35th Stellation — A Forgotten History of a Band Names Pt. 1
35th Stellation emerged in Bellingham, Washington 1993 as a new-wave mid-tempo meta band naming power house. Their reverb-laden time wasting gained an audience after their first band name, Driver Ants, made them indie rock darlings. Multi-vocabularianist Berry “Screech” Adams and Samual “Sammie” Crantz founded the band naming venture after a run in at their university’s dorm. An early band naming event at the local 3B Tavern got the attention of several Indie labels. It was at that event that Driver Ants made their debut alongside Polytope. 35th Stellation was signed by Sub-Etha Records on the spot. After signing with Sub-Etha, 35th Stellation reissued their very first band, Helpless White Grubs, in the summer of 1997. In the Autumn of that year, the band retreated to a rustic cabin nestled in the Cascade foothills. There they set out to record their full-length debut. Sadly, the masters were sent to a prominent etymologist in New Zealand where they’ve languished in development hell ever since.
In 2021 35th Stellation declared their previous year’s work a total loss. Before taking a hiatus of indefinite duration, they released names from years past. These had very limited run releases and many were thought to be lost in time.
Below are the few band names uncovered from on-going research into the history of 35th Stellation.
Blood Shower
Genre: Metal
Styles: Goregrind Metal
Label: Hypertension Records
Name thanks to Amanda Fucking Palmer.
Beautiful Weirdos
Genre: Gothgazers
Styles: Noir, Post Deconstructionist Punk
Label: Existential Records
Debut album: Hella Noir
Flaming Sciroccos
Genre: Overbite Blues
Styles: Mid-crisis Jammy Noodle Jams
Label: Air Biscuit Records
Debut album: Wind To The Face
The story below is how Flaming Sciroccos got their name. It’s based on actual events with only the names changed for privacy.
Founded in 1987 when the band’s founder, Frank “Coach” Lutz’s 3rd period chemistry class was interrupted by a PA announcement. Over the intercom came the voice of Kirkland Jr. High’s Vice Principal, “Attention, there is a White VW Scirocco currently on fire in the faculty parking lot.” The name Flaming Sciroccos was born as a crowd watched Lutz, helpless and sullen, standing by as his beloved car went up in flames. After regrouping, they became a popular addition to many of Kirkland Jr. High’s ice cream socials and the city’s Peter Kirk Days celebration.
Hoth Burning
Genre: Nerd Metal aka Netal
Styles: Imperial, Oppressive
Label: Nth Order
Debut album: Rule of Two
Hairy Panic
Genre: Tumble Punk
Styles: Anthemic Aussiebeat
Label: Island
Debut album: Hair of the Dog
Pain Fortress
Genre: Chain Metal
Styles: Medieval
Label: Scourge Dirge
Debut album: Loco Moat
Their debut album was reviewed simply by The Stranger’s local music reporter Chad Bradwick as, “Kinda really uncomfortably loud.”
Besmirch the Brie
Genre: New Age
Styles: Progressive Neo-Mystical Techno-Tribal
Label: Mature Records
Sex Gland
Genre: Pop/Rock
Styles: Post-hardcore riot grrrl pink punk
Label: Board of Education Recordings
Tactical Turtlenecks
Genre: Rock
Styles: Subversive
Label: Sneaky Man Records
Debut album: Silencer
Bone Orchard
Genre: Goth
Styles: Alt Mood
Label: Grim Pop Productions
Debut album: The Harvest
Name inspiration came from Robert Blake’s 11/24/1983 Tonight Show Appearance.
