Business / DJ Name or Alias(es)

[Jonny Boy]

Further to DiscoSteve's comment on another topic, copied below:

"When i chose my name, i looked at local operators, and picked a name that was completely different to whatelse was out there. there are a few Dynamic Discops nationally, but nothing else in Cumbria(9well, nothing with a website, or listed in the phone books that cover us)."

Got me thinking:

How did you choose your name?
How long did it take to decide?
Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?
Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?
Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?

[Vectis]

How did you choose your name?

Vectis is commonly regarded as the Roman name for the Isle of Wight (not true but enough of an urban myth for the purposes of this post) and a handful of companies locally use it, most notably the bus company Southern Vectis but no-one in the entertainments industry with the possible exception of Vectis Votives - a bunch of crazy movie costume folks.

Vibe fits nicely with it and has musical as well as feelgood connotations.

The internet was not awash with either combination.


How long did it take to decide?

About 5 minutes


Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?


Not since relocating here 3 years ago.


Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?

Several times folks have said they liked it as being very original and quite meaningful as a standalone word. No-one's ever criticised it.

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?


We also go under ClubVibe locally for older kids/young teens parties. An attempt to make it seem a little different/more hip for that vertical as the package offered is quite different from a) VectisVibe normally and b) the rest of the locals.

[Ryu]

How did you choose your name?
Was chosen for me. My Dad chose the name and was running the Disco for two years before I came on board. He chose it because he's always liked the pattern and one of his favourite albums Script for a Jester's Tear by Marillion features a Piero type clown wearing a harlequin pattern.
How long did it take to decide?
Not long, as far as I know. Previous names have included Queen of Hearts, Izam (Funny that one, His old DJ partner used to drunkenly respond to the question "Who's the DJ"...hence the name!) Superscope and other pretty bad ones. Not his strong point methinks.

Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?
Queen of Hearts was his most popular. Ran for approx 20 years. Harlequin was a new beginning.

Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?
Not specifically about the name, only the service we provide...as I've said on another thread, your name is just a part of that...if people associate Harlequin with Good Service, then its the right name for us.

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?
Nope no stage names.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

How did you choose your name?
Drunk. Seriously though, i got asked to do a charity event whilst on the drink. I didnt have any equipment as i had been in pubs for a while, and my mum split with my step-dad, who had all the equipmet (he would have seen as it was his disco). I had been toying with the idea of buying a load of equipment and starting up.
I agreed to the charity event, and was asked on the spot which name should go in the programme. At that point we ere stood by a gambler, which was called Dynamic (something or other), so Dynamic Discos sprang to mind, and sounded quite catchy. I looked around to see if there was another Dynamic Discos within Cumbria, and there wasnt, so it stuck


How long did it take to decide?

About 2 minutes, then half hour looking for competition by the same name.


Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?


Nope, never had a different name myself. Im rebranding to Dynamic Entertainment. But i did dj under my step-dads name of "Double D Discos (his name was Dave Dixon, nothing to do with chest size) and "Crazy Daves Disco Roadshow"


Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?

Never had it mentioned specifically, but the names starting to buid a good reputation. :)

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?


DJ Stevie D. It was an U18 event i was djing at when i was 15. The organiser asked what name should go on the big screen for the set times and i was stumped. There was already an MC called Stee-T there, and my mates were calling me Stevie at the time, and my middle names David, so Stevie D was chosen for me. It cand of stuck and followed me into the clubs in adult life.

[Excalibur]

How did you choose your name?
How long did it take to decide?
Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?
Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?
Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?

How did you choose your name?
Present one Excalibur, my then partner and I had interests in Mythology, and a sword motif was cool.
Previous one Highway Star was when Rock/Metal was hip the first time, and we used it as a theme song/show opener.
How long did it take to decide?
Hours. :D
Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?
See above.
Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?
Nothing negative.
Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why
No.

[Daryll]

How did you choose your name?

While on holiday in guernsey , I saw a stunning sunset over the beach at low tide , A very deep red sunset the name just came to me ,Crimson tide disco .

How long did it take to decide?

Pretty instant , decided there and then and never looker back.

Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?

No , I have had this name from day one.

Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?



no comments as such , some people ask why , when I tell them ,they seem happy enough.

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?

