Polite PETA Pressure Proves Productive

PETA (which stands for Dopes Who Want to Force Other People to Go Vegan And Will Do Some Damfool Things to Achieve it, apparently) wants the '80s pop band Pet Shop Boys to change its name:

From the CBC

"You have many loyal fans of the Pet Shop Boys here at PETA. We have a request that may at first seem bizarre, but we hope that after considering the following facts, you will understand why we are asking this of you," reads a letter to the duo from PETA special projects manager Yvonne Taylor.

The missive proceeds to outline alleged ways animals are mistreated by pet shops. By changing the band's name, "you would help raise awareness about the cruelty involved in the pet trade and encourage your millions of fans to consider giving a home to an abandoned or unwanted animal from an animal shelter," the letter concludes.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, founding members or the group, agreed wholeheartedly, saying that "The old name doesn't reflect the realities of the new century." The group has approached a major company for sponsorship, claiming it will rebrand itself either as The Petco Boys, or Puppy Mill Inc.

In the wake of the announcement, several other groups said they'd revisit their names as well.

The band Skinny Puppy decided to rename themselves Well-Nourished-Yet-Not-Overfed Puppy.

Don Henley and Glenn Fry, in deference to the endangered status of the American Bald Eagle (anywhere outside Canada), have changed their band name to The Pigeons.

Howling Wolf's recordings will be released this year under the name "Happy Wolf."

Joe Elliott and Rick Savage, working on a new project, have announced that the newly-christened Hearing-Impaired Leppard will tour in 2010.

Yussef Islam, on the other hand, outright refused to return to his former performing title, saying his current monicker is more recognizable, and confers benefits when he travels abroad.