10 Rock Bands Who Had Horrible Original Names

For a band as heavy as Queen, you can't say they couldn't live up to their name. Combining the raw intensity of rock and roll with an heir of musical professionalism, the band quickly rose to the top of the charts as true rock royalty. Though the name suits them very well, their beginnings were a lot more tame than many rock fans could stomach.

While Queen is not necessarily the edgiest of rock band names, the group's first incarnation as Smile wouldn't have given them a prayer in breaking through to the mainstream. Granted, there have been many great artistic works in rock history featuring Smile like the Beach Boys' album, but when compared the kind of noise this band is known for making, it feels a bit too saccharine.

It might make sense for a band christened Smile to play a song like "Killer Queen," but the idea of that very same band playing a song as aggressive as "Stone Cold Crazy" or "Ogre Battle" seems pretty puzzling in context. After the band drafted in powerhouse vocalist Freddie Mercury, Queen was officially reborn as one of the most adventurous acts in rock music. Though the smiles may have faded, the monarchy was now underway.