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 listings return, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #82

The rain has returned, the leaves are turning bright colors, and I’m on vacation! That must mean it’s mid-October, when I’ve taken time off every year since my honeymoon in 1986. A few months ago, we thought we’d actually go somewhere for this one, but we have postponed once more out of abundance of caution and tentative hope for spring.

BUT I still have lots of monster-themed band names for your treat sack! This week’s batch even includes a new one, the first fresh material in 19 months. Thanks to the Facebook friend whose timely post about going to a show caught my attention as I was planning this theme. As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, 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.

Godzillian
(May 26, 2013) Just how many is a Godzillian, and can it be applied to anything or just giant rubbery monsters? (Sadly, it appears they are no longer active and have disappeared from the internet.)

Here Come the Mummies
(NEW!) I’m not detecting a lot of terror or even surprise here. We’ve been expecting them, there was a delay, but they’ll arrive soon. Then the Halloween party can begin.

hedgehag
(October 3, 2015) I’ve seen references to both “hedge witch” and “hag” in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books, but I never put  together the resemblance, when combined, to the name of the cute spiny critter. Good for October, though more homey charm than scares, and a fine name for an all-girl bluegrass outfit.

Kung Fu Vampire
(May 26, 2013) B-movie vibe doesn’t get much better than this.

The Magic Beans
(May 6, 2017) . . . and the next thing you know, you’ve got giants falling from the sky. Might be worth it, though.

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 eleven issues and subscribe here for future issues. The October 2021 issue is out now! (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)