How would I return only one instance of something from a query?

[AutomatikStudio]

I've got a table with names of bands and show dates. The field "bandName" has each bands name. I want to have a drop down list on my website that lists each band in the table but most bands are in the database numerous times. I currently create the drop down list and populate it with the results from the query by doing this:

	$result5 = mysql_query ("SELECT bandName FROM events_eventApproved ORDER BY bandName");
	echo "<form action='dummy' method='post'>
	<select name='choice' onchange='jump(this.form)'>
	<option value=''>Band List</option>
	<option value=''>--------------------</option>";
	while ($row5 = mysql_fetch_array($result5)){
	echo "<option value='".$row5['bandName']."'>".$row5['bandName']."</option>";
	}
	echo ("</select></form>");

but how do i keep say "Jimmy and the Funkmaster Kids" from appearing every time they're in the database?

[Pig]

The short answer is to use DISTINCT:
SELECT DISTINCT(bandName) FROM events_eventApproved ORDER BY bandName

The long answer is that your database is not properly designed. You should have a seperate table for bands, and store the id's for the bands in the events table (not the actual band names)