Because Seattle cleverly outsourced our winter to the East Coast this year, it's been springlike for weeks, but now it's spring for real. This calls for celebration! Get out there and bring some joy to a bar band at a club near you!
Dog Party
Around this house, we love and revere P. D. Eastman's Go Dog Go, a limited-vocabulary guide to how to pick up girls. It concludes in an epic dog party in a tree. I like that party hat! I like that band name!
Millhous
Stranger than Nixon
It's not every week I see two band names with a Nixon connection, so I'm grouping these two together. "Stranger than Nixon" looks moderately amusing on paper, but its genius is revealed when spoken aloud (along with an implication that Nixon might be a little bit fictional.) As a little kid who knew next to nothing about politics, I thought his middle name was pretty strange, although that turns about to be the least weird thing about him.
Nowhere Near Nashville
I have to celebrate this much alliteration, as well as the literal truth about this outfit from a different -ville: Marysville, WA. Music of any genre can come from anywhere.
Problem with Dragons
I love the offhand way this diminishes terrifying and destructive creatures to the level of rodents or a leaky roof. Even so, with this kind of infestation, you'd better hope your pest control outfit has a wizard on staff.
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club.
This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is
short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please
like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
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, March 21, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
March 14, 2015
Kap'n Crunch & the Cereal Killers
They really had fun with this one: classic X and the Y structure, breakfast-time nostalgia, a pun, and the initialism -- KCCK -- is a palindrome!
Kool Keith
I like this name for personal reasons: I married a Keith who I think is pretty cool. It's also the second one this week to respell a C word with a K, which I approve.
Lightning Kills Eagle
This could be a Native American myth or a headline on a slow news day.
Noisepoetnobody
This one's a poem, noisy with letters run together.
Teen Cat
Teens are hip to pop culture and cats are cool, so there are lots of good rock & roll associations. On the other hand, felines mature so quickly that they barely have an adolescence. An actual cat in its teens is mature to elderly. (I was pleased to see that Teen Cat is a guitar-and-drum duo with a woman drummer, just like Your Mother Should Know!)
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
March 7, 2015
Square Pig faves Acapulco Lips, Pouch, and Power Skeleton are all playing tonight (not together, but wouldn't that be a killer lineup?) but I'm missing it all for the opera. All I can say is, Handel better be worth it. Meanwhile, here's five new favorites:
Field Mouse
I am reminded of my mom. House mice freaked her out, but she thought the outdoor variety (she called them meadow mice) were cute. There was even a poster of one on the fridge. But if a cat brought one indoors, forget it.
Flyleaf
Literary in a literal and very particular way.
Little Fixtures
Maybe it's my diminutive size, but I'm drawn to names with "little" in them. I like how in this case, it's paired with something solid and permanent. There's also the added attraction of a neat little off-rhyme.
The Shaken Growlers
I can easily believe this name grew out of an unfortunate incident bringing beer home from the bottle shop. Promises an exuberant, messy time.
Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat
I have to respect a band that chose a name most people can't say fast, even sober. (These guys actually are on the same bill with Power Skeleton tonight.)
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
Field Mouse
I am reminded of my mom. House mice freaked her out, but she thought the outdoor variety (she called them meadow mice) were cute. There was even a poster of one on the fridge. But if a cat brought one indoors, forget it.
Flyleaf
Literary in a literal and very particular way.
Little Fixtures
Maybe it's my diminutive size, but I'm drawn to names with "little" in them. I like how in this case, it's paired with something solid and permanent. There's also the added attraction of a neat little off-rhyme.
The Shaken Growlers
I can easily believe this name grew out of an unfortunate incident bringing beer home from the bottle shop. Promises an exuberant, messy time.
Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat
I have to respect a band that chose a name most people can't say fast, even sober. (These guys actually are on the same bill with Power Skeleton tonight.)
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
February 28, 2015
This morning it was sunny and windy and felt like March already. OK, I guess that is tomorrow. February always ends suddenly -- too soon yet not soon enough. Don't want to jinx it, but I think we're safe from winter. To celebrate the turn of the calendar, how about some band names?
Bacon and Beer
The band for men. (Or breakfast of champions.)
Big Trughk
This one gets in for spelling. It perfectly conveys a guttural, phlegmy pronunciation that makes an ordinary vehicle intimidating.
Girls Love Rockets
Well, this one always did. From about the age of six, I thought it was pretty strange to assume female people weren't interested in space, space travel, science fiction, etc. Because who wouldn't be?
The Hex Dispensers
It's very convenient: just lift the head and a curse pellet comes out.
Sunken Rocketship
This seems somehow more disastrous than a regular sunken ship. A rocket has so much farther to sink.
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," now available as the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
Bacon and Beer
The band for men. (Or breakfast of champions.)
Big Trughk
This one gets in for spelling. It perfectly conveys a guttural, phlegmy pronunciation that makes an ordinary vehicle intimidating.
Girls Love Rockets
Well, this one always did. From about the age of six, I thought it was pretty strange to assume female people weren't interested in space, space travel, science fiction, etc. Because who wouldn't be?
The Hex Dispensers
It's very convenient: just lift the head and a curse pellet comes out.
Sunken Rocketship
This seems somehow more disastrous than a regular sunken ship. A rocket has so much farther to sink.
