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 #76

My emotional support human suggested I do a post of game-themed band names. I was surprised I hadn’t done that yet, but suspected it would be a rich seam to mine. That turned out to be true, so I will be sharing the riches for a couple of weeks.

As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask again, get your vaccine if you haven’t already, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

6 Demon Bag
(October 18, 2014) This sounds like something from a role-playing game, an item that allows you to collect the demons you defeat and use their powers. (Which shows that I live with huge nerds — I guessed that without knowing it was an actual thing in World of Warcraft). Upgrade to the 12 Demon Bag for just one gold piece more!

Ca$h Bandicoot
(August 30, 2014) A long time ago, a certain young relative was constantly — and vocally — excited about a certain video game. This sly reference reminds us what it was really all about.

Dry T-Shirt Contest
(October 29, 2016) A non-gendered, non-salacious bar game: don’t spill your drink on your shirt!

Grand Theft Zombie
(June 14, 2014) Great pop-culture mashup. The video game reference also perfectly suits the style of music.

How to Win at Battleship
(July 21, 2014) I like band names that sound like self-help titles, especially for things that can’t be guaranteed. I’ve played enough Battleship to know that the surest way to win is to play someone who is worse at the game, but then that feels kind of mean. Oh, wait! It’s war! So the only way to win is not to play.

Two last things before you go:

1. I am admin for 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. The July 2021 issue includes an excerpt from Barbara and the Rage Brigade. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)