Designing The Band: Prologue
June 03, 2004 | 
50 Comments
Are you ready to get started with this little design project? I am. I think it’ll be a fun one, and hopefully very educational for everyone as well. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about you can get a little background from last week’s post.
To kick this off I’m going to explain a bit about how this will work and how I plan on moving forward. I want to make sure we’re all on the same page before we get into the “meat” of the project.
So, let’s get started!
What is the purpose of this project?
- To illustrate how a music band site can be very cool as well as usable and built with Web standards.
- To let my readers get a glimpse into my design process, as well as offer feedback and ask questions along the way.
How will it work?
- We’ll start of creating a back-story. What we’ll need to do is create a “persona” of sorts for the band. We’ll give them a name, a face and an identity.
- Once I’ve decided, with your help, on the back-story and basic elements of the band, we’ll outline some very basic goals for the Web site I’ll be designing and we’ll set a rough timeline.
- Once we’ve got the project outlined I’ll begin. I’ll post once a week and talk about what was done in the previous week. At this point people will be able to comment, ask questions, give direction or feedback. In some ways my readers will represent the band, but I’ll have final say (much as if I’m role-playing the lead singer, or manager) so that I can keep the project moving.
- When the project is completed I’ll post the final deliverable (which will most likely be a one-page, home-page design) and we’ll do a post-mortem to talk about the site, the lessons learned, etc.
- I’m going to keep track of my time (work wise, not posting, etc.) and at the end I’ll take what I’ve done and estimate how much longer it would take to actually complete the site, as well as how much it would cost (based on an hourly of $100 — for simplicity) and share those numbers. I hope to show some ROI figures with this project.
How will the posts be structured?
- I’m going to do this in loose “chapter” format. Each post will be a chapter documenting the process and offering a chance for all of you to chime in and shape how it goes.
- I’m hoping to keep this to five chapters, once a week on Thursday, beginning next week.
- Each chapter will have an intro, a recap of what I did on the project the last week (this will be the “meat” of the chapter), and a section talking about next steps.
- As much of the value in this will come from the comments I encourage everyone to get involved, ask questions and share your opinions.
A few things to note.
- This is about Web design process. I’ll be concentrating on the actual design process and not on all of the client / designer interaction stuff. I may touch on that, but I really want to stick to the creative process as much as possible.
- I plan on trying to move this forward every week, but I can’t commit to a hard timeline. Bear with me if I slip. I really will do my best not to.
- I don’t plan on spending much money on this, so any images I use will either be free stock, cheap stock or taken by me.
- Honest, constructive feedback, questions and most comments are welcomed. Try to derail the project or get too nasty and you’re outta there.
- In the end I’ll make any decisions.
- This isn’t a real project, nor is it really meant to be. Having said that I’ll do my best to talk about where we deviate from reality in an honest way.
- This is supposed to be educational and very fun, try to keep that in mind! ;)
Ok, now that all of that is out of the way, let’s get going.
Next Steps: The back-story!
Time to get creative.
What we need to do now is create a back-story. What is the name of the band? What are the members like? What kind of music are we talking about?
This will help determine the goals we set, to a point, as well as they style of the site. What I’m looking for is a short description of this fictional band to start with. We don’t need to get to far into details, just a general overview to get us started.
Post your comments and ideas here. We’ll talk about it and I’ll take all the comments away and come up with a back-story and band persona that we can use to help visualize this band. I’ll post that, along with instructions for Chapter One of the project next Thursday.
Filed under: Design Project
Comments
1. Sam said:
I stumbled upon this today… perhaps its just what what you’re looking for (maybe not)
Posted on June 3, 2004 05:29 PM | #
2. Keith said:
Sam – No, I would rather not work with a real band on this project. Maybe some future venture, but this is just for illustrative purposes. Working with a real band could easily throw the project off schedule. Thanks for the tip though.
