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!

Before I get to this week’s fine selection of band names, a little shameless self promotion: Promise Stones and Granny’s Bones (Tales from Deep River Book 3) comes out next Tuesday, October 20 from Not A Pipe Publishing and is now available for preorder. Considering this, my 9th novel, is the one I almost forgot to write and experienced a series of delays over the past year, I am absolutely delighted to get it into the world. Having had their magical coming-of-age adventure in book 1, the main characters now have to discover how to be independent adults. If you like cozy fantasy adventure with low-spice romance, I hope you will check it out!

And if you’re only here for the band names, thank you for your patience with an excited indie author. 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.

Catzap!
Static discharge while you’re petting your feline friend startles everyone, but the cat blames you.

Corpse Dust
We are dust and to dust we shall return. (My dad was interested enough in human composting, which is legal in Washington, that he prearranged for the process for his own remains. Born a farmboy, it seems fitting that he will become soil.)

Homestyle Dinner Rolls
Product-as-band-name is a favorite category of mine; bland comfort foods especially so. Pass the butter and jelly.

Vista House
I’ve been there! Driving along the scenic highway above the Columbia River a few years ago, we happened upon this historic rest stop and tourist attraction. The building is beautiful and the views are spectacular. I don’t know if they ever have live music, but I’d bet the acoustics are good, too.

Wicked Shallows
Treacherous reefs, or villains whose whole personality is a lack of depth.

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.