Photo of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., courtesy Warner Bros. Records
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Five years after launching "what started out as a basement recording project," Detroit duo Joshua Epstein & Daniel Zott (aka Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.) are abandoning their jaunty moniker and will simply go by JR JR.

Racing driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., the inspiration for the band's name, made clear in 2011 that he was "flattered" by the association and enjoyed the pair's music, but Epstein and Zott explained Wednesday on Facebook that they've outgrown the name and want to move on.

They acknowledged that they appreciate the early buzz that allowed them to sign with Warner Bros. Records, but the switch is a chance "to take back our voice in a way. To us, it is all about empowerment and being who we feel we need to be moving forward."

The duo will continue to perform as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. for the upcoming shows they already have scheduled before eventually transitioning to JR JR. They also note that they "have another announcement very, very soon," likely hinting at their forthcoming album.