Choosing a band name, much like naming a child, is quite the challenge. A great name should be catchy, intriguing without being overly complex, and easy to say. Crucially, it shouldn’t lead to endless confusion or awkward mix-ups.
However, for the bands Goose and Geese, the last point proves to be a bit of a hurdle. With just a slight change from ‘O’s to ‘E’s, their names become remarkably similar. Mix up the singular and plural, and you’re talking about a lone bird instead of a whole flock – these groups essentially require you to be both a dedicated music lover and a grammar expert!
Adding to the potential mix-up, both bands have recently dropped new albums and are currently embarking on tours. This means numerous interviews are taking place, and every publication needs to be extra careful not to confuse the two.
Just last month, Brooklyn-based quartet Geese unveiled their third studio album, ‘Getting Killed,’ which critics are already hailing as one of the year’s standout records. Not to be outdone, Wilton, Connecticut’s own quartet, Goose, released their fifth studio album – and second this year – titled ‘Chain Yer Dragon’ in August.
Logically, Goose predates Geese, having formed in 2014 compared to Geese’s 2016 debut. Both groups share musical education roots: Goose members attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, while Geese honed their skills at Brooklyn’s Park Slope Rock School. And just to be clear, neither is the Atlanta nu-metal band Silly Goose.
As aptly summarized by Rolling Stone, “Despite their vastly different sounds and styles, these two acts are undeniably linked by their similar names.”
Given all this, a comprehensive field guide – much like one for birdwatching – would certainly come in handy to distinguish between Goose and Geese.
Their Distinct Sounds
Imagine Goose, often likened to Phish, as a jam band infused with indie-rock vibes. Pitchfork notes their remarkable talent for enchanting listeners, capable of ‘stopping time for a little bit.’ Rolling Stone further praises them as ‘musicians unafraid to revel in rubbery grooves, guitar and keyboard solos that threatened to never end.’
Now, picture Geese as an indie-rock band with occasional jam-like flourishes. GQ humorously describes their new album as ‘ripping open the carcasses of Radiohead, Pavement, and Swans and feasting there, looking up with a big, bloody grin.’ Pitchfork characterizes ‘Getting Killed’ as ‘a clattering, groove-based sound, denying the structures of traditional rock music while following the same volleys of tension and release.’
The Story Behind Their Names
Rick Mitarotonda, the frontman for Goose, shared that their band’s name originated from a piece of quirky kitchen slang he encountered while working at Dam Good Tacos, a restaurant in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Interestingly, Geese gets its name from a pluralized nickname for their guitarist, Emily Green. So yes, a member of the band ‘Geese’ is actually nicknamed ‘Goose’!
Key Distinguishing Features
While both bands feature four casually dressed musicians fond of jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers, there are subtle differences. The members of Goose are roughly a decade older and sport impressive beards worthy of a lumberjack. In contrast, the Geese members project a more trendy, ‘Silver Lake’ aesthetic rather than a rugged ‘Lake Oswego’ vibe.
Fan Overlap: Do Audiences Cross Over?
Though these bands inhabit quite different musical realms with minimal fan crossover, there are fascinating exceptions. Trey Anastasio, the iconic Phish frontman, not only shared the stage with Goose at Radio City Music Hall and toured with them in 2022, but he has also been seen enjoying Geese’s live performances.
Furthermore, Geese opened for Vampire Weekend earlier this year, and, in another surprising connection, Vampire Weekend’s own Ezra Koenig has performed live with Goose.
A Double Bill Dream?
A joint performance hasn’t happened yet, though both bands coincidentally played the Newport Folk Festival on the same day this past July 25. As the music site Stereogum playfully suggested, ‘Hopefully they will become good friends.’ Music enthusiasts can only wish for such a memorable ‘gaggle’ of a show.