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 and The Stranger nightlife listings for abundant source material!

As we we enter 2022 (with guarded hopes and low expectations), I wish you a satisfying year of small comforts, surprising joys, good health, and warm connections. With the added bonus of excellent band names. I plan to be here every week and invite you to join me! Hit the follow button and never miss a post.

As ever, and especially if you’re going out to shows again, wash your hands, wear your mask, get your vaccine and booster if you haven’t already, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for even better days.

Clean Lines
Start the year with pleasing simplicity (and maybe dialogue without so many F-bombs).

The Elegant Sadness Ensemble
If you must grieve, why not do it beautifully dressed?

Goat Sanctuary
God’s critters, chewing on the pews and jumping up on the altar and bleating in the choir.

Lysol
Punk rock is a disinfectant.

The Rare Forms
Shapes you don’t see just every day. (Appropriately, they’re on the same bill with Clean Lines.)

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 next one comes out this month! (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)