Posted on June 3, 2004 05:33 PM | #
3. John Magnus said:
Hi Keith! Cool idea for a project - I’ll be following it closely!…
Anyway; I suggest you do this project for a hard-rock/metal band of some sort. The reason; this seem to be the type of bands with the ugliest and least usable sites (IMHO). Let’s call ‘em “The Cementheads”…
The Cementheads are not your stereotypic hard-rock band with focus on cheap beer and cheap women. They simply grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, the Pixies etc; they simply couldn’t live without the music…
Posted on June 3, 2004 06:18 PM | #
4. Ste Grainer said:
I’ve always been a fan of the band name, Cheese-Eating Surrender-Monkeys. But perhaps that’s a trademark of Monty Python. :)
Posted on June 3, 2004 06:24 PM | #
5. Liz said:
The Tattooed Grapefruits are a San Francisco garage band experimenting with the oh-so-psychedelic sounds of the theremin while forgetting that it’s not still 1965…
This is the world’s greatest project idea I’ve ever heard. Fun on so many levels!
Posted on June 3, 2004 06:44 PM | #
6. seth said:
Some of the band names on Jason Santa Maria’s site are pretty sweet. My two favorites are Poo Manchu and Loose StoolPigeons (yes, I’m a fan of 3rd grade fecal humor).
While Loose StoolPigeons is clearly an up-and-coming Canadian punk band, I feel that Poo Manchu is perfect for a UK-based solo rapper with political overtones.
Posted on June 3, 2004 07:00 PM | #
7. Craig C. said:
“Cheese-Eating Surrender-Monkeys” isn’t Python, it’s Simpsons. When Groundskeeper Willie was substitute teaching French class, “Bonjourrrrrr, ye cheese-eatin’ surrender-monkeys!”
I think the name of this fictional band should be somehow referential to the nature of the project. “The Standards” would be a good punk band, “Validator” for metal, “Style Cascade” for a jazz trio, “element:pseudoclass” could be a trance dj… the possibilities are endless.
“Separation of Content”
“Child Selector”
“Two Column Layout”
“Box Model Hack”
etc etc etc…
Posted on June 3, 2004 08:58 PM | #
8. Mark said:
A few years ago I came up with what I think would be the greatest band name ever: The Run-Amokers.
With a name like that, I envision either hardcore punk or really upbeat ska. Don’t make fun - ska can still be cool. :)
Posted on June 3, 2004 09:42 PM | #
9. Sean said:
The Contraband Cargos are a motley crew of friends that go way back to banging plastic forks on their black lunchtrays. The evolution of their music has been primarily percussion, but they picked up Steve Thorson, an up and coming lead guitarist and are ready to explore other conduits of music. Attempting to reinvent themselves as an emo-band, they are using this website as their announcement to the world.
Jake Stout, Tammy Batch, Greg Reele, and Steve are leaving the design up to you because they are more concerned with studio time than HTML jockeying (their words, not mine).
Posted on June 3, 2004 09:46 PM | #
10. Ty said:
Hi, first time poster, long time lurker. I think this is a sweet idea and I’ve got a great idea for a band.
Imagine an all girl band, like The Donnas or Sleater Kinney. Except they’re a goth band. Or semi-goth, like Evanesence, but a bit more…mature. And less “pop”.
They’d have twin sisters up front, maybe a four piece. Two guitar, one drum and a synth. Maybe they could be a bit industrial. I’m thinking old Xymox style. Maybe have a lighter side too.
Think Shakespear’s Sister of Goth Rock.
They could be called “Midnight Butterfly” or something like that. How about, “The Midnights?”
Anyway, I think this could make for a very cool design that you could really get creative with….I’m looking forward to it no matter what it looks like.
Posted on June 3, 2004 10:33 PM | #
11. Rune said:
I suggest somekind of a soft-rock band. Like my favorites, Maroon 5. They even have a pretty-looking website anyway.
If you haven’t heard any of their songs, you can get her some of their songs on the site.
Posted on June 3, 2004 10:39 PM | #
12. Tim Uruski said:
A local 3-man band called Spent. Just pulled out of the garage and got a good gig playing a few of the local clubs on the weekends. Nothing too special, but they have a tight, rootsy sound and the drummer plays with his hands.
Oh and they also have an arch rival during Battle of the Bands.
Zoetrope is a 4-group, who, also, recently left the garage and are touring around. They are brash and edgy, but can really rip up the stage. The lead vocals and bass player are brothers and have been playing together since the age of seven.
Posted on June 3, 2004 11:03 PM | #
13. John Y. said:
Back in college, anytime we needed a name for a fake band, we used “Three if by Dog.” At random points in time, the lead singer was actually a dog (yeah, we had backstory and everything)
Might be kinda cool to use the name. Would be silly in either direction.
