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 Everout nightlife listings for abundant source material!
I’m writing this post a day late because I spent all yesterday at the Kirkland Summerfest, selling books from the Author Event Network booth. It wasn’t the best selling event–people were there more to taste wine and dance than to shop–but I sold 10 paperbacks, so not complaining! (If you want to find me at an upcoming event, check HERE.) This delay means I get to write on my birthday! As I celebrate 60 trips around the sun, I offer you the gift of these five fine band names.
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!
Lookout Mountain Lookout
Local flavor in the form of a real place name that does something fun (if redundant) with language. But is it redundant when it is just being precise?
Middle Finger Drive
The traffic must be really bad.
This brings to mind my favorite superpower I made up for Barbara/St. Rage in The Gospel According to St. Rage. If she flips the bird in anger, copious amounts of bird crap come down on who- or whatever offended her.
Middle Names
Such an ordinary thing–most people in this culture have one–yet it is often almost like a secret name: maybe hated, but the identifier that sets one apart from others with the same first and last. It shows up on diplomas, tombstones, and in your mother’s mouth when you’re really in trouble.
Ordinary Elephant
Even the most everyday elephant is an extraordinary creature.
Preacher’s Flask
Sharing the Gospel not because they don’t have any weaknesses, but because they do.
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.)
My new science fiction novel, Ego & Endurance is out now! Details here! If you’re intrigued by a hard sci-fi workplace rom-com/survival story in space, inspired by and patterned on the Shackleton expedition, please check it out!
Karen Eisenbrey 