to the name was, rather predictably, a negative one, and a name change was decided. Brian Marshall said he had been in a band called Mattox Creed. Stapp latched onto the Creed part, and the group agreed.
Thankfully that name change came before debut album 'My Own Prison' and the band's rise to fame, although arguably that second part may never have arrived had the outfit stuck with their original title.
Creed disbanded in 2004 before reuniting in 2009, which was followed by another hiatus in 2013. Ten years on and the band have confirmed another reunion for 2023, although Tremonti, Philips and Marshall have been a constant in Alter Bridge for the entirety of that time since 2004.