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 am publishing this post a day early because I will be out all day Saturday 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.

Dreary Long Band
I detect a little loser pride hidden in this name, though it is hard to feel dreary about these long June days.

Friends Friends
I like how these two repetitions are open to interpretation: those just outside the inner circle; those securely in the friend zone; or absolute BFFs.

Ghost in the Willow
There’s a whole spooky story implied by this one haunted tree.

The Passed
All the cars we’ve gone around; the recent graduates; the honored dead.

Sunny Bear Forest
Sounds cozy and welcoming, but you still shouldn’t get between a mother and her cubs.

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.)