Square Pig in a Round Hole-May 1, 2021

· Leave a comment ·
Cartoon image of a pink square pig in a round hold

Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward 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 Seattle Times nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #59

I wasn’t kidding about how many sci-fi/fantasy themed band names I found! The celebration continues today and will go on for another 3 weeks. As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, get your vaccine, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

Mind Beams
(March 24, 2018) I want this superpower: the ability to project my thoughts without having to find the right words.

Mythical Vigilante
(February 24, 2018) Who to call when you need to track down the villains of lore and legend.

Mythological Horses
(June 23, 2018) The hero’s horse rarely gets enough credit, even if it can fly. (This is the show I most wish I could get to. They’re on a bill with Square Pig faves Mud on My Bra and local legend Kurt Bloch is their guitarist!)

Old Man Wizard
(August 6, 2016) I’m also a fantasy writer, so always on the lookout for wizard references in the club listings. This one shines an impertinent spotlight on the high-fantasy trope of the silver-bearded sorcerer (you wouldn’t deprive an old man of his walking stick, would you?). For my part, I’m currently writing about a young girl wizard, just to begin evening things up. [Update: she now has a full trilogy. See below for details.]

The Outer Space Heaters 
(March 24, 2012) I’ve always thought “space heater” was an awfully cool name for a pretty mundane object. Now I see why.

 

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) is now available for purchase from your favorite independent bookshop or the usual online outlets. Join me and The Neverending Bookshop next Saturday, May 8 at 3 pm PDT for a live Zoom event featuring an interview, readings, audience Q&A, and more! RSVP here to receive the link.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in 2021 is 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 quarterly 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 first ten issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

Square Pig in a Round Hole-April 24, 2021

· Leave a comment ·
Cartoon image of a pink square pig in a round hold

Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward 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 Seattle Times nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #58

It’s Independent Bookstore Day! Seattle-area participants who purchase 10 books from 10 stores over the next 10 days will receive a limited-edition tote bag to carry all those books in. Find details here. I love indie bookshops and (hint, hint) my 5 books would get you halfway there!

Seems like an appropriate day to continue with more Science Fiction/Fantasy-themed band names. As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, get your vaccine, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch (and a book or 10) while we wait for a better day.

Glitter Wizard
Wizard Boots
(June 23, 2012) When I saw these two, I hoped I’d get to do a whole fantasy-themed post, but it didn’t pan out. [Until now. –ed.] So here they are as a pair, making me wish for a pair of glittery wizard boots.

The Hex Dispensers
(February 28, 2015) It’s very convenient: just lift the head and a curse pellet comes out.

Isthmusia
(October 17, 2015) Take a word that’s awkward to sound out and transform it with two letters into a fantasy realm.

Man or Astro-Man?
(May 18, 2013) Anything that can simultaneously bring to mind space travel, Ed Wood and Nietzsche gets my vote.

 

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) is now available for purchase from your favorite independent bookshop or the usual online outlets. Join me and The Neverending Bookshop on Saturday, May 1 at 3 pm PDT for a live Zoom event featuring an interview, readings, audience Q&A, and more! RSVP here to receive the link.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in 2021 is 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 quarterly 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 first ten issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

Square Pig in a Round Hole-April 17, 2021

· Leave a comment ·
Cartoon image of a pink square pig in a round hold

Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward 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 Seattle Times nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #57

I don’t know why I was ever surprised to find such a vast number of Science Fiction/Fantasy-themed band names. It’s the same kind of nerdy weirdos enjoying and creating both the fiction and the music. Sometimes, it’s the same individuals. As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, get your vaccine, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

The Dread Crew of Oddwood
(March 9, 2013) I love the old-fashioned usage of “dread” as an adjective for crew. It pairs well with the fantasy placename, Oddwood, and all those repeated Ds create a thumping alliteration.

Earth Control 
(January 17, 2015) I like plays on words that sound similar but are spelled nothing alike. This also gives off a science-fictiony vibe, which has perennial appeal for me.

From the Future
(August 22, 2015) What kind of science fiction writer would I be if I let this one slip past? It’s reassuring to know that the future will include such funky grooves. Personally, I’m a time-traveler from the past, traveling by record at 33 1/3 rpm. This method is slow and turns your hair gray.

Future Rainbow Lazer
(May 19, 2012) The best hippie/sci-fi baby name ever.

Girls Love Rockets
(February 28, 2015) Well, this one always did. From about the age of six, I thought it was pretty strange to assume female people weren’t interested in space, space travel, science fiction, etc. Because who wouldn’t be?

