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 #62
At long last, we reach the final batch of fantasy/science-fiction themed band names, including a bonus sixth name to conclude this eight-week celebration. Be sure to come back next week as I pick a new theme! 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.
We Were Promised Jetpacks
(November 12, 2011) I have an enduring soft spot for the past’s vision of the future. We have near-instanteous global communication that some use to complain that we don’t have jetpacks and flying cars. Meanwhile, I have at least 10 household lasers and I’m typing on a tiny yet powerful computer connected wirelessly to every other computer in the house and to the Internet. I admit it — it’s the future.
Werebearcat
(May 21, 2011) Goofy fantasy element + fun to say = awesome name.
Wizard Apprentice
(July 15, 2017) This one scratches my fantasy reader/writer itch. It happens I’m writing a trilogy about a girl becoming a wizard, so I’m especially pleased to find the practitioner behind the name is a woman. [Update: my Daughter of Magic trilogy is complete as of this spring. Learn more here.]
Wizard Police
(November 19, 2014) I didn’t know nerdhop was even a thing, but I love it when I can grab the first band in the first show in the week’s listings. What kind of fantasy author would I be if I didn’t honor a wizard reference? It makes perfect sense that wizard crime would require a special force.
Wizard Rifle
(July 21, 2013) Now, that just seems unfair. Magic and firearms, too?
The Wizards Sleeve
(September 15, 2012) I’m always on the lookout for wizard references, and here’s a new one. That it’s just a sleeve, not the entire robe, amuses me. The resident gamers inform me that this is most likely a reference to an item in the game Dungeons of Dredmore. Who knew doing a blog would be so educational?
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.)
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 club listings for abundant source material!
Karen Eisenbrey 