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!

Announcement: I am slowing working on migrating my author newsletter, The Storypunk Report, to this platform. If you receive this blog in your email, you will soon(ish) also receive an extra communication each month with my writing/publishing news, book reviews, upcoming events, and more. To check out a sample, go HERE.

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 bottom to never miss a post.

The Grebes
So many birds have names that are fun to say, and this is one of my favorites.

past self
Live in a way that your future self will thank you.

Puppies & a Demon
Here’s how we know cozy horror is a real genre.

septemberistheonlytimeidontthinkofyou
I’m always happy to celebrate a band name that is obviously and intentionally too long. The way this poetic line is all run together just increases my admiration.

Sewerperson
I detect a little loser pride here, or maybe this is their secret way to beat the high cost of housing.

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 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.)