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 blogging a day early. This time, I will be out all day Saturday, September 12, at my last outdoor event of the season with Author Event Network: Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival on the shores of Puget Sound. The weather forecast looks decent, so if you’re in the area of Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, come say hi and pick up a book or three from me or my author pals for the impending dark and rainy season.

Or simply enjoy this curated selection of fine 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.

Modern Bird
They don’t have teeth, but they’re still dinosaurs.

Quiet Husband
Maybe he doesn’t stomp and shout, or maybe he merely refrains from playing the piano at 6 am.

Red Touches Yellow
Either someone is a dead fellow, or Red needs to keep his hands to himself.

RomancePlanet
It’s like the Love Boat but a whole world. Is this a reality show or a dystopian nightmare?

Sex Mitten
I don’t even need to know if it’s a real thing to laugh like a middle-schooler at the wordplay.

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.