skyline Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I apologize...I'm sure this has been covered countless times, but I searched and found nothing. A friend and I were discussing this today, and I really had no clue. They said Wilco was a military abbreviation for "will comply", but had no idea if there was any relevance to the band name. Anyway, I guess the topic title speaks for itself. Any answers? Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tugmoose Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kalle Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Roger, wilco. Tweedy said once in an interview he just flipped through a dictionary once really quickly because they needed a name for something, a show I presume. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dondoboy Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Didn't he once say they thought it was a funny name because it meant "Will Comply" when dealing with record company folk? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SquashedFrog Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Because it was better than "Black Shampoo" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Basil II Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Because it was better than "Black Shampoo" yep!!! -Robert Because it was better than "Black Shampoo" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
deepseacatfish Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Roger, wilco. Tweedy said once in an interview he just flipped through a dictionary once really quickly because they needed a name for something, a show I presume.I could be wrong but I think the flipping through the dictionary was Uncle Tupelo (two random words, essentially). Will comply is what I've always subscribed to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kalle Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I could be wrong but I think the flipping through the dictionary was Uncle Tupelo (two random words, essentially). Will comply is what I've always subscribed to. Oh yeah you're probably right on that, for sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
conezone Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 i think it was at a farm aid show (but im not totally sure) that someone asked jeff why they named themselves wilco... the interviewer knew that it meant "will comply" but he didnt get the joke. jeff said that he thought it was really funny for a rock band to be named "will comply". haha... the audience laughed and the interviewer was like "well NOW we think it's funny!" haha. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PigSooie Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 What in heaven's name is a Wilco? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I thought Jay Farrar asked Jeff not to use the name Uncle Tupelo anymore after he left and Jeff said, "Wilco," as in 'will comply.' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Gym Teacher Man Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I thought Jay Farrar asked Jeff not to use the name Uncle Tupelo anymore after he left and Jeff said, "Wilco," as in 'will comply.' was that a joke or were you being serious? i've only heard that it's an abbreviation for 'will comply' or that it's because they are from Will County. since the latter is false, i've always just assumed the former to be true. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 was that a joke or were you being serious? i've only heard that it's an abbreviation for 'will comply' or that it's because they are from Will County. since the latter is false, i've always just assumed the former to be true.I'm serious. I've heard it several places and thought it was in the Kot book but could be wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I thought it was from what people called them when they were backing Dylan. Wait ... this is about Wilco? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I thought it was from what people called them when they were backing Dylan. Wait ... this is about Wilco? That's the first thing I thought when I read the thread title. Richard Manuel explained that in the last waltz, it was a reaction to all the "Chocolate Subway and Marshmallow overcoat" bands. I have learned, I had no idea where the name Wilco came from or that it even meant "Will comply". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PigSooie Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I'll ask carlos if he can ask jeff next time jeff calls him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moe_Syzlak Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I always thought they were named after those basement doors. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I recall seeing a small company named "Wilco" on Irving Park road (nw side of Chicago) and always hoped Jeff got the name from that..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I'm serious. I've heard it several places and thought it was in the Kot book but could be wrong.I think the Kot book offers the "Will Comply" theory. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Gym Teacher Man Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I recall seeing a small company named "Wilco" on Irving Park road (nw side of Chicago) and always hoped Jeff got the name from that..... i'm about as familiar with irving park rd as one can be. never seen that. where is it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 i'm about as familiar with irving park rd as one can be. never seen that. where is it?Irving Park and Kedzie, I believe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Irving Park and Kedzie, I believe. Yep, not sure if it's still there or not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 The flipping through a dictionary for a name is a GD thing. Hadn't heard of UT doing it, as well.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moe_Syzlak Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I am generally not a fan of band names, but for some reason I like the name Wilco. I almost feel I shouldn't look in here because I'm afraid someone is going to provide an explanation of the name that will make me NOT like it anymore. Tangential rant: I hate it when individuals go by "band" names. Just call yourself Justin Vernon or Kristian Matsson! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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