Square Pig in a Round Hole-February 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 #50

 

I’ll open with a little 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. This book had an unusually long gestation even for me. It benefited from the extra years, but I am thrilled to see it finally getting into the world.

On to the band names! This is the final installment in my celebration of classic X and the Y band-name structure (though I will always be on the lookout for more when live music returns). 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.

Nick Shoulders and the Okay Crawdad
(July 6, 2019) This one appeals to my lifelong fondness for the word “crawdad” and I’m glad it is okay. Extra points for using classic X and the Y structure for an “occasional one-man band.”

Sweet Talkin’ Jones and the Muscletones
(February 23, 2013) I try not to play favorites, but this is my favorite [that week. –ed]. It has the classic X and the Y structure, and it takes the “-tones” trope in a punning direction. And it rhymes. (Broad hint).

Supply and the Man
(January 21, 2012) This one gets my attention for a bunch of reasons. It uses the classic “X and the Y” formula; it features a clever play on a familiar phrase that’s easy to miss unless you say it aloud; and it makes mention of “the Man,” that powerful figure to whom rock & roll wishes to stick it. Well done.

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats
(October 4, 2014) Classic X and the Y structure, with a psychedelic twist and a neat double meaning in the band’s name.

Wally and the Beaves
(November 16, 2013) This one combines classic X and the Y format with over-the-top nostalgia. Unless it’s nostalgia for nostalgia (always a possibility), these people must be even older than 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-February 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 #49

How’s everybody doing after our near nationwide snow event? Seattle shut down as usual, but only for a couple of days and most of that was a holiday weekend. Looking on the bright side, at least no shows were canceled! We had it much better than a lot of places, but I was just as glad to see the snow melt away before I had to drive anywhere. 

Meanwhile, the celebration of classic X and the Y band-name structure continues for another two weeks! Completely by chance, this week’s set has an animal theme. 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.

John Hamhock and the Rooster Run Band
(November 15, 2014) I love it when someone builds creatively on the classic X and the Y structure. All on his own, the frontman evokes a country-fried founding father, while the band evokes strutting, crowing confidence. Put them together and I think you can count on an enthusiastic and noisy good time.

Johnny and the Moles
(July 27, 2019) The sound from the underground. You can’t go wrong with classic X and the Y structure.

Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds
(May 16, 2015) It’s so great when somebody takes the classic X and the Y structure way over the top. Band and bandleader both have improbable cartoonish names that would be good on their own but are completely awesome together.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
I could not pass up the delightful rhymes and goofily grandiose imagery. (The resident gamers suspect this is also a reference to Elderscrolls, in which it is possible to play as a lizardperson who is a wizard. I am perfectly willing to believe this interpretation.)

Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs
(September 22, 2018) Classic X and the Y structure in perfect rural guise. And it is now or soon will be hunting season for various game birds in our state.

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-February 13, 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 #48

On this snowy Valentine’s Eve, I continue the celebration of togetherness with more band names in classic X and the Y structure. Keep warm and 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.

Gilbert Grape and the Trucknuts
(April 6, 2013) Classic X and the Y format, a few too many words, and apparent simultaneous references to a Johnny Depp movie and a breakfast cereal. What’s not to like?

Gnarlene and the Frisky Pigs
(June 14, 2014) I’m always on the lookout for creative use of the classic X and the Y structure. This combines an over-the-top front person’s name with an active and comical backing band name. These people are having all the fun.

Grace Love and the Haters
(July 12, 2014) I’m a perennial fan of the classic X and the Y naming structure. This takes it further by building a name out of virtues and pairing it with their opposite, setting up an interesting tension. Will hate overcome grace and love, or will grace and love redeem hate?

Indie and a Jones
(March 8, 2014) Wordplay and pop culture and the classic X and the Y structure? It’s like they know me. And I’m a big fan of Dr. Jones.

Jack and the Dull Boy
(August 3, 2019) I like this one both for the classic X and the Y structure and for the creepy literary reference. (It appears to be an actual two-piece, too. Not sure which one is Jack, but their demo is not dull.)

