<P> Initially the band was known as The How to Grow a Band . In 2007 , the band officially changed its name first to The Tensions Mountain Boys and then settled on Punch Brothers . The band 's name comes from the critical line of an earworm jingle that is the centerpiece of Mark Twain 's short story `` A Literary Nightmare '' . The chorus of the jingle consists of two lines , `` Punch , brothers ! punch with care ! Punch in the presence of the passenjare '' , that are said to be the mantra of railroad conductors . </P>
where did the punch brothers get their name
from the critical line of an earworm jingle that is the centerpiece of Mark Twain 's short story `` A Literary Nightmare ''