Stylistics routledge English Language Introductions

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STYLE AND VERBAL PLAY
In this light-hearted article from 1992, Katie Wales explores the stylistic strategies
pop and rock musicians use when they name their bands. Wales uncovers an array
of naming practices, which, even in this relatively narrow sphere of discourse activity,
illustrates again how stylistic creativity can work simultaneously on a number of levels
of language.
Zodiac mindwarp meets the horseflies
Katie Wales
(reprinted from 
English Today
, 29, January 1992, 50–1)
The world of popular music is all too easily branded as bland by those who dislike
it: ‘a sameness’ that results from its blend of technological reproduction and appeal
to mass consumption. However, the 
Music Master
database of 1990 lists over 69,000
singles released since the 1950s, and is fascinating reading. What impresses is not
only the sheer variety of the recordings, but also the linguistic creativity of the
performers: in the names they give themselves. Any readers of 
English Today
thinking
of launching out on a career in the pop industry will find naming their groups a
daunting task, unless they follow certain trends.
The safest line is to choose a popular modifier, like 
Big
, 
Beat
, 
Bad
, 
Hot
, 
New
, 
Red
,
Blue
, 
Little
and 
Sweet
. But is this enough to grab the attention of the DJs and your
audience? For those who think pop music is a meaningless, repetitive noise, then
clearly names like 
A-ha
, 
Buppi Buppi K
, 
Blam Blam
, 
Kajagoogoo
, 
Oingo Boingo
, 
Slam
Slam
, 
Ya Ya
and 
Zaga Zaga
might appeal. Actually, such sound-play forms are quite
rare. You might do better by punning: at least you will raise a smile: 
Acid Reign
, 
Terry Dactyl
, 
Idol Rich
, 
Split Enz
, 
Well Red
, 
Hear ‘N’ Aid
, for example. For those who
think pop music sounds like the cries and noise of wild animals, it will be no surprise
to learn that animal names are much more popular: 
Animals
, 
Balham Alligators
, 
Bats
, 
Big Pig
, 
Boomtown Rats
, 
Budgie
, 
Cheetahs
, 
Crickets
, 
Dalmations
, 
Elephant Talk
,
Frogs
, 
Horseflies
, 
Lions
, 
Monkees
, 
Piranhas
, 
Reptiles
, 
Sharks in Italy
, 
Stingrays
, 
Vipers
,
Wolfhounds
, 
Zebras
, etc. But perhaps because pop music is to a lot of people’s 
taste, quite a number of names are quite tasty and mouth-watering: 
Applejacks
,
Bananarama
, 
Bread
, 
Blancmange
, 
Bucks Fizz
, 
Candy
, 
Coconuts
, 
Famous Potatoes
,
Finest Ingredients
, 
Golden Syrup
, 
Hot Chocolate
, 
Scrambled Eggs
, 
Sugar Cubes
,
Tangerine
, 
Vanilla Ice
, 
Wobbly Jellies
,