What If Aerosmith Wasn’t Called Aerosmith? What Do You Think About These Alternative Aerosmith Band Names?

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In September 2023, Aerosmith embarks on their “Peace Out” final farewell tour, marking the end of a five-decade-long career. But what if they were never called Aerosmith? What alternative names could have fit this legendary band? Let’s explore the possibilities.

Alternative Aerosmith Band Names

What if the band Aerosmith was called something else? What name would they have chosen? Here are some alternative Aerosmith band names.

1. Toxic Twins: Aerosmith’s primary songwriting team of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry are already known as the “Toxic Twins.” What if they just used that as the name of the band?
2. Strangeurs (a previous name of Steven Tyler‘s band from Yonkers, New York)
3. Chain Reaction (a previous name of Steven Tyler’s band from Yonkers, New York)
4. Joe Perry’s Jam Band (a previous name of Joe Perry’s band in Boston)
5. The Boston Bad Boys (a nickname given to the band by the media)
6. The Boston Brawlers: Perhaps this name would be a better moniker for a roller derby team than a rock group.
7. The Sweet Emotions: Does this name sound more like an R&B band name, than a rock group? “Sweet Emotion” is one of Aerosmith’s biggest hits. The song wasn’t released until their third album “Toys in the Attic”, so it might not have been top of mind with the band until later in their career anyway.
8. Dream On: “Dream On” is a power ballad by Aerosmith from their 1973 debut album. Written by Steven Tyler, it became a classic rock staple and topped radio charts in Boston. Could it have also been their band name?
9. Mama Kin: One of the band’s first songs was “Mama Kin”. It could have been their name as well.
10. Beacon Street Band: When the band was first starting out in the early 1970s, they lived in an apartment on Beacon Street in Boston.
11. Thunderstruck: Paying tribute to Aerosmith’s electrifying performances, this name reflects their ability to leave fans awe-struck and craving more. Plus, if they started using “Thunderstruck” in 1970, it would have been a couple of decades before AC/DC released the song “Thunderstuck” in 1990.
12. Fox Chase (a previous name of the band Aerosmith): Fox Chase is a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where some of the band members lived when they were first starting out.
13. The Spike Jones (a previous name of the band Aerosmith): Spike Jones is a reference to the American bandleader and comedian whose unique style of music was a mix of jazz, swing, and novelty music.
14. The Young Guns (a nickname given to the band by their manager, David Krebs)
15. The Hookers (a previous name of the band Aerosmith): The Hookers is a bit of a tongue-in-cheek name, but it would have been a good fit for the band’s early, hard-rock sound.

Aerosmith Name Origin: Where Did The Name Aerosmith Come From?

When the band was just starting out, they all lived together at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue (see map). One day after getting high and watching Three Stooges reruns, they decided to brainstorm new band names. Up until that point, they had temporarily used the band names The Spike Jones, The Hookers, and Fox Chaser.

Their drummer, Joey Kramer, suggested “Aerosmith“. He came up with the name after listening to the Harry Nilsson album Aerial Ballet and would frequently scribble it on his school notebooks. But the other members of the band were initially hesitant. They all thought Kramer was referring to the Sinclair Lewis novel, Arrowsmith ($7 via Amazon), which they were required to read in high school English class. “No, not Arrowsmith,” Kramer explained. “A-E-R-O… Aerosmith.” Without a better option to choose from, they chose the band name Aerosmith.

What Would Aerosmith Have Called Themselves If They Weren’t Aerosmith?

While Aerosmith’s name has become synonymous with rock and roll greatness, it’s fun to imagine a parallel universe where they adopted one of these alternative band names. From the thunderous “Boston Brawlers” to the destructive “Toxic Twins” these names aren’t outside the realm of imagination. If Joey Kramer hadn’t been in the band, or been inspired by the album Aerial Ballet, who knows what alternative Aerosmith band name they would have chosen.

Peace Out Aerosmith!

The “Peace Out” farewell tour is a bittersweet moment, honoring their influence on music and the indelible mark they have left on the rock genre. When Aerosmith finally retires, they will leave behind a lasting legacy as one of the biggest pioneers of rock and roll.

What are your favorite Aerosmith songs? What do you think about the name Aerosmith? Is it a weird band name? Let us know in the comments.