Muslims Change Their Name

Recently it was announced that indie rockers the Muslims changed their name to the Soft Pack. The reason? Well, guitarist Matty McLoughlin put it pretty bluntly.

"We hated the band name and the completely ignorant, stupid annoying s--- that came along with it," he tells Spinner.

The band originally chose the Muslims because it was "catchy" and wasn't in use, singer and guitarist Matt Lamkin chimes. But it became an issue, largely political, that the band had to deal with, rather than a simple, one-word name.

"It just became a day-to-day hassle," McLoughlin says. "We all have wanted to change it for about a year now."

Meanwhile, the San Diego rockers, who are high on the buzz meter thanks to this year's CMJ Music Festival, will continue writing songs for the new album, due out sometime in 2009, and likely on their current indie label 1928 Recordings. Just don't ask them to define "indie."

"I suppose it's 'indie' to remain friends with and continue to work on ideas with someone after your band has garnered some internet attention," McLoughlin says.

We're thinking something more like loyal.