Of naming rights, and naming rites …
Kevin Bronson on
1
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dio,
First, Ronnie, I heard you’ve been undergoing treatment for stomach cancer. Let me wish you the best in this battle, and that you bounce back quickly so you can tour in support of that “Heaven and Hell” DVD.
Secondly, and the reason for this short note, is I’d like to ask you a favor, aging blogger to veteran rocker: Could you please ask your legal squad to lay off the guys in the Hawthorne pop band Dios? I heard your lawyer sent just them a note taking issue with their band name – it’s the same thing that happened back in 2004 when they changed their name from Dios to Dios Malos, or Dios (Malos), or however they rendered it. All the indie kids in town know them as Dios; heck, they played Coachella as Dios. So they’re going back to the Dios name for this new album, and I say good for them. Besides, you Google “Dio” and your sites come up; you Google “Dios” and theirs do.
My simple point is, nobody is going to confuse Dio with Dios. If you think your fans are going to be befuddled, you’re not giving them much credit. Same goes for Dios’ fans.
Dios didn’t have the resources to fight your cease-and-desist letter in 2004, and I’m guessing they don’t now. In fact, I’m not sure they’ve made enough money in seven or so years as a band to cover a blogger’s bar tab.
So a simple suggestion: Live and let live, yes? And rock on.
Best
Bronson
â—Š â—Š â—Š
Other names in the news:
L.A. shoegazers Shiloe are now going by Hexham Heads. No reason given. They play their first show under their new name tonight at Spaceland. Background.
And, perhaps thinking there was one too many Grizzly to bear, L.A. folkies the Grizzly Owls have changed their name to Funeral Club. One thing for sure – if you sample the music, you won’t confuse them with Funeral Party.
Photo from ronniejamesdio.com
THANK YOU!!!!! I remember watching DIOS at the Smell and I was blown away. Along the way they worked on their full length, appeared with Nic Harcourt (twice!) and yes, performed on Coachella.
The I heard they were Dios (Malos) because of some BS legal wrangling. Who is going to mix up Dio with Dios? Yes, one letter different, but you’re going to tell me you’re not going to know the difference the moment you see the album work or the music?
Yes, please call off the legal goons and let these kids use Dios, I’m sure they’ll write you a pretty little song.