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," now available as the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
February 21, 2015
I find I've been refraining from mentioning on social media how it's effectively spring already in Seattle so as not to rub it in with my friends and family who are experiencing a winter of epic proportions. I don't want people to resent us -- or want to move here. Wait, they already do! If you're lucky enough to live here, take advantage of being able to go out without bundling up, maybe check out a band or three. These names popped out of the listings this week:
Mom's Rocket
It's a happy accident that "rocket" sounds like "rock it." This name also speaks to my personal family role and my sci-fi efforts. It may be fictional, but I do have a rocket.
Sorrow's Edge
Dark poetry in two words. I like that edge can imply a border or a blade, and it makes sense either way.
Strawberry Love Cat
Cheery and goofy, in that psychedelic way. I'm partial to cat names, too. (Check out their adorable logo).
Reagan Youth
I was young in the Reagan era. Still makes me squirm.
Ultra Violent Rays
Worst sunburn ever.
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," now available as the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
Mom's Rocket
It's a happy accident that "rocket" sounds like "rock it." This name also speaks to my personal family role and my sci-fi efforts. It may be fictional, but I do have a rocket.
Sorrow's Edge
Dark poetry in two words. I like that edge can imply a border or a blade, and it makes sense either way.
Strawberry Love Cat
Cheery and goofy, in that psychedelic way. I'm partial to cat names, too. (Check out their adorable logo).
Reagan Youth
I was young in the Reagan era. Still makes me squirm.
Ultra Violent Rays
Worst sunburn ever.
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," now available as the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
Saturday, February 14, 2015
February 14, 2015
Happy Valentine's Day! Even if you don't have a date tonight, go out and give a band some love! I'm feeling sweet on these five:
Alestorm
Remove an h sound and suddenly, rather than running for cover, people are running out into the storm with their mouths open. Hope nobody drowns, but what a way to go.
Blubber
What a versatile word -- both noun and verb, with completely unrelated meanings, yet self-descriptive in both cases. It sounds like uncontrollable sobbing, and it sounds like a gooshy layer of fat. Now it also sounds like this band.
Boots to the Moon
Have you seen that Photoshop of a cat crossing the path of an astronaut on the moon? That's Boots.
Catfish & the Bottlemen
Classic X and the Y structure, but the frontperson is a (possibly fictional) character. I also can't help thinking the Bottlemen might want to hang out in the Alestorm.
Giraffage
Those leaves from high up the tree will keep you regular.
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," now available as the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
Alestorm
Remove an h sound and suddenly, rather than running for cover, people are running out into the storm with their mouths open. Hope nobody drowns, but what a way to go.
Blubber
What a versatile word -- both noun and verb, with completely unrelated meanings, yet self-descriptive in both cases. It sounds like uncontrollable sobbing, and it sounds like a gooshy layer of fat. Now it also sounds like this band.
Boots to the Moon
Have you seen that Photoshop of a cat crossing the path of an astronaut on the moon? That's Boots.
Catfish & the Bottlemen
Classic X and the Y structure, but the frontperson is a (possibly fictional) character. I also can't help thinking the Bottlemen might want to hang out in the Alestorm.
Giraffage
Those leaves from high up the tree will keep you regular.
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," now available as the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
Saturday, February 7, 2015
February 7, 2015
As I turn my garage-rock short story "St. Rage" into a novel, I get to invent more fictional bands to populate the scene around St. Rage. I'm sure this early Square Pig post will come in handy, with such gems as Human Blood Rush and Sack o' Hamsters. Meanwhile, the real world is blessed with the likes of these:
For the Likes of You
Like an overheard fragment of conversation between strangers, this prepositional phrase cut off from its sentence is open to whatever backstory we feel like providing. A note of derision seems like a given.
Flu
'Tis the season. A reminder to disinfect those microphones and wash hands often.
Hardly Boys
The simple addition of one letter creates not just a pop-lit pun, but the perfect name for an all-girl band. If St. Rage weren't fictional, they'd be at this show.
Infesting Intestines
A clever rhyme that's also gross! Who could ask for anything more?
The Sky Rained Heroes
This has an epic tone. When things get really bad, you might want a team of heroes coming to the rescue. A rain of heroes, though, has the potential to turn into a too-many-cooks scenario in a big hurry, transforming that epic into comedy on a grand scale. (On a somewhat related note, the heroine of "St. Rage" has the satisfying but useless power of bringing down a rain of birdshit on whomever she flips the bird).
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," now available as the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
For the Likes of You
Like an overheard fragment of conversation between strangers, this prepositional phrase cut off from its sentence is open to whatever backstory we feel like providing. A note of derision seems like a given.
Flu
'Tis the season. A reminder to disinfect those microphones and wash hands often.
Hardly Boys
The simple addition of one letter creates not just a pop-lit pun, but the perfect name for an all-girl band. If St. Rage weren't fictional, they'd be at this show.
Infesting Intestines
A clever rhyme that's also gross! Who could ask for anything more?
The Sky Rained Heroes
This has an epic tone. When things get really bad, you might want a team of heroes coming to the rescue. A rain of heroes, though, has the potential to turn into a too-many-cooks scenario in a big hurry, transforming that epic into comedy on a grand scale. (On a somewhat related note, the heroine of "St. Rage" has the satisfying but useless power of bringing down a rain of birdshit on whomever she flips the bird).
My fiction and blogging projects collide in "St. Rage," now available as the 13th release in the Pankhearst Singles Club. This story of an all-girl teenage garage band with superpowers is short, it's funny, and it's only $ .99. If you like "St. Rage," please like St. Rage on Facebook and go listen to their first demo, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit."
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