Posted on June 3, 2004 11:03 PM | #
14. Kain said:
Here is another xhtml+css re-design of Finnish semi-famous ug-band Kuollut Etana. It is all in Finnish so you don’t probably understand a word. But I thought maybe you want to check it out. Rock and web-standards mix well together and your “designing the band” idea is marvellous. My proposition for band name: Evil Kügl.
Posted on June 3, 2004 11:32 PM | #
15. Phoat said:
I love Craig’s idea of element:pseudoclass. Not for a trance dj tho.
element:pseudoclass is an alternative rock band inspired by the Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Jamiroquoi, Sublime (remember them?) and Tarantino films. They successfully combine the best elements of all music genres to create a fresh and unique sound that is easily identifiable.
The 5 band memebers, Fred (vocals/guitar), Daphne (keyboard), Velma (bass), Shaggy (drums), and Scoobs (guitar), went their seperate ways 6 years ago to persue various personal projects.
They had a few very popular local hits including “Mystery Machine” and “Scrappy Doo.”
They are back together now and need a website to promote their band and offer info and music samples to their fans.
Posted on June 4, 2004 12:42 AM | #
16. Jason Marble said:
“Designing The Band” This is gonna be sweet.
Here’s a little idea for the back story. I think we should keep it a 3-4 man band for the sake of some simplicity, maybe. With that in mind here it is:
It’s been years since John Creeder, Ken Bronsen , and Joshua James have set scene on stage. April 26th of last year sparked a new beginning for an old group of friends. The three formerly know as “The Love Sticks” have come back in a new way. They’ve got a new name and a new sound that’s rocking streets everywhere. “Second Look” (or maybe “Second Take”) is the new name. Their music is born from the old school classic rock roots, but it certainly doesn’t sound like something your parents would listen to.
John Creeder (guitar and lead vocals), was the one who called Ken Bronsen (drums) and Joshua James (base and vocals) back into the studio for another shot. Back in the seventies, riddled from drugs, the band broke up just as quickly as their early fame came. Now after years of rehabilitation, the band is setting stage once again.
Their new single fresh from the studio is titled “come again”. The single serves up some fresh new age rock with a definite old school kick. Watch out Simple Plan. Watch out New Found Glory. Watch out Hoobastank. Second Look is sure to top the charts while making everyone else look a little less than Jake.
— I kinda just pulled the names out of the air without too much thought. I’m sure there’s a better name than “Second Look” but I guess it works for the story.
Hope it’s liked.
Posted on June 4, 2004 12:46 AM | #
17. Dave said:
Just an idea for some more backstory… The band (whichever name) has been kicking around for years on an indie label (maybe “Shout Loud Records”) until last year when they landed a semi-large hit (perhaps “Blast Past You”) on college/alternative radio stations. This sudden swell of popularity caught the attention of the major labels. This site will be launched with the release of their first major label recording.
Just my 2 cents.
Posted on June 4, 2004 01:30 AM | #
18. Rich said:
Badly Parsed XML would be my choice
Either a renegade bunch of beatniks that refuse to accept the 60’s are over.
Or alternatively a Zeldman/Badly Drawn boy hybrid maverick singer songwriter in a quasi folk/eclectic/electronic style.
Posted on June 4, 2004 02:12 AM | #
19. Jason Santa Maria said:
As fun as a CSS of markup themed/named band would be, I think it’s kinda limiting. It also makes it seem less serious. It’s also easy to say let’s go with a metal band or punk band (knowing that some of your tastes drift that way), but what if you used this as an opportunity to also broaden your music knowledge (maybe) and try a genre not as immediately accessible (to make the design also a fun challenge). Here’s an example:
Red Kramer is a 45 year old blues guitarist with the soulful ire of B.B King and the tenacity of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Even though Red Kramer has become a household name, he remains one of the greatest acts that almost wasn’t. Red got his start in the late 70s working for Columbia Records as a soundboard technician. Johnny Cash discovered him tuning up the band’s instruments one day and knew immediately he was something incredible. He was even quoted as saying “this kid’s guitar could bring a strong man to tears”. Cash asked Kramer to play back-ups on his track “Listen to Me” (which was cut from the final album due to length). Kramer had a taste for it now. Cash felt bad about the cut song and pulled some ears. Kramer started opening a few shows for Cash and the rest is history. Kramer’s wife died in a car accident 5 years ago sending him into a flurry of relentless tour dates. In the past few years his musical tastes have diversified, finding him in collaborations with bands such as the Meat Puppets and even Ani DiFranco. Fans know he is good to see with a back-up band (The Bullies) but even better to see alone on stage in a small intimate club.
