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 #63
I’m celebrating an almost summer-like holiday weekend by kicking off a new theme: Northwest Loser Pride. It should come as a surprise to no one that there is enough material for several 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.
The Aimlows
(December 10, 2011) This one has great slacker cred. I like the celebration of low expectations.
Cape Disappointment
(September 9, 2017) The place names around here reveal that Northwest loser pride goes way back.
Decent at Best
(January 14, 2017) Like music or literature, band names fall into various genres. I would put this one under Northwest Loser Pride (a personal favorite). Whether honest assessment or an attempt to keep expectations low, this lets everybody off the hook.
Failure Anthem
(November 12, 2016) I’m no stranger to losing. This feels different. This one also speaks to Northwest Loser Pride, which I will always celebrate. I even wrote the anthem:
Five Alarm Funk
(September 6, 2014) As much as I appreciate northwest loser pride, I also love when a group has the confidence to own how hot they are.
Two last things before you go:
- 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.
- 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.)
Karen Eisenbrey 