I go under the stage name of DJ Monty , named after my cat , who is sleek, cunning and adorable , all the things I`me not :Laugh: :Laugh:

Daryll

[Charlie Brown]

Simply because

"Charlie Browns Disco" is very easy to remember and rather quirky...especially when they see the orange kid with blonde hair. People relate the name of the disco to the way I dress and come across to people, if that makes sense?

[Jiggles]

How did you choose your name?

Well it was brain wave from Darren or Angela about 3 years ago after I found out that that there was another company in my area with the same name!

How long did it take to decide?

As fast as a domain name takes to register! :D

Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?


When i first started I was CB Discos then when a 'friend' joined it was CD Discos then he left and went to CB Entertainments.

Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?

Nope no comments.

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?


Some times I go by Callum Burns. :/ Creative eh. OR DJ Fring when on radio. :D

[DazzyD]

How did you choose your name?

It was the name of my business when I worked in computers.

How long did it take to decide?

For the disco, a matter of seconds. I actually owned the previous business name so all the checks had already been done.

Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?

It was originally Lightning Disco & Karaoke but someone else used that name and rather than challenging it legally, I thought it would be cheaper just to rebrand mine.

Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?

No negative comments to speak of. People have asked how I come by the name, though! (bit like this thread :D)

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?

My stage name is "DJ Dazzy 'D' ". It was suggested with a bit of sarcasm, really, as I've never liked been called "Daz" but the name stuck. A number of years ago, I worked under the name "DJ Spex". For Equity membership purposes, I was one half of "The Good 'Ole Blues Brothers Boys Band" which was a variety act that did a lot of work for charity.


I think this is quite a good thread. I know we've covered this in the past but there are a lot of new members who will find this topic interesting and maybe get some inspiration for their own names (without copying, of course!)

Well done, Jonny Boy, for starting it and Disco Steve for giving him the idea! :approve:

[Tony Scott]

'The Party Shop Disco'

The name was chosen because of my parents business: 'The Party Shop' (fancy dress and all things party related).I moved to Weymouth 4 years ago and had to start again from scratch. The shop is very well known and has been established 20yrs so I just thought it would help being associated with a locally trusted brand. Ironically only about 5% of my work is generated through the shop, the rest is directly from the website but I still think the associaton with a commercial set-up is a benefit.

Before 'The Party Shop Disco' I just DJ'd under my own name

www.partyshopdisco.co.uk

www.partyshopfancydress.co.uk

[Jonny Boy]

I think this is quite a good thread. I know we've covered this in the past but there are a lot of new members who will find this topic interesting and maybe get some inspiration for their own names (without copying, of course!)

Well done, Jonny Boy, for starting it and Disco Steve for giving him the idea! :approve:

Aww fanks. :Embarassed:

Well - I might as well answer my own questions FYI!

How did you choose your name?
I'm somewhat of a ...portly chap. Anticipating the most likely heckle, I decided to take the heat of out it by calling MYSELF "Phat Aahs" before anyone else could. (A re-spell was less offensive, I thought)

I later found out that "Phat" is US slang for "good" and/or refers to a kind of bass-sound. And Aahs sounds a bit like someone singing too. Which was also fortuitous!

How long did it take to decide?
About 20 mins brainstorming (my biggest decision was how many "a's" in aahs ;) and 10 mins checking the net for domains/similiar business names.

Have you every changed the name, and why?
Just this year I re-branded as "(Jon Paul &) Phat Aah's Entertainments". I wanted to highlight my wedding singer name more, as this is where the money is, and I had built up connections and had different live acts ready to offer as alternatives PLUS I wanted to get away from Karaoke.

What was it originally in that case?
Originally the business was "Phat Aahs V*K*D*"

There was popular alcopop being heavily marketed at the time I started up(WKD), so I added "*V*K*D" at the end of my moniker (to indicate *Vocalist/*Karaoke/*Disco). It enabled me to play on their national ad slogan ("Have you got a WKD side?") in my leaflets ("Have you had a *V*K*D time?") Particularly useful in pub advertising, where I started off...
How I got away with that I don't know!

Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?

+v: Several clients have remarked the name made them look twice or laugh, so I suppose that's a good USP.
+v: not a comment but cold-callers from yell, Thomson etc ad infinitum struggle to say it, so it disarms their pitch at the outset.

-v: again, not a comment but some clients struggle to say it too. That hasn't put anyone off that I know of. Also, the VKD bit seemed to confuse more than enlighten..good riddance.

