Local Band Name Breakdown: Where we ask Bay Area bands the story behind their names. Don't pretend you never wondered.

Oakland-based Wax Idols, the badass group of gals (and one bass-playing guy!) banging out post-punk gems and one of our top 7 bands to watch this year, are quickly proving to be one of the rawest, rough and ready bands doing the dive scene in the city right now. Fronted by singer Hether Fortune (quoted here), they just debuted their first video to the Wire-esque "All Too Human", which we can't stop spinning.

What inspired the name Wax Idols, and why'd it stick?

Weird story actually. I was stoned, lying in bed, and had been trying to come up with a band name for a week or so. All the sudden the lyric "flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark" from Bob Dylan's "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" flashed through my head. Immediately afterward I thought "WAX IDOLS" and that's it. Thanks Bob!

Were you named anything before "Wax Idols"? What were some rejected names?

My "solo" music used to be called KOMMEN FREI and when I was 18 it was called WILLOW, which is really, really lame and embarrassing.

What's the weirdest question you've ever been asked about the name?

Someone asked me if we were a religious band once. I said something
like "Yes, because I am GOD".

All Too Human from Gretchen Natvig on Vimeo.

Wax Idols plays with Alters and Aerosols at Burritt Room in the Crescent Hotel this Saturday, April 9, at 417 Stockton Street. The show is free and starts at 9 pm.