Wow, this thread got deep!

I really thought we were all just going to toss out a band we thought looked nice and maybe some that didn't.

I'm with @Tombstone in that if a band is badass and catches my eye, I'm buying one just for the F of it.
@WNYTONY 's lengthy speech oke was right on about brand name and reputation meaning more than any band. I too am a fan of Crowned Heads as well as just about anything Steve Saka makes and Padron, is well, Padron. My faith in those makers didn't come from the bands, but rather positive experiences. If I could walk in to house Padron and buy a mazo of their cigars, unbanded, I'd do in a second. Yet if I goto a local lounge and they're touting their house stick is made by a "big name maker", maybe I'd try one, but I'm surely not buying a bundle untested.

The Tatuaje example is curious in that while the bands are pretty plain, Pete's marketing can be at the top tier of gimmicky. Damn right I buy those monsters though!
@josh lucky 13 brings up a great point about the perceived premium of that big X. I think the Opus is akin to having a designer name - not sure if a Louis Vitton handbag is any better than one made by ACME, but then again I think the point of a bag covered in a logo print is to be seen with it. I do have and smoke some Opus cigars, but I think Fuente has better sticks in their line up.

An ugly band (which is in the eye of the beholder) is an absolute turn off to me. I dislike most giant bands with billboard like names on them as the aforementioned Camachos. Always thought Fratellos were ugly too. Really low quality bands like on the Bahias (thin paper, bleeding printing) signal low quality to me as well.

In the end, each of us should smoke what they like.

(Did I go on longer than Tony?)