-V: another vendor (photos) once suggested that mums-of-brides might be hesitant to tell everyone "we booked phat aahs". Hence I've added my stage name in marketing so if they ARE that prudish they don't have to say the "rude bit"

-v: "That's just too offensive...I don't like that at all. I would never pay you to perform if I saw that. And all those late nights! And you've put more weight on again. I brought you up better than that." (By my Mum, supportive and liberal as ever.)

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why

Some people call the the joker. Other people, they call me Mau-rice. Not really.
Stage - First and middle name, cos the surname is boring!
Booth - DJ Phat Aah's. Or "Oy, Deeej Butt" if I'm playing the Vallies.

[SC Events]

How did you choose your name?

When the disco was born in April 2007, there was me (Scott), my mate (James) and my Uncle (Steve), hence the SJS. Now there is just me, due to some conflicts, but I'm not re-branding.

How long did it take to decide?

About 2 Hours

Have you ever changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?

Yep, I put an 'S' on the end of 'Disco' :D

Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?

I have had quite a few clients mention it, saying that it is nice and simple and stands out.

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?

Nope, I nearly had a stage name given when I played 'Queen - Don't Stop Me Now' Live on stage on my guitar (with a band as well. not just me :D), but everyone decided not to. :D

[PropellerHeadCase]

How did you choose your name?

While on holiday in guernsey , I saw a stunning sunset over the beach at low tide , A very deep red sunset the name just came to me ,Crimson tide disco .
Daryll

The only unfortunate thing, really, is that Crimson Tide is sometimes used as a euphemism for the female period (and was in fact the first thing my wife said when she saw the name when I was posting once). :eek:


How did you choose your name?
DJ Alan Duval - It's my name - I thought I might try and wear it out.


How long did it take to decide?
Not long at all, especially after several people here had said they thought it was my stage name rather than my actual name :D


Have you ever changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?
Yes, I started out as The Music Man as a bit of a joke because when people don't know your name but they know you're the DJ will either call you The Music Man or Mr DJ or other, far less-polite things :(

I still use The Music Man as a part of my branding, but took up my name as the business name as I am slowly bringing out packages that cater to the more "adult"/serious music fan, like my Jazz package which is soft-launched already, and references to a certain song by Black Lace are best avoided.


Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?

No negative, not for my name, nor for The Music Man.


Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?

Nope, just me.

[DJ INDIE]

How did you choose your name?

Complete accident - I was doing my website and needed a DJ company name, so I did advertising (on websites) and my own website all at once with the intention of changng the name in a few days when Id thought of a decent one - I quickly wrote down the first thing I saw (a sparkling disco ball) and temporarily put the name as "Sparkling Discos" only I couldnt change the name in the end because within 4 days I'd took 3 gigs and the name stuck! doh!!


How long did it take to decide?

2 seconds


Have you ever changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?

No, Ive put too much effort in to change it now


Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?

No. Only from myself, friends and colleagues who laugh at it! - The worst one was "Sparkly Discos" pronounced in a sarky voice!


Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?

No, i hide under the company name, and I'm just 'Andy' from Sparkling Discos.

[Jonny Boy]

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why

Some people call the the joker. Other people, they call me Mau-rice. Not really.


Have just realized this make NO sense to anyone except the little voices in my head.

It appears have mixed up my Steve Miller songs :bang:

I meant to write something more like:
Some people call the the space cowboy - some call me the ganster of love. Some people, they call me Mau-rice"

Seee? Gettit?

No: still not that funny is it?! :shrug: :coat:

[DJ INDIE]

ha ha, i'd like to see someone ring up and ask to book 'The Gangster of Love!!"

thatd be a class name that would!! :)

[PropellerHeadCase]

Whatsisname Lovemonger?

[Twinspin]

When i started out doing discos i had a Citronic Avon twin record deck that i bought from the local paper and the Name Twinspin comes from the idea of a dj with this two record decks spinning the tunes.

but tempted to change my name to my own name.

