"Louder Than Bombs" Cryptic Band Names Quiz

Answer: Finger Eleven

When they formed in Burlington, Ontario in 1994, Finger Eleven were known as Rainbow Butt Monkeys. They recorded the 1995 album "Letters From Chutney" under that name, but became Finger Eleven just before the release of their 1997 breakthrough album "Tip".

The name Finger Eleven was inspired by their song "Thin Spirits"- Singer Scott Anderson said the message behind the lyrics (when everything is pushing you in one direction, but you want to go another way) is what he calls "Finger Eleven".

Answer: Joy Division

Forming in 1976 in Salford Greater Manchester, Joy Division were considered pioneers in the later phases of the 70s Punk scene. Before their first American Tour was about to begin, Singer Ian Curtis committed suicide in May of 1980. The remaining members would go on to form the band "New Order".

Answer: Matchbox Twenty

To pair-up is to match things, box can be a verb to fight (as in boxing) and a score is a word meaning twenty ("three score years and ten"). Matchbox Twenty (originally Matchbox 20) are an American band from Orlando, Florida. They have had massive international success with their albums "Yourself Or Someone Like You", "Mad Season" and "More Than You Think You Are" having combined world-wide sales approaching 40 million copies. Lead singer Rob Thomas has had several solo projects, most notably combining with Carlos Santana on the hit single "Smooth" in 1999.

Answer: Gene Loves Jezebel

Gene Loves Jezebel formed in Porthcawl, South Wales in 1980. Catchy Guitar laden hooks and ethereal vocals gave Gene Loves Jezebel a cult-like following in the infant gothic scene of the early nineties.

Answer: Def Leppard

One of the 80s biggest selling Heavy Metal acts, Def Leppard scored major success with their albums "Pyromania" released in 1983 and "Hysteria" released in 1987.

Answer: King Crimson

Since their debut album "In The Court Of The Crimson King" released in 1969, King Crimson have blended styles of Jazz, Metal, Classical and Psychedelic. Through the years King Crimson has continued to record and tour with one line-up or another. Founding Guitar player Robert Fripp has remained the band's only constant with over nineteen members in the last thirty-seven years.

Answer: Bowling For Soup

A googly is a specific type of delivery which is bowled in cricket, cockaleekie is a type of soup originally from Scotland. Bowling For Soup is a band from Wichita Falls in Texas, USA. They often perform songs with a satirical or humorous lyric. "1985" was a big hit for them in 2004.

Their best known song to date is probably "Girls All The Bad Guys Want" which was a big chart success in 2002 on both sides of the Atlantic.

Answer: Wall Of Voodoo

Wall Of Voodoo formed in 1977 in Los Angeles, California. It was not until their 1982 release "Call Of The West" that gave the New Wave scene a dance hit called "Mexican Radio." The video was played a great number of times on a new network called MTV.

Answer: Blue Oyster Cult

Blue Oyster Cult scored their biggest hit with "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" from their album "Agents Of Fortune" released in 1976. It would peak at number 12 on the USA Hot 100.

Answer: Weezer

Weezer was formed by Rivers Cuomo, Patrick Wilson, Matt Sharp, and Jason Cropper in Los Angeles in 1992. Their first gig was in a bar on Hollywood Blvd, opening for Keanu Reeve's band Dogstar. The band released three albums- "Weezer"(1993) a.k.a "The Blue Album", "Songs From The Black Hole" (1995) and "Pinkerton"(1996).

They returned to recording in 2001 and came out with "Weezer"(2001) a.k.a "The Green Album", "Maladroit"(2002), and Make Believe"(2005).

Answer: Alice Cooper

Dubbed the godfather of "Shock Rock" Alice Cooper's blood-spattered stage shows would go on to inspire bands like Kiss, and Marilyn Manson. Cooper's biggest commercial success was the hit "Schools Out" released in 1972. Alice Cooper still tours and hosts a popular radio show called "Nights with Alice Cooper."

Answer: Tears For Fears

The lacrimal gland produces tears in humans and other animals. A phobia is an extreme and irrational fear of something. Tears For Fears are an English band formed by Roland Orzabel and Curt Smith. One of their biggest hits was "Mad World" which reached number three in the UK in 1982 but failed to chart in the US. Gary Jules covered the song and scored a UK Christmas number one with his version in 2004.

Answer: Coldplay

Coldplay was formed in London in 1996. The success of the single "Yellow" released in 2000 introduced the band to the world. Since then they have had numerous hits including the 2003 Grammy Award winning single "Clocks."

Answer: Alice In Chains

Alongside Seattle Heavy-weights Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains embraced the darker sound of the Grunge scene. Sadly, singer Layne Staley was found dead of a heroin overdose in April of 2002.

Answer: Barenaked Ladies

Barenaked Ladies began as just a duo comprised of Ed Robertson and Steven Page in Scarborough, Ontario in 1988. The name Barenaked Ladies was a random off-the-top-of-his-head selection by Ed Robertson when he signed up for a battle of the bands competition and was asked for his band's name.

They became a full band in 1990 with the addition of brothers Jim and Andy Creeggan, and over the years they added Kevin Hearn and Tyler Stewart as well.