Tag: dead leaf echo

Square Pig in a Round Hole-September 25, 2021

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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 listings return, I am curating retrospective posts from past material. Dates indicate when the band was originally featured.)

SQUARE PIG IN A ROUND HOLE PANDEMIC EDITION #79

Image shows Mt. Rainier against a clear blue sky with rocky trail in foreground.
Mt. Rainier from Pinnacle Saddle

The outdoorsy theme continues with a second collection of six band names–yes, a bonus name! I’m feeling generous because we did get to take our planned hike last Monday, in spite of a stormy weekend and some minor car trouble. (Minor in that it did not keep us from getting to our trailhead and did not keep us from getting home. It did cost money to fix, but not as much as we feared.) We should have a few more of these sunny fall days, so get out and enjoy them while you can!

As ever, wash your hands, wear your mask, get your vaccine if you haven’t already, and if you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch while we wait for a better day.

Coho Mountain String Ticklers
(January 13, 2013) “Tickle” is the perfect verb for how bluegrass players get sound out of their instruments, and also how this name affected me.

Dead Leaf Echo
(September 26, 2015) Perfect for autumn. If a leaf falls in the forest, does it make a sound, and does the sound have reverb? (A quick listen answers “yes.”)

Neither Bears nor Forest
(June 22, 2019) Weirdly poetic turn of phrase for something that isn’t what it purports to be.

Night Hikes
(January 12, 2019) Probably not a popular winter activity, though it gets dark so early, you could have your walk in the woods and get back to town before the first band finishes sound check.

Nonchalant Avalanche
(April 16, 2016) Slides down the mountain without a care in the world, elegant in n and ch sounds.

Pebble n the Crick
(July 29, 2017) Charming variation on classic X and the Y structure, made more so by the folksy phonetic spelling of creek. If that weren’t enough, the name implies frontperson and backing band but it’s a duo, my favorite size combo.

Two last things before you go:

  1. I am admin for 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. The July 2021 issue includes an excerpt from Barbara and the Rage Brigade. Who knows what might turn up in the October issue! (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)

Square Pig in a Round Hole-September 5, 2020

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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 #25

For the next couple of retrospective posts, I’m going with an end-of-summer/beginning-of-fall/back-to-school theme. Today’s also includes Labor Day. Best wishes and good vibes go out to Seattle Schools families, beginning the school year from home. Everybody, continue to 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.

Arbor Labor Union

(June 4, 2016) It’s an awkward mouthful, and I respect that, as well the right of the workers who keep our trees healthy to organize.

Dead Leaf Echo

(September 26, 2015) Perfect for autumn. If a leaf falls in the forest, does it make a sound, and does the sound have reverb? (A quick listen answers “yes.”)

Great Spiders

(September 29, 2012) Giant spider in the third act!

Ice Cream Socialists

(November 17, 2012) I think I’ve finally found my party. Frozen treats for the masses.

Longshot Academy

(August 15, 2015) I like the idea of a special school dedicated to underdogs, losers, and ne’er-do-wells who need one more chance to find their true path (and maybe start killer bands while they’re at it). It’s an idea that’s just crazy enough to work.

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 seven issues and subscribe here for future issues. (Or just follow the blog for your weekly dose of band names.)