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 (usually) 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 nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #56

At the intersection of my musical and literary interests is a nigh-bottomless well of Science Fiction/Fantasy-themed band names. (Try not to fall in.) I will be drawing from it for weeks! As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, get your vaccine, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

Aruvius Thud
(May 18, 2013) I just love the way this sounds, like the name of a backwoods wizard.

Blame the Wizards
(April 23, 2016) Maybe that’s the explanation for the awfulness so far this year: a wizard did a spell, taking Prince and Bowie, but leaving Trump and Cruz. Damn wizards. [Update: we had no idea. Someone needs to have a word with those wizards.]

Chrononauts
(February 11, 2012) And as a science fiction writer, how could I not laud these sailors of the timestream?

Class M Planets
(June 30, 2018) I’m always pleased to find a nerdy sci-fi reference in the club listings. For those not in the know, we live on one.

Dragontail Peak
(June 29, 2013) This one hits my fantasy reader and writer spot. While you’re worrying about the dragon’s mouth, the tail will come around and take you out from behind.

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) is now available for purchase from your favorite independent bookshop or the usual online outlets. Join me and The Neverending Bookshop on May 1 at 3 pm PDT for a live Zoom event featuring readings, Q&A, and more! RSVP here to receive the link.

Two last things before you go:

1. My new thing in 2021 is The Rage Brigade, a Facebook group for conversation about fantasy, science fiction, superheroes, and music (and the intersections thereof). If that sounds like fun, come join us here.
2. I share highlights from this blog in my quarterly author newsletter, The Storypunk Report, as well as news of what I’m writing and reading, upcoming events, and other goodies, including “Wizard in the Mosh Pit,” an exclusive short story just for subscribers. Click the link to check out the first ten issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)