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!

Keep wearing those masks! If you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch to encourage them as we look forward to less interesting times. And … hit the follow button at the lower right to never miss a post!

96 Bitter Beings
Might not be a fun party with such a crowd of acrid entities. The exact number sounds like a shout-out to ? and the Mysterians, though, so the music will probably be great.

Everybody’s Sidekick
That’s one low-budget superteam. All the heroes have to share.

Fantastic Cat
Aren’t they all? Such good kitties. Give ’em a skritch.

Snacks at Midnight
That’s one way to get us old folks to stay up late! Is there cheese?

Trusty Sea Creatures
Feel-good Saturday morning cartoon vibe; fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and marine mammals all depending on each other to get the job done.

Two last things before you go:

1. I run 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 archive and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)