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.)