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!
Happy Valentine’s Day, band-name lovers! I have some great ones to slip into your decorated shoe box. If you’re also a book lover in the Seattle area, I will be part of a multi-author reading at BookTree Kirkland today, Saturday, February 14, 4:25 to 6:30 pm. Five members of Author Event Network will each read a short excerpt from our published work, with an open mic after in case anyone in the audience brought something to share. I will be reading from A Quest for Hidden Things (Tales from Deep River Book 1), a cozy fantasy adventure with a touch of romance.
If you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch. Also, check out the Battle of the Bands my pal Chantel is doing at The Swamp, picking new competitors each week from Square Pig. And … hit the subscribe button at the lower right to never miss a post.
Blame Aphrodite
How perfect that they’re playing on Valentine’s Day! But take my advice: if things go wrong tonight, own your mistakes and try to do better next time.
Hairitage
My mom used to say that if you want to know your hair heritage, look at your mom’s dad. I don’t know if that’s true, but “hairitage” is a much smoother way to say it.
Mushroom Cloud
I like mushrooms and I like clouds, but as a child of the Cold War, mushroom clouds make me want to duck and cover.
The Noble Manes
It’s not the man who is aristocratic; it’s his wig. Or perhaps they have good hairitage?
Plastic Wildflowers
I appreciate this egregious mashup. My grandmother disliked artificial flowers in part because she was a gardener. My mother disliked them in part because her mother did, and was appalled to find them in the “memorial park” where Grandma was buried. Mom especially loved wildflowers, so plastic wildflowers would have sent her off the edge.
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 
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