Naming a band is an act of concentrated creative expression. Since 2010, Square Pig in a Round Hole has been rewarding 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 and The Stranger nightlife listings for abundant source material!

I don’t mind “marching forth” on the first day of my vacation to celebrate band names. That never feels like work. And the first half of the vacation will be pretty low key–I might even get some yard work in, if it stops raining for a minute. For the second half, I will be attending the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference, right here in beautiful Seattle. So I get to sleep in my own bed, but I can’t guarantee I’ll get a blog written next Saturday.

If you are able, please buy these bands’ music and merch. And … hit the follow button at the lower right to never miss a post!

Family Mystic
Someone you can discuss spirituality and metaphysics with and never leave home.

The Hallowed Catharsis
How you deal with pity and fear when you double-majored in Classics and Religion. Blessed release.

Screen Frogs
When the weather is weird enough to bring a rain of amphibians, you might find them clinging outside your windows.

Twiddle
Keeping hands busy while daydreaming the next creative gem. (This kind of productive time-wasting reminds me of Not A Pipe Publishing‘s “Writers Not Writing” podcast. Check it out here.)

Waves Crashing
It’s about sound in two different ways!

Two last things before you go:

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