Posted on June 4, 2004 04:37 AM | #
20. Daryl said:
I totally dig Craig’s idea of a standards-relevant band name, though Jason Santa Maria’s concern about its limitations may be valid. Hmmm, maybe something like “float: left” or “Transitional” or “Unordered List” (with apologies to the author of the “Ordered List” blog).
I like the idea of an unexpected music genre on the Web. Blues would be good, as JSM suggested, though I like the idea of something really alien like folk music. You expect rap artists and rock bands to have snazzy Web sites, but not these more marginal guys. It’s also easier (I would imagine) to represent these more mainstream genres – put some pimps and hos or motorcycles and guitars on the screen and you’ve got a rap or metal Web site. But what do you do for a folk band that doesn’t look like the cover of the Grape Nuts box?
Then again, the fact that the sort of Web sites these mainstream types would have seems so obvious might be a good reason to choose one of them instead, as an opportunity to break from the norm and do something new.
Posted on June 4, 2004 05:24 AM | #
21. iflynn said:
Another first time poster and avid lurker. Here is my contribution of a fictional band and part of the back story:
Pez Monkeys from Hell - an east coast indie group that’s been playing together for a few years. With their highly energetic alt/rock sound they’re starting to get noticed and gather a broader following. Heh - I actually love this graphic which could be used to create the cover art for their first CD
(graphic courtesy of the Ace of Pez)
Posted on June 4, 2004 05:42 AM | #
22. Lars Holst said:
I like this idea, and the band names CraigC suggested are great. I agree with Jason that it should be more serious though. Here’s how I reasoned:
The type of music should appeal to as many people as possible, to really sell the idea to as wide an audience as possible, and visual design and copy should reflect this.
With this in mind, I don’t think metal/trash/grunge/hiphop bands would be the best choice because of the stylistic limitations they would impose.
I like what Jason came up with, except for the name, “Red Kramer”. I can’t help thinking of Seinfeld.
Wouldn’t this be an opportunity to promote a minority, with or without some form of message?
For example, I’ve always thought it’d be interesting to fuse native american music with american folk rock and country and western ().
There could even be an environmental message mixed in somewhere, such as what Chief Oren Lyons has been trying to bring attention to (see e.g. his speech to the United Nations). It’s an interesting perspective, and I can’t think of a more important message.
Throw in a Gretsch semi-acoustic, and I’m happy.
Posted on June 4, 2004 06:19 AM | #
23. Lars Holst said:
Oops, empty parenthesis was supposed to say “Emmylou Harris”.
Posted on June 4, 2004 06:27 AM | #
24. Keith said:
There are some great ideas in there!
A few things:
I don’t plan on using some corny Web geek name. It’d be too hard to work with and frankly I wan’t this to be somewhat real. AS JSM said, it’d be fun but kind of limiting. Keep in mind, I have to actually design and buld this.
I do like JSM’s idea, but I think I might struggle with that one. Again, I think we have to stay in the realm of something I know. As much as I’d like to “broaden my musical horizons” (which are pretty broad anyway) with this, I want to make sure I can do it.
Think about things like graphical elements, stock photos, etc. Will I be able to get those easily.
I think Lars makes some good points as to what I’m looking for. I want something do-able, but something that gives me some room to work.
So far the one I’m most interested in is Ty’s (#10) all girl Goth rock band. I think I could work well with that one.
Posted on June 4, 2004 07:26 AM | #
25. jake said:
This is a good idea, I cam imagine the site getting taken semi-seriously by the general public and creating interesting predicaments.
Right now I don’t have much of a back story, just some silly ideas. Like naming the band some odd foreign word that the average person wouldn’t understand. A name that means something like “portly sycophant” but the band members (all naive Americans) think it means, “Greater Destiny,” or something along those lines. :) I get a real kick out of people getting tatoos, etc. that mean something other than they think.
