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 once again writing this post a day early because on Saturday, August 1, I will be at Lake City Summer Fest, 10:30 am to 7 pm, offering signed copies of all of my books, alongside other fine local authors in the Author Event Network booth. If you’re in the neighborhood, come say hi and pick up a new book or three! I also want to offer a warm welcome to my newsletter subscribers, who will now also receive this weekly blog post. Blog subscribers who receive it by email can expect the monthly newsletter, too. This is just me getting everything into one place, but I hope everyone will enjoy a little extra content.

Now, on with the main event: band names. 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.

Forged by Dread
Major dark fantasy/horror vibes: what we fear will make us strong enough to fight it.

Man of the Mountain
Cryptid or grizzled old prospector? Or maybe the wizard Knot from my Tales from Deep River fantasy series. He has a close, possibly unhealthy, relationship with his mountain.

Tiger Penis
Shouts hilariously performative masculinity.

Villains in Vain
No matter how hard they try, they keep being reformed and turned into heroes. I appreciate the alliteration and the visual rhyme in how the words are spelled.

Zap Pack
Batteries? Spice blend? Three pairs of wool socks for shuffling on the carpet? Whatever, I like the concentrated energy of these two syllables.

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 below for future issues.