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 Stranger’s Everout nightlife listings for abundant source material!
I’m actually writing this a day early–I’ll be out most of Saturday at the Fremont Fair. If you will be attending, please come find me in the vendor area! I’ll be in the Author Event Network booth, selling and signing my books. I will also be raising funds for The Alzheimer’s Association on The Longest Day: donate $5 or more and get $5 off a book purchase. The actual longest day is today, and I’m busy adding words to a new book project as my fundraising activity. Over the last 5 hours, I’ve added more than 5000 words and raised 46% of my fundraising goal. I get to count this blog post, too! If you want to donate without trekking out to Fremont, you can do that at http://act.alz.org/goto/KarenEisenbrey
But if you only want to celebrate band names, I completely understand! If you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch. And … hit the subscribe button at the lower right to never miss a post.
Acid Bath
Soaking in sudsy psychedelic sounds.
Laser Beam
When I was a kid, I had no idea the ultimate sci-fi weapon would one day be a common household item, printing my manuscripts, playing my music and movies, and fascinating my cats. After all these decades, it still sounds futuristic and cool.
Michael Cera Palin
I love that the pivot from one celebrity to another isn’t obvious to the eye.
Nailbiter
Back in March 2020, when we were all washing our hands and trying not to touch our faces, I managed to quit a lifelong habit. Yes, I was a nailbiter. Not that exciting, I know, but the change seems to have stuck, and this reminded me.
Phantom Planet
I’m always alert to space- and spooky-themed names. Is this a world drifting invisibly through the cosmos, or one that isn’t where it should be?
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 monthly 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 subscribe to the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)
Karen Eisenbrey 