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in the new year 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-February 6, 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 #47

The celebration of a classic band-name structure continues! While we still can’t gather or go out to shows, there are abundant X and the Y band names to evoke togetherness in clever, funny, even poetic ways. 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.

Dinner and a Suit
(April 6, 2013) Starts out sounding like a nice date, ends up as a lame game-show prize. Or a really tiny inheritance.

Dr. Drug and the Possible Side Effects
(May 11, 2013) Classic X and the Y structure + household phrase = instant party. Sounds like a high old time.

Falty and the Defects
(July 26, 2014) This one combines two favorites: classic X and the Y structure and Northwest loser pride.

Fox and the Law
(August 18, 2012) Speaking of fables, here’s a good title. What’s the moral?

The Funeral and the Twilight
(August 18, 2012) A tiny poem about times of poignant farewell, to a loved one, to the day. 

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in the new year 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-January 30, 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 #46

In which I continue the celebration of classic X and the Y band-naming structure. I find it interesting that this durable format is also popular in other media, such as middle-grade fiction and adventure films. I nearly titled my first novel Invisible Girl and the Magic Hat before deciding it might seem aimed at a younger demographic than I wanted to reach. The Gospel According to St. Rage probably doesn’t appeal to teens any better, but I’m not changing it. And for the sequel, I went with Barbara and the Rage Brigade, so what do I know? 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.

Brianna Skye & the Dark Clouds
(March 3, 2018) I’m a perennial fan of classic X and the Y structure, especially when there’s clever or poetic connection between the name of the band leader and the name of the band. By happy coincidence, my garage-rock fairy tale The Gospel According to St Rage includes an important character named Storm Skye. I wonder if they’re related.

Catfish and the Bottlemen
(February 14, 2015) Classic X and the Y structure, but the frontperson is a (possibly fictional) character. I also can’t help thinking the Bottlemen might want to hang out in the Alestorm [featured February 14, 2015].

Charlie and the Foxtrots
(March 22, 2014) I keep trying to learn the NATO phonetic alphabet; Charlie and Foxtrot are the only letters I consistently remember. That, plus the classic X and the Y structure, makes this a winner.

Connie & the Precious Moments
(December 13, 2014) I’m a perennial fan of the classic X and the Y structure, especially when there’s some clever twist to one or both parts. Nothing could be further from rock and roll than sentimental figurines. I have my own fraught relationship with Precious Moments, having received a set of four PM mugs as a wedding gift. We were not particularly sorry when some of them broke, but after 28 years, one remains and may outlive us all. [Update: it did not survive.]

Daddy Treetops and the Howlin’ Tomcats
(June 9, 2012) A good old “X and the Y” construction taken over the top. It’s not just tomcats, it’s howlin’ tomcats; it’s not just some guy, it’s a guy with a wonderful nickname. And I always like a good cat reference.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in the new year 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-January 23, 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 #45

Time for a new theme! In writing this blog for more than a decade, it has become clear that there are a few band name formats that will never go out of style. One of the most durable is the classic X and the Y structure. A search of the vault provided enough material for weeks! 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.

Angelo Delsenno and the Empty Sky
(August 18, 2012) The usual “frontperson and the band” formulation, but it could as easily be a solo act with a tongue-in-cheek name. Either way, Empty Sky is a grand and poignant name.

Baby and the Nobodies
(April 5, 2014) Two of my favorite things: the classic X and the Y structure, with our characteristic Northwest loser pride.

The Bard and the Liar
(August 18, 2012) As if they were not different names for the same thing. Storytellers and poets tell the truth by making stuff up. And I love me an unreliable narrator!

Bones and the Falderalls
(May 3, 2014) I’m a big fan of the classic X and the Y structure anyway, but this goes that extra couple of steps over the top, where X=a colorful nickname and Y=an old-timey term of the sort we don’t see enough of these days. You know these folks are having all the fun and will share generously.