[JTRS]

How did you choose your name?
I've always believed if you have a memorable name people will remember you

How long did it take to decide?
All of 45 seconds (but I did make a coffee as well in that time)

Have you ever changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?
No

Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?
A few negative comments from other DJ's but ignored them because if all they can criticise is my name without actually knowing me or seeing me then their opinion isn't worth anything

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?
Nope, what you see is what you get

JTRS

[Dynamic Entertainment]

So where does JoinToReadSucks come from then? Just out of interest :)

[rob1963]

So where does JoinToReadSucks come from then? Just out of interest :)

I'd also like to know.

I always assumed "Join To Read" was some kind of publication, possibly an online one, which he didn't like, hence the addition of the word sucks at the end.

:shrug:

[Vectis]

If memory serves me correctly, JTRS started posting here very shortly after the sign-on rules were changed fairly recently. Presumably he'd been a reader prior to the change and the name choice was a poke at the establishment? :p

Or I could be totally wrong, which wouldn't be the first time :D

[Paul The Party Dj]

How did you choose your name?
About 12 years ago I wanted a web-based business name on a .co.uk account. The Party DJ was available.

How long did it take to decide?
A couple of days

Have you every changed the name, and why? What was it originally in that case?
When I started out with two mates in the early 70's we called ourselves Night Sounds - one of my mates had the surname Knight.
When he left we went with 5776 Roadshow - we were born in 1957 and it was then 1976!
I then went solo and took my mum's maiden name Layton and poshed it up to become Paul Leighton. This was because my actual surname is very ordinary and DJ's had more exotic/elegant names back then.
When I worked for Superbowl in the late 90's the area manager decided that Johnny Rocket would be a great name/brand for the DJ's. As a promotion stunt I was one of their DJ's who stood in the 1997 General Election as Paul, Johnny Rocket, Taylor for the Go Bowling party! No, I didn't come last.

Have you had positive/negative comments about the name from (potential) clients / other businesses - and what was your response to this?
Not really.

Do you go by more than one "stage name" and why?
These days I just call myself Paul the Party DJ and occasionally Paul Leighton. Every now and then I get "Hey, aren't you Johnny Rocket?" !

[JTRS]

If memory serves me correctly, JTRS started posting here very shortly after the sign-on rules were changed fairly recently. Presumably he'd been a reader prior to the change and the name choice was a poke at the establishment? :p

Or I could be totally wrong, which wouldn't be the first time :D

I like messing around with words and anagrams, I wanted a screen name that would incorporate my initials and the words Disco UK.

JTRS

[PropellerHeadCase]

Jon Stear Disco UK?

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Jon Stear Disco UK?

Except his names Simon Towns :D

[rob1963]

I like messing around with words and anagrams, I wanted a screen name that would incorporate my initials and the words Disco UK.

JTRS


Jon Stear Disco UK?


Except his names Simon Towns :D

:rofl:

[A1DL]

If I were a betting man, my money would be firmly behind Martin's interpretation of things.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If I were a betting man, my money would be firmly behind Martin's interpretation of things.

Yes and so would I, but some people are so insistent that what they are saying is true. ;)

[JTRS]

Yes and so would I, but some people are so insistent that what they are saying is true. ;)

Hey you're free to think what you want, when I said it was an anagram of my initials what I meant was my initials, as opposed to my name. Sorry if using three syllabled words is too complicated for anyone

JTRS

[Dynamic Entertainment]

So Simon Towns is obviously the S(ucks) and T(o). Whats the J and R? Youve got me interested now :)

[JTRS]

So Simon Towns is obviously the S(ucks) and T(o). Whats the J and R? Youve got me interested now :)

It's not really that complicated

My full initials are SJT and when I decided to start up as a DJ the first thought I had for a trading name was already taken, infact my first few ideas for names were already in use so I settled on SJT Disco UK.

When I joined this site I wanted a screen name that wasn't run of the mill so I played around with the letters trying to get an anagram, but I couldn't, so I added a few more letters and came up with Join To Read Sucks. I thought it was amusing, so I joined under that name.

JTRS

[PropellerHeadCase]

Amusing also that the name does include Disco UK. For the record I didn't check JTRS's real name or company name or whether there was more than one person involved in said comany.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Makes sense now. :)

[JTRS]

Makes sense now. :)

Without adding letters the best I could come up with was Stuck So I DJ but that wasn't catchy or amusing, then the word Sucks jumped out and I worked backwards from that and added letters where needed.

JTRS

[Jiggles]

It also went well with the forum change when you joined where you had to register to read the full forum. :D