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!

It has been a week (check on your beloved octogenarian celebrities), but we’ll always have band names. I hope these choices help us all feel better.

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.

Electric Monkey
Unlike the wind-up variety, this toy will never stop banging its little cymbals together until you unplug it.

Fullbodycast
That mosh pit was epic.

Hyperdrive Kittens
As anyone who has watched a litter of eight-week-old kittens romping knows, harnessing that small feline energy is the secret to faster-than-light travel.

Love Stoned
When the right one comes along, it’s hard to walk straight or stop giggling.

Twisted Teens
Limber young people corkscrew their way out of conformity, with alliteration.

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. Next one drops next Tuesday!