Your Mother Should Know, the band for which I am drummer and sometime backup vocalist, has been working hard to prepare an unplugged set that will be part of a benefit concert at Prospect Congregational United Church of Christ, Saturday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m. Donations will help pay for the new stove, which is used to prepare daily lunch for a lot of very deserving preschoolers. Meanwhile, it's fun and educational to learn our songs in new arrangements.
These band names caught my eye this week:
Bonfire So-So
I assume this is a reference to Campfire OK, a past honoree in this blog. I'm a big fan of band names inspired by other band names. I also like this one on its own merits, because of the disconnect. How could anything as extravagant as a bonfire be only so-so?
Fake Shark Real Zombie
I saw Jaws when I was 11, only to discover too late that I was one of those younger children for whom the movie was too intense. When I finally saw it again as an adult, I laughed because the shark was so obviously fake. In the campy monster movie with the same name as this band, I would then turn around to confront a real zombie and either die of fright or somehow remove its head.
Jakalope
I always enjoyed seeing stuffed jackalopes in gift shops in Montana. That's how you knew you'd left our time zone.
Nucular Aminals
One of the resident gamers is playing a game set near Chernobyl, so this is timely. Spelling out the mispronunciation gives it a nice Cold-War edge.
Really Old Airplanes
It sounds like the answer to a question, anything from: "What did you see on your trip?" to "What do you collect?" Are they a waste of time or what makes life worth living?
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 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!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
January 21, 2012
OK, so that wasn't the greatest week for getting out to hear bands in Seattle, unless you could walk to a club. We hope to get out tomorrow to hear Triptet at Lucid. The snow and slush are melting fast, so we could even drive if we have to. These names tickled my fancy:
Dies Drear
This is perfect for Seattle in winter: not Dies Irae (Day of Wrath), but Dies Drear (Day of Low Clouds with Chance of Rain or Rain/Snow Mix and Dark by 5:00 P.M.). The aural pun secures it a place on the list.
The Fifth Wall
In theater, an actor breaks the fourth well by addressing the audience directly. The presence of a fifth wall implies that he could address another dimension. (Or maybe just the orchestra down in the pit, or that guy up in the flies).
If Bears Were Bees
I can't imagine much honey would get made, bears being solitary critturs and all. They certainly wouldn't leave any for the rest of us.
A Lull
I like this because it's the opposite of what you find at most rock shows. Any lull in the proceedings gets filled with noise. A little space allows the music to make even more impact.
Supply and the Man
This one gets my attention for a bunch of reasons. It uses the classic "X and the Y" formula; it features a clever play on a familiar phrase that's easy to miss unless you say it aloud; and it makes mention of "the Man," that powerful figure to whom rock & roll wishes to stick it. Well done.
Dies Drear
This is perfect for Seattle in winter: not Dies Irae (Day of Wrath), but Dies Drear (Day of Low Clouds with Chance of Rain or Rain/Snow Mix and Dark by 5:00 P.M.). The aural pun secures it a place on the list.
The Fifth Wall
In theater, an actor breaks the fourth well by addressing the audience directly. The presence of a fifth wall implies that he could address another dimension. (Or maybe just the orchestra down in the pit, or that guy up in the flies).
If Bears Were Bees
I can't imagine much honey would get made, bears being solitary critturs and all. They certainly wouldn't leave any for the rest of us.
A Lull
I like this because it's the opposite of what you find at most rock shows. Any lull in the proceedings gets filled with noise. A little space allows the music to make even more impact.
Supply and the Man
This one gets my attention for a bunch of reasons. It uses the classic "X and the Y" formula; it features a clever play on a familiar phrase that's easy to miss unless you say it aloud; and it makes mention of "the Man," that powerful figure to whom rock & roll wishes to stick it. Well done.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
January 14, 2012
Did anyone else notice that Friday the 13th fell on a Friday this month? It's too late now to hide under the bed, so you might as well go out -- weather permitting! Here are some bands to consider:
The Awfully Sudden Death of Martha G.
This sounds like an Edward Gorey caption, or else the title of a Lemony Snicket novel. Why does the addition of "awfully" make Martha's sudden death seem less terrible, or at least more refined?
The Bourbonites
Preferable by far to being a suburbanite. (And also indirectly connected to last week's whiskey theme).
Frost Giants
I'm a big fan of Norse mythology, so this gets my vote. I wonder if there's a duo out there called Thor & Loki.
A Lot Like Birds
What's a lot like birds besides other birds? Dunno -- the appeal is in the mystery. I also like that they're on the same bill with Just Like Vinyl.
Spaceneedles
Local flavor all over the place! The plural cracks me up -- how could there be more than one? Running the words together makes it look almost unfamiliar.
The Awfully Sudden Death of Martha G.
This sounds like an Edward Gorey caption, or else the title of a Lemony Snicket novel. Why does the addition of "awfully" make Martha's sudden death seem less terrible, or at least more refined?
The Bourbonites
Preferable by far to being a suburbanite. (And also indirectly connected to last week's whiskey theme).
Frost Giants
I'm a big fan of Norse mythology, so this gets my vote. I wonder if there's a duo out there called Thor & Loki.
A Lot Like Birds
What's a lot like birds besides other birds? Dunno -- the appeal is in the mystery. I also like that they're on the same bill with Just Like Vinyl.
Spaceneedles
Local flavor all over the place! The plural cracks me up -- how could there be more than one? Running the words together makes it look almost unfamiliar.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
January 7, 2012
I had already chosen my list when I noticed that the week seemed to have a theme. These bands are all playing in the next few days: Whiskey Syndicate, Sunday Evening Whiskey Club, Whiskey Swillers, and Weatherside Whiskey Band. Is the year already such a trial? Anyway, here are my picks:
Deception Past
I like the reference to a fabulously-named (and personal favorite) geographic feature, with a little tweak to make it about yesterday's lies.
Ever-So-Android
Effete meets SF.
The Gargle Blasters
I cannot fail to honor this reference to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I'm surprised I hadn't done it already.
Lights On Why
For safety, of course. The lack of punctuation adds a nice ambiguity. Is it a question? A demand? A bit of dialogue?
The Table of Contents
Brave to name your band for the dullest (usually) part of the book.
Deception Past
I like the reference to a fabulously-named (and personal favorite) geographic feature, with a little tweak to make it about yesterday's lies.
Ever-So-Android
Effete meets SF.
The Gargle Blasters
I cannot fail to honor this reference to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I'm surprised I hadn't done it already.
Lights On Why
For safety, of course. The lack of punctuation adds a nice ambiguity. Is it a question? A demand? A bit of dialogue?
The Table of Contents
Brave to name your band for the dullest (usually) part of the book.
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