And being named Jake I always thought that band names like “Less than Jake” and “Better than Ezra” were humerous. Anyone remember that Norm Mcdonald bit on SNL where he gave out the top 5 bands on Billboard or something, with it something like, “2. Ezra - and #1. Better than Ezra.” Maybe name the band Ezra and create some backstory in relation to “Better than Ezra”
Just some ideas, I think it would be exceptionally fun to create a completely ludicrous band for the project. Can anyone say… “Spinal Tap” :)
Posted on June 4, 2004 07:43 AM | #
26. dickwood said:
I have always been partial to the band name shoppingcart catastrophe.
Posted on June 4, 2004 08:35 AM | #
27. Kyle said:
I like the Goth band idea a bit as well. But not something like Evanesence. How about making it a two piece vocal number with a “in the shadows” band. Keep the “sisters” thing, take some of what Lars said and make them a bit more folky or traditional.
That would fly.
Two sisters, kind of a Bauhaus meets Sarah Mclachlan thing with a Skinny Puppy message (save the animals) and a bit of a electo, 80’s comeback pop side? Maybe kind of like Afro Celt Soundsystem, but with a dark goth rock side?
Posted on June 4, 2004 08:46 AM | #
28. Scooter said:
Christian hardcore band - Bleached Monkey
Posted on June 4, 2004 09:44 AM | #
29. Kim Siever said:
My cousin and I had a pathetic little two-person band in the late 80s and early 90s. We started out air banding to GNR and Beastie Boys. We then went on to spoofing songs (like No Food Til Supper, a play on No Sleep Til Brooklyn). Then we started remaking songs (like O Canada).
Then we took a bit of a lap and started writing our own songs. I was on this big rap kick then, and so they were all rap songs. Later on, we developed into singing rock and roll, most long-haired-freaky-people kind of stuff.
Anyhow, our band name was ‘Creaky Staircase’.
It lends itself to so much imagery and even can describe a music genre. We just thought it was cool.
Posted on June 4, 2004 09:46 AM | #
30. Erik said:
I kind of like the idea of a folk rock singer (not necessarily a band). Someone similiar to Nick Drake. Depending on where you live this kind of 70s-esque, jazzy, breezy folk rock is either still dead or is making a comeback. Where I live, retro – even 70s retro – is in. (I especially love the VW commercial of the friends driving around at night in a convertible Bug listening to Drake’s “One of These Things First.” Wow…)
Continuing with the pseudo-Drake theme… Like Drake, this person could actually be no longer with us. The site could be a retrospective, a clearing house of information on the performer, etc. Perhaps (s)he died young, and only now – too late, unfortunately – is this person achieving fame. Since being posthumously discovered, folks have become entranced by the unique sound and the perfect match between the music, lyrics, and smoky English voice. Many try to deconstruct the gestalt of the music; the more they unravel its mysteries, the more obsessed they become. Bands all over try to emulate the sound to no avail. This person isn’t the human equivalent to a Stratavarius, but there are murmurs among some critics that would indicate the comparison is just around the corner. (S)he is dead, guaranteeing decades of debate over what makes “The Sound” work .
Besides lots of opportunities for some really cool retro design work, this back story encapsulates the rock and roll fantasy that many aspiring musicians that I know seem to share. Perhaps my friends are just weird.
Posted on June 4, 2004 10:20 AM | #
31. Craig C. said:
Oh, didn’t know this was meant to be taken seriously… I figured it would be an example project equivalent of “ABC Corporation” or “Widgets, Inc.” I have a natural tendency towards sarcasm (got in a bit of trouble at work recently for using the fake address “742 Evergreen Terrace” in a design instead of the more safely generic “123 Main St”… some people have no sense of humor). So if the project is meant to be a serious case study then by all means go with a serious band name. Though I still like “The Standards.” That one could mean anything. Hell, it’s probably been used.
As for genre, I’d actually kinda like to see a band in a cliche-ridden genre have a website that defies the cliches. It could be more of a design challenge to build a site for a metal band *without* using any chrome or lightning bolts.
Hmm… an all-girl goth band… a website covered with pink kittens just might be ironic enough to be goth.
Posted on June 4, 2004 10:24 AM | #
32. Keith said:
Pink kittens….haha…too funny. You know I think something like goth might be good. Those types of bands have horrible Web sites. A few people brought up Evanescence – their site is pretty damn bad and it’s probably the best of the lot.
I like the name “The Standard” but it’s a bit generic. It’s an idea though, I’ll think about that one.
