Band Names

Many of the tamboo bamboo and early steelbands were named after their community or the street where the band was based.

For example, the Laventille Tamboo Bamboo Band.

After the Second World War many of the bands changed their names.  These names were often attributed to popular films or musicals of the day.

For example, the Invaders were named after a film entitled “Night Invaders”.

With the transition from tamboo bamboo to steelband almost at a close and the growth in membership of the steelbands ever increasing, many of the steelbands renamed themselves “Steel Orchestras”.

For example, Invaders Steel Orchestra.

Large companies began to sponsor steelbands and the steelbands proudly displayed the name of their sponsor as a prefix of the steelband’s name.

For example, Caribbean Airlines Invaders Steel Orchestra.