The Pigeon Detectives reveal truth about 'silly' name

The Pigeon Detectives have revealed the story behind their oft-criticised name.

The band let slip their secret as they prepare to play a mammoth UK tour, which starts on October 15 in Aberdeen.

Speaking about the name drummer Jimmi Naylor said: “I never liked the name at first. But it’s stuck - and it’s probably got us more attention having a silly name.

“It came from an Australian guy who we met at the Leeds Festival. We were just discussing band names and he came up with The Pigeon Detectives. It became an in-joke for the rest of the festival.

“We thought nothing of it, but when it came to our first gig in Leeds the promoter was saying, ‘What’s your name?’ we were like ‘Oh, um The Pigeon Detectives.’”

Speaking to Musician’s Union magazine 'Musician', Naylor added: “We meant to change it but it’s kind of got too far. I suppose there are a lot of bands with bad names, though. I mean, even Oasis sounds like a girl pop band.”

The band are set to play the following live dates:

Aberdeen Lemon Tree (October 15)
Inverness Raigmore (16)
Dundee Fat Sams (18)
Fort William BA Club (19)
Ullapool Village Hall (20)
Glasgow Arches (21)
Durham The Studio (24)
Newcastle University (25)
Scarborough Vivaz (26)
Manchester Academy (28)
Blackpool Empress Ballroom (29)
Hull University (30)
Liverpool Carling Academy (31)
Skegness Embassy ( November 2)
Sheffield Union (3)
Peterborough Cressett (4)
Norwich Waterfront –(5)
Nottingham Rock City (6)
Wrexham Central Station (8)
Bangor University (9)
Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall (10)
Keele Uni (11)
Swansea University (13)
Bristol Anson Rooms (14)
Exeter Lemon Grove (15)
Portsmouth Pyramids (16)
Bournemouth Fire Station (17)
Reading Hexagon (19)
Oxford Zodiac (20)
London Forum (21,22,23)

To check ticket availability and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/GIGS, now.