I want to get as close as I can to a “real” situaltion as possible without getting “to real” – that’s why I want to avoid some things.
Any more ideas on this goth thing (I liked Kyle’s spin) or something new?
Maybe a folk/indie rock/goth/pop trio of classically trained musicians and vocalists? Enya meets Pretty Girls Make Graves meets New Order meets Sisters of Mercy? I could do that.
Posted on June 4, 2004 10:33 AM | #
33. Jason Santa Maria said:
I like that a lot Keith. Perhaps Breeders style with three front-women and a guy drummer.
The Standard is a Philly band already :D
A good place to check before posting a name is AMG.
Posted on June 4, 2004 11:21 AM | #
34. Philip said:
I like the all-girl goth band direction this is taking. As for names:
Sister Midnight
Midnight Sisters
Of course they have to be English (aren’t all the best goth bands from the UK?) and live in Camden, England where they used to run a stall in the market at the weekends!
Posted on June 4, 2004 11:28 AM | #
35. Josh said:
I say having a front woman with 3 or four men in her shadow. Maybe called “Sonja and the temptors”. Sonya (31) would have a soulful raspy voice rivaling that of etta james, with an attitude similar to that of fiona apple. the men of of the group fall more in the background but defintitely not in the sense of musicianship or dedication. They have a long standing reputation of a blues/jazz group, but have recently expanded their sound to include a more electric world-beat sound. Their new album is a complete leap for the group, but the sounds is unmistakeable. their new sound (electric jazz meets punked-out worldbeat) needs a new image. Not of clothes or attitude, but of a certain non-assuming style. What they need is a new website to portray their new sound.
Posted on June 4, 2004 12:40 PM | #
36. Jason Marble said:
There is definitely something sexy about a chick playing a guitar. So I thought I’d try to come up a couple names for a chick band, goth or whatever their genre might turn out to be.
The first I thought of was “Affinity”, but turns out more than a couple bands have used that name. So for the sake of something a little more original I pulled out the thesaurus and looked up “Standards”. The one synonym for “standards” that caught my eye was “beau ideal”. I thought it was interesting, and i think it would make for an interesting and original band name.
“Beau Ideal” is supposed to be the idea or concept of perfect beauty. I think it could resemble both the perfect beauty of CSS standards-based design, and the sexyness of the band itself.
Sexy hot chicks in a band with a user-centered, standards-based web design is definetly the beau ideal.
Posted on June 4, 2004 01:03 PM | #
37. Craig C. said:
“Beau Ideal” is an excellent name for a girl goth band. Indirectly referential to CSS and web standards. Foreign-sounding but not too baffling. Feminine but not teenie-girly. And most of all, slightly pretentious. A goth chick would love it.
There’s a somewhat fitting image at beauideal.com (already registered but it doesn’t seem like they’re doing much with it). After seeing that, we just *have* to work in a pink kitten somewhere…
Posted on June 4, 2004 01:26 PM | #
38. Keith said:
How about all one word – “Beauideal?”
Now we’re getting somewhere. I think I could really work with this.
Posted on June 4, 2004 01:46 PM | #
39. Lars said:
Josh (#35) had some interesting ideas, although I’d like to see a band that dresses well too, for a change :) Think the Sixties, uniforms and suits, or, more recently, The Hives.
I realize this is contrary to what I had in mind with my previous comments, but…
Goth? I used to be a huge fan of The Cure, at least up until Wish. There even was a Sisters of Mercy period. New Order remains one of my all time favorite bands. And Peter Saville’s covers! Yes, the mix you mentioned Keith (#36) could be interesting.
Guys or girls doesn’t matter though.
It would be interesting to continue focusing on the influences and the musical, cultural, and political environment of this fictive band, in the hope that (some of) the rest will follow.
Faking the process of how the band came about, not just the finished product.
Posted on June 4, 2004 01:56 PM | #
40. Jason Marble said:
One word for beau ideal would probly work. I think it might look better designed as one word. The name really does work on all levels. It’s definitely original, and I think it will lay out a tone for a really visually pleasing site.
We probably have enough ideas already to start putting together a background story. As for what type of music the girls play, anything I’m sure will work. I like rock; hard, punk, classic, alternative, soft, it’s all good.
