Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward five favorite band names each week. Winners are listed alphabetically. Selection is wholly unscientific and subject to whim, with a bias toward wordplay, humor, and local flavor. In most cases, I won’t know anything about the bands at the time of selection. Thanks to the Seattle Times club listings for abundant source material!

What a lovely day for the Solstice Parade. Sunburn is unlikely, but the nude bicyclists may have wanted a jacket. Fortunately, we can always take shelter in a bar somewhere and listen to a well named band.

Cyborg Octopus, Nautilus Pompilius

Cephalopods! So I’ll talk about them together. As a writer, I have to respect an intelligent, reclusive creature that hides behind ink. And as a science fiction writer, I’m drawn to the cyborg reference, of course. What sort of implants or upgrades might it have? Perhaps some kind of armor? Like the Chambered Nautilus (Nautilus Pompilius)!

Distant Station

Driving at night in the middle of nowhere, you can (or at least used to) pick up powerful AM radio stations from far off towns. Some so clear they were painful to listen to, others staticky and distorted, like they were broadcasting from another planet. Wait a minute. Just how distant is this station?

Pocket of Lollipops

I hope you brought enough to share. Not wrapped, you say? Oh. No, I don’t want that one covered in lint. I’m sorry your pocket is sticky.

The Welkin Din

Welkin is a beautiful old word that doesn’t get out much anymore. The vault of heaven! At Christmas, we sing “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” but what Charles Wesley wrote was “Hark, how all the welkin rings.” I’m sure it was a mighty din.