The Name Game

"our name is our music"

Call it tradition or a curse but for some reason, it's always hard to find a name for a band. A band's name; as it's traditional purpose is needed to create an identity for the group and for the public to identify them. As generations have passed, band names were simple then became complicated. Over the years, we have heard various band names that are catchy, plain and easy. As time went on, names started to get complex, hard to read and were in foreign languages already. The world would always follow a fad if there's a new trend that is being set and as band names were soon becoming tools of marketing, the more bands tried to create names that nearly sounded like brands or corporate companies. Completely pointless if you look at it but to be able to define a band is more than just names, its a combination of things. In choosing a band's name, it has to basically give the public an idea or a clue of how the band would sound like. International bands from all over the globe have been successful in doing so by associating their music with their names although sometimes the case may not be always like this. There is no real secret in finding a good name for a band. The best way to do it however is to make a list of ideas from every member and then discuss it as a group. Make sure the name feels comfortable and does justice to what kind of music you play.

Cambojam had a long list of names before they settled with their current identity. Truth be told, the band was actually known as Jessie and the Singing Tree Band (to show their appreciation to the place where they all met) in the beginning then eventually evolved into FOURPlay then later on found out that this name was already in use and it was quite hard for them to tell their name to minors so immediately, the band had to replace their name to avoid any confusion whatsoever. The band had various ideas from one another and the list was long and hilarious to be exact. Six Stringed Samurai, Bar Street Acoustics, After Work, Tits Ahoy, Cocks and Rubbers to name a few. Some were good, but most of them were vulgar in a comedic way. So the search continued until it all came down one morning when everyone decided to try out and go for the name CAMBOJAM. The name itself is self explanatory. They are a group of expats currently residing in CAMBOdia and they formed a group to be able to JAM with one another. It's not a fancy name but it works. Local people thought they we're called CAMBODIANS but it just has the same ring to it. Pretty much this is the history of the band's name and how it is connected with their music. Their mission is to jam and create music with other musicians and interpret songs with their own arrangements. How do they sound like? Try to watch them live.