Sometimes it takes a chic or even a band of chics to spark a movement or change. In this case, a little user-centered, standards-based web design for the music industry. ;)
Posted on June 4, 2004 03:21 PM | #
41. Patrick said:
Actually, “beau idéal” doesn’t really mean anything in french. “Beauté idéale” (ideal beauty) would be more like it or “Idéal de beauté”. In both expressions it’s not a general esthetical idea used for anything – in which case it would have worked for a band – it is specifically used for a woman’s looks which might sound pretentious for a girl band. Although if you manage to give it some irony with the design…
Posted on June 4, 2004 03:43 PM | #
42. Jason Marble said:
If you flipped “beau ideal” around so it read “ideal beau” it would actually mean the ideal boyfriend or dandy. Dictionary.com has some good definitions for “beau ideal”.
Craig- Here’s a pink kitten for ya. Well, actually it’s half girl half kitten, but it’s pink :)
Posted on June 4, 2004 04:28 PM | #
43. Patrick said:
Very interesting that it means nothing in french and yet two french words are used for an english combination found – and I guess used – in a dictionnary! Whodathunkit!
Posted on June 4, 2004 05:00 PM | #
44. Kevin Navia said:
I’d probably suggest a heavy metal/thrash metal type of band, but this time, i would go for a young upstart heavy blues/rock kind of a band.
Originally a four piece band, with twin guitarists (one male and one female) and both could sing lead vocals, and some guest keyboardists/musician will be sprinkled out on their record.
Posted on June 4, 2004 07:00 PM | #
45. e-null said:
I myself is a java developer. I mostly handles codes. So I have always wanted to see the creative process of a web design project goes.
I like most music genre. I see some people already coined some ideas on their fictional band:
#31 Craig , #34 Philip, #35 Josh
What I would really like from a band website is perhaps how the website design can accentuate the band music.
What makes evanescence stands out from the other band in the same genre as theirs. I feel it is because they have a very dark concept in their song, that add strength to their music. And I feel the website should translate this ‘strong dark’ music sytle into the web design, to get the band’s music accross to the user.
Take example to a softer side of the music realm. Let’s take the Corr’s. I really love their irish touch in the earlier albums. And I think it would be great if the website can make ‘Irish’ as the central theme of the Corr’s website.
Posted on June 5, 2004 10:27 AM | #
46. Junius Welch said:
It may not be relevant to anything, except that there are cries for a goth rock band and, of all things, Pink Kittens.
This American Life did a piece back in 1998 on seeing and being seen. Part one is about a gothic makeover (Could it be that NPR is responsible for the current makeover trend?).
The Episode (#118) details the concept of “The Pink of Goth”. Which you may find relevant, if not entertaining.
So if you’re interested, the section on becoming goth starts at 5:15. It’s 15 minutes long and is followed by They Might Be Giants’ “Shoehorn with Teeth”… so there’s that. If you want to jump directly to the pinkness issue, tune yourself to minute 13:30.
BTW: I vote yes on pink kittens and goth chicks.
Posted on June 5, 2004 10:56 AM | #
47. James Wheare said:
The Fertile Turtles are a down-and-going group from the English cotswolds. With an affinity to alternative rock and 70s funk, they claim to be a “mad fusion of Earth, Wind and Fire and Ben Folds Five.” Bassist Tarquin Manwaring adds “… and we’re gonna rock your turf!”
I look forward to hearing what these talented youngsters are capable of. They’ve certainly got CLASS, but I think they’re still searching for some ID. Time to dig out those lawn stabilisers!
Posted on June 8, 2004 12:16 PM | #
48. paul said:
my company, along with cuban council, just launched a band website that’s standards compliant without losing the “edge” of being punked out.
Posted on June 14, 2004 07:35 AM | #
49. xan said:
g’day. this is an awesome idea. im doing a similiar thing at school in english. designing a band. its called A box of brand new nothing. a 4piece with very diverse influences. from ac/dc to incubus to thebeatles to sex pistols to thrice. thats the direction anyway if that makes sense. ill be following this site closely from now on. im liking a lot of the ideas. cheers
Posted on September 1, 2004 05:59 PM | #
50. zoe said:
hey peoples…im a twin and i liek the whole band/goth thing it sounds really cool so um yeh if u want to leave your email addresses im sure i would love to hear more ideas so yeah i really wan tto start a band of my own so yeh please leave the emails and ill get bal to you…zoe
Posted on August 23, 2005 05:55 PM | #
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