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!

It’s been a big week! I’ve been a mom for 32 years, I’m another month closer to retirement, a short story I submitted in January was accepted by a paying market, and I managed to write an 1,100 word flash fiction in two days. No fooling about any of that! But the important news is that the band names continue to show up when I need them.

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!

Atomic Starfish
Apparently it’s a hot pepper, but I dig the weird, pulpy, space-age sci-fi vibe.

Back from Death
Perfect as we enter Holy Week. As Commander Ruby Ladd says in my novel Ego & Endurance (on pre-order next weekend!), “I’m back from the dead. I can do whatever I want.”

Blammos
I love a good sound-effect name. This could be fireworks or bubblegum, and is not far from what a resident toddler called the piano. (Thanks to Dead Bars for alerting me to this one.) (Edited because of an amazingly serendipitous and previously unknown connection between the name of this blog and the band name’s origin. Read about it HERE.)

Grieve the Astronaut
I’m a big fan of space exploration, but I dread the day we lose someone in space. Ego & Endurance has a whole lot of astronaut grief underlying the workplace rom-com plot.

Loud Graves
It’s either time to get the heck out of the cemetery or get ready to party with the spirits. (Thanks to Dead Bars for alerting me to this one, too.)

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. Next issue comes out next week! 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.)