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!
What a relief to have an election go not as predicted, in a good way. Thanks to everyone who turned out to keep the republic going for another little while. Let’s celebrate with band names!
If you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch to encourage them as we perhaps move into less interesting times. And … hit the follow button at the lower right to never miss a post!
Ceiling Wine
Seems like a good use of wasted space … until it all goes horribly wrong. The wine attic is not a thing for a reason.
Cloakroom
Delightfully old-fashioned and mundane, not even trying to be cool like “foyer” or “antechamber.”
The Disorderlies
Upfront about its punkishness, but in this form, also kind of adorable.
Foot Ox
I like how the meaning of words can be decoupled from their sound. A kind of poetry that’s about the music, not the message.
Pretending
I haven’t honored a tribute band in a while, though they always have fun with their names. This tribute to the Pretenders is clearly an ongoing action.
Two last things before you go:
- 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.
- 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.)
Karen Eisenbrey 