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!
On this, my 53rd birthday, Facebook tells me I have 4 events; 3 of them are rock shows including a couple featuring former Square Pig picks Skies Below, Ancient Warlocks, Bad Tats, and Terman Shanks, but I’m actually going to the one that isn’t a rock show because I can walk there, it’s not as late, it’s in the woods, and it’s going to be great.
I’m also sharing the gift of band names:
Dance Ordinance Enforcement Committee! (Seattle has a history of various oppressive dance ordinances, which I’ve always thought explains why at many shows, everybody stands facing the stage and doesn’t move except maybe in the mosh pit, where there’s always this one huge guy.) I listened to one of this jazz group’s tracks; I dare you to not move.
This transformation of a morose adjective into a plural noun gives it an ironically upbeat, sunny feel.
The placement in the listings leads me to believe they headlined, but perhaps it was an editorial instruction and they were supposed to be the opening act.
To those not paying attention, this sounds like a pleasant tree-lined suburban street . . . until they arrive at the old haunted cemetery. And it’s their funeral.
Alliteration and a favorite adjective, making the case that romance doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Hearts can be full even when pockets are empty.
Karen Eisenbrey 