What was Candlebox's name before it was changed to Candlebox?

Before becoming Candlebox, the Seattle band was called Uncle Duke.

Candlebox formed in the Seattle music scene around 1990, initially using the name Uncle Duke. The early group centered on vocalist and guitarist Kevin Martin, guitarist Peter Klett, bassist Bardi Martin, and drummer Scott Mercado. After the lineup developed, the musicians changed the name to Candlebox before achieving wider recognition.

The new name is generally associated with a lyric from “Tin Legs and Tin Mines,” a song by the Australian rock band Midnight Oil. That connection is sometimes overlooked because Candlebox became closely identified with the grunge and post-grunge movement rather than with Midnight Oil’s political rock.

Candlebox’s self-titled debut album arrived in 1993 and produced the hit singles “Change,” “You,” and “Far Behind.” The album helped the band break out nationally during the peak of alternative rock. Although the group was often grouped with Seattle grunge acts, its music also drew on hard rock, alternative rock, and classic-rock influences.