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!

Novelists are notorious procrastinators, so Not A Pipe Publishing has started a podcast/YouTube show to celebrate that. I took time off from my novel revisions to be the guest on episode 2 of Writers Not Writing. Among other delightful time-wasters, we talked about Freakly Digest, the best little uplifting punk-rock digital zine going, Christmas cookies … and this blog! Watch on YouTube here. You can also listen to audio only on Spotify here, or on Stitcher here.

And here are the band names you’ve been waiting for! 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!

Dopatonin
The brain chemical we need now more than ever: makes you feel good enough to fall asleep.

Formally Staff
It says so on the back of their tuxedo jacket.

Organasm
When you play a toccata just right, it comes ecstatically alive.

Princess Pulpit
Don’t tell her not to preach.

Space Tractor
Something has to haul all the derelict starships back to base for repairs or salvage.

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. Next one comes out in January! (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)