 

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) is now available for purchase from your favorite independent bookshop or the usual online outlets. Join me and The Neverending Bookshop on May 1 at 3 pm PDT for a live Zoom event featuring an interview, readings, audience Q&A, and more! RSVP here to receive the link.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in 2021 is 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 quarterly 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 first ten issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

Square Pig in a Round Hole-April 10, 2021

· Leave a comment ·
Cartoon image of a pink square pig in a round hold

Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward 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 Seattle Times nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #56

At the intersection of my musical and literary interests is a nigh-bottomless well of Science Fiction/Fantasy-themed band names. (Try not to fall in.) I will be drawing from it for weeks! As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, get your vaccine, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

Aruvius Thud
(May 18, 2013) I just love the way this sounds, like the name of a backwoods wizard.

Blame the Wizards
(April 23, 2016) Maybe that’s the explanation for the awfulness so far this year: a wizard did a spell, taking Prince and Bowie, but leaving Trump and Cruz. Damn wizards. [Update: we had no idea. Someone needs to have a word with those wizards.]

Chrononauts
(February 11, 2012) And as a science fiction writer, how could I not laud these sailors of the timestream?

Class M Planets
(June 30, 2018) I’m always pleased to find a nerdy sci-fi reference in the club listings. For those not in the know, we live on one.

Dragontail Peak
(June 29, 2013) This one hits my fantasy reader and writer spot. While you’re worrying about the dragon’s mouth, the tail will come around and take you out from behind.

 

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) is now available for purchase from your favorite independent bookshop or the usual online outlets. Join me and The Neverending Bookshop on May 1 at 3 pm PDT for a live Zoom event featuring readings, Q&A, and more! RSVP here to receive the link.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in 2021 is 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 quarterly 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 first ten issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

Square Pig in a Round Hole-April 3, 2021

· Leave a comment ·
Cartoon image of a pink square pig in a round hold

Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward 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 Seattle Times nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #55

This weekend, I’m attending the (all-online) Norwescon science fiction and fantasy convention. In honor of that, I have gathered a huge collection of SFF-themed band names–so huge that we’ll be doing this for the next two months. As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

Amish Robots
(May 27, 2018) My first thought was hand-operated automatons, but maybe this is what happens when AI is advanced enough to choose a simpler life.

Ancient Warlocks
(February 5, 2011) This appeals to my fantasy-novel side. Music and fiction are the closest to magic we can get: something out of nothing. It also evokes Spinal Tap and their tiny Stonehenge, and that makes me smile.

Android Hero
Captured! by Robots
Warning: Danger
(May 21, 2011) Danger, Will Robinson! These three bands are on one bill. I love it when they match! Thanks to R2-D2, I’ve loved robots since 1977. My current sci-fi project includes an endearing band of doo-wop singing bots. This was an easy pick.

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) is now available for purchase from your favorite independent bookshop or the usual online outlets. Join me and The Neverending Bookshop on May 1 at 3 pm PDT for a live Zoom event featuring readings, Q&A, and more! RSVP here to receive the link.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in 2021 is 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 quarterly 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 first nine issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

Square Pig in a Round Hole-March 27, 2021

· Leave a comment ·

Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward 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 Seattle Times nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #54

Mars is the only planet we know of that is entirely populated by robots. Outside of fiction, I think we’re probably better off keeping it that way; people make a mess. Happily, I did not run out of Mars-themed band names last week. In fact, there are enough for a  couple of bonus names! As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

Long Day on Mars
(February 10, 2018) Sometimes I suspect bands of picking a name just to get my attention. Did they know I have an unpublished SF novel on my hard drive that includes a chapter about 3 space travelers on Mars, trying to get from their crashed shuttle to the base 90 km away before their oxygen runs out? It takes them more than one long day.

Your Mother Should Know at Sky Church, November 2011

Mars Red Sky
Oceans of Mars
(March 24, 2012) It’s Mars, OK? My imagination has spent a lot of time there lately. According to this picture, I even played a show there (possibly on the bed of a former ocean, under a red sky):

Martian Cult
(April 21, 2018) As a writer of speculative fiction, I’m always partial to a band name with a sci-fi vibe. Is this Earthlings following a charismatic leader from Mars, or Martians following an Earthling?

Mouse on Mars
(February 16, 2013) My instant reaction was memory of the Fun Forest, which I consider a good thing. In my mind, this name melds the roller coaster Mad Mouse with another ride called Flight to Mars. So, Seattle nostalgia plus my usual Mars-mania — an easy pick.

Stranger on Mars
(March 15, 2014) I imagine it will be a long time before this is not true, by definition, of anyone who gets there. But it can also be read as a comparative: “This music is strange enough on Earth, but it’s ever stranger on Mars.” [Sadly, this band no longer has an online presence. –ed.]

Uncommon Men from Mars
(April 20, 2013) Well, they would be. Mars needs women …?

