Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Since 2010, Square Pig in a Round Hole has been rewarding 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!

I’m going to a show tonight! It’s not rock & roll, though it is presented by my former bandmate (and always brother) Neal Kosaly-Meyer. He is nine years and nine chapters into a project to memorize and perform Finnegans Wake by James Joyce, one chapter per year, with acute attention to musical detail. If you’re in Seattle and that sounds intriguing, the details are here.

And if you’re just here for the band names, that’s OK, too. If you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch. And … hit the follow button at the lower right to never miss a post!

Berator
Taking the harsh scolding to a professional level.

Exploded Drawing
A violent name for a technical draftsperson’s peaceable skill set.

The Mourning Watch
A wake aboard ship, early in the day. James Joyce would appreciate the pun.

Panda Conspiracy
They don’t want us to know they are actually bears.

Scott & the Hottheads
Always happy to present an example of classic X and the Y band-name structure. I like how even the spelling rhymes.

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.)