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!

Dare I say it? It feels like summer! All the people having parties at the park this morning lucked out. I’m going to a musical event in a friend’s garden this evening, so I guess we lucked out, too. I hope the pleasant weather will carry over to next weekend, when I will be out selling my books at the Fremont Fair. Find me and my author pals in the Author Event Network booth on Saturday, June 20, 10 am to 8 pm. We will happily supply your next summer read (or more than one)!

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.

Jet Cemetery
For grieving pilots who want to give their plane a decent burial. Or be buried in it when they go.

Pale Endless
Poetic and serene.

Plash
I have a special fondness for sound-effect names. This one is an especially elegant onomatopoeia.

Quitting Time
Whether this marks the end of a workday, a career, a bad habit, or a bad government, it is worth looking forward to and celebrating when it happens.

Serpentskirt
Skip the fig leaves. Wear the snake.

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.)