 

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) is now available for purchase from your favorite independent bookshop or the usual online outlets. Join me and The Neverending Bookshop on May 1 at 3 pm PDT for a live Zoom event featuring readings, Q&A, and more! RSVP here to receive the link.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in 2021 is 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 quarterly 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 first nine issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

Square Pig in a Round Hole-March 20, 2021

· Leave a comment ·

Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward 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 Seattle Times nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #53

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) releases next Tuesday, March 23! It is not too late to pre-order–find all the details here. (I recommend ordering from your favorite independent bookshop.) I will be having a little Facebook party on release day from 1-4:00 pm PDT, featuring a giveaway, readings, games, and more. Join the fun here.

The theme this week is a mixed science-fiction bag, with a continuation of last week’s time theme plus a handful of Mars-based band names. As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

Aloha Mars
(April 7, 2018) It’s fun to imagine a day when the Red Planet is just another travel destination.

The Boss Martians
Men Martians and Machines
(February 9, 2013) I love it when my R&R and SF interests come together. I don’t suppose I’ll ever get over my Mars kick.

Future Spa
(October 20, 2018) Present got you down? A weekend of time-travel pampering will give you the perspective you need.

Silent Land Time Machine
(March 15, 2014) Anything with “time machine” in the name is almost guaranteed to catch my eye. What I like about this, aside from the length, is that it can be read as three modifiers with one noun; one modifier with three nouns; or two nouns with one modifier each. Mix and match!

Super Happy Story Time Land
(March 17, 2012) A little too long, a little too goofy. Works for me.

 

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in 2021 is 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 quarterly 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 first nine issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

 

Square Pig in a Round Hole-March 13, 2021

· Leave a comment ·

Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward 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 Seattle Times nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #52

Wow, a whole year–52 weeks–of retrospective posts! My last post selected from current club listings was on March 14, 2020. I assume all those shows were canceled. Appropriately, that post included Everything Sux, about whom I wrote, “You think so, and then you look up and everything is in bloom. We’ll get through this.” This is an appropriate occasion for a new theme: time. Time travel, time change (spring forward tonight!), and time blundering ahead. As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

Another Lost Year
(February 18, 2017) It’s early enough in 2017 that a lot of people still feel bitter about 2016. Those who don’t might think again as they begin to work on their taxes. [Update: how naive I was in 2017.]

The Blank Tapes
(March 2, 2013) Nostalgia trip! There was a time in the not-so-distant past when we devoted a certain part of our budget and storage space to blank tapes. We haven’t bought one in ages; even the used tapes have all been ripped or are steadily being replaced. But this band name triggered memories of a well-used recording [and timing –ed.] medium that was a great convenience in its day. [Update: Leo Ottens, the inventor of the cassette tape, died last weekend at the age of 94.]

Cambrian Explosion
(August 24, 2013) A reference to geologic time and events in an artifact of popular culture — by definition fleeting — is a sweet irony.

Creeping Time
(June 18, 2011) Where does the time go? It creeps away. Creeping Thyme is a fragrant groundcover, but the first time I heard it spoken aloud, years ago, I thought it would be a great name for a band or something. I’m glad someone else thought so, too.

Every Time I Die
(November 15, 2014) I like the uncertainty. It’s only four words, but the lack of punctuation leaves this phrase open to at least two interpretations. Is it merely an exaggeration of embarrassment, or does this character get multiple endings?

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in 2021 is 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 quarterly 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 first nine issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) releases March 23 and is now on pre-order! You can find all the details here.

Square Pig in a Round Hole-March 6, 2021

· 1 Comment ·

Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Square Pig in a Round Hole exists to reward 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 Seattle Times nightlife listings for abundant source material!

(Until live music returns, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #51

A new month and a new theme! A few weeks ago, my celebration of classic X and the Y band-name structure included Gnarlene and the Frisky Pigs, which reminded me of all the other pig names I’ve included over the years. There were enough for a whole post plus a bonus name! If you also love pigs, this list is for you. As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

Big Pig Apocalypse
(July 28, 2018) Uh oh, the pigs object to being launched. It’s all over now.

Noisy Pig
(November 19, 2011) Us pigs have to stick together.

Pig Destroyer
(September 10, 2011) Do they launch the pig? I just hope they’re not after square pigs …

Pig Snout
(January 13, 2015) Always happy to give a shout-out from one pig to another! Pig things make me happy, and there’s something arresting about putting the spotlight on just one part, as in the folk song, “The Sow Took the Measles” (as performed by Train Case). Then I find out this band is young kids, and the little sister is the drummer!!! And she sings, too. It’s like Your Mother Should Know if we’d started several decades earlier.

Pineapple Pig Storm
(May 28, 2016) That crazy dream after the luau …
(Also, all those p’s are just so fun to say.)

Rhythm Pigs
(November 26, 2011) Once again, us pigs gotta stick together. Do these pigs have rhythm, or are they hogging it from the rest of the barnyard?

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in 2021 is 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 quarterly 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 first nine issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

Shameless Self-Promotion: Death’s Midwife (Daughter of Magic Book 3) releases March 23 and is now on pre-order! You can find all the details here.