Brian Lee and the Orbiters
(November 24, 2018) Music gives us the power to achieve escape velocity and view the world from a higher perspective.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in the new year 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-January 16, 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 #44

It helps me in these uneasy, transitional times to recall that my politics were shaped by Walt Kelly’s Pogo comic strip, which made equal-opportunity fun of all parties but came down particularly hard on authoritarians and bullies. The swamp critters (a community of anthropomorphized alligators, bears, beavers, groundhogs, opossums, owls, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, turtles, and more) came together every four years to throw Pogo Possum’s hat into the ring (against his will, sometimes with him still in it). If asked, I Go Pogo, and offer here a Pogo-themed assortment of 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.

Acapulco Lips
(February 2, 2013) On the page, it looks like silly nonsense, but has to be read aloud to really sink in. On top of the wordplay (for me, at least), it brings to mind Walt Kelly’s Pogo strip, in which “Octawocktapockers done got Albert!”

Alabaster
(October 5, 2013) I don’t know what they were intending, but as a Pogo fan of long standing, I can’t help thinking of Albert Alligator’s adorable little nephew Alabaster, and his pal Rackety Coon Chile. And so I smile.

Lumphead
(January 21, 2017) A truly Pogoesque insult or endearment.

Puddle City Opossums
(December 28, 2013) This has both downhome folksiness and good poetic/syllabic structure. As an old Pogo fan, I’m happy to honor these possums. Puddle City is an excellent Seattle nickname, too.

Trampled By Turtles
(September 8, 2012) I love this image, because of the slow speed. Anything heavy enough to do any damage, you could just roll out of the way. I picture some poor dude, passed out and engulfed by turtles.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in the new year 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-January 9, 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 #43

Well, that was a week. Had a kind of 2020 vibe to it, didn’t it? I scrapped my originally planned theme and went with something maybe a little more suitable. As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, try not to start a civil war, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

The Almost Faithful
(August 22, 2015) This implies that fidelity is on a scale, with “only cheated a little bit” and “almost faithful” on the line from unfaithful to faithful. Or perhaps this is the congregation that makes it as far as the church door but not quite all the way inside.

Expired Logic
(June 13, 2015) Ways of thinking that used to work are no longer valid. It’s time for fresh ideas! (I also like their expressed genre, sci-fi punk!)

Head for the Hills
(November 12, 2016) There’s a temptation to run and hide, but where would we go? This is our circus; those are our monkeys.

Shot on Site
(June 13, 2015) Here we have a tidy little pun that alludes to knee-jerk violence and location camera work in three short words.

somesurprises
(August 22, 2015) It showed up in the paper as two words, but I like it even better run together, all lowercase. Unusual enough to be some surprise without overwhelming the senses. It creeps up.

Two last things before you go:

  1. My new thing in the new year 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-January 2, 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 #42

New Year Greetings! I’m leery of wishing a “happy” new year after 2020, but I will offer a hope that this year is better than the last one. It’s also the Ninth Day of Christmas, and the celebration continues with more festive holiday-themed 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.

Glacier Veins
(December 12, 2015) Not exactly festive, but ice and cold are seasonal (some years). You’d have to have glacier veins not to be moved by the tale of the gentle bender, or perhaps by a sentimental old carol.

Hans Gruber and the Die Hards
(January 18, 2020) Gotta respect a band that uses classic X and the Y structure to refer to a pop culture icon in a different medium. Yippee ki yay and Merry Christmas.

Sacred Signs
(December 19, 2015) The carol “Love Came Down at Christmas” includes this puzzling line: “Worship we our Jesus: But wherewith for sacred sign?” I’ve never really understood what Christina Rossetti meant by that, but it’s always a line I look forward to singing because when else do I get to say “wherewith”?

season of strangers 
(December 12, 2015) My husband was sure the sentimental old carol “Dear Little Stranger” was a favorite beloved of all. So far, we haven’t found anyone else who knows it, including me. But this is the season to welcome strangers who can’t find room at the inn.

Several Other Ghosts
(January 11, 2020) Too late to visit Scrooge on Christmas Eve, they find themselves at loose ends, available for hauntings, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and children’s parties.

 

One last thing before you go: 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 eight issues and subscribe here for future issues–the next one comes out next week! (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)