The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, the gardens are growing, the bands are playing. It must be May in Seattle! By way of reminder, tomorrow is Mother's Day, so if your mother is living, at least call her; she worries.
On with the business at hand:
Dog Fashion Disco
Imagine the dog party at the end of Go Dog Go, but with more glitz and a mirror ball. I like that party hat!
DJ Dyl Widdit
The spelling disguises this as a believable if slightly odd name, but spoken aloud, it becomes a command (with a particular regional inflection) to stop complaining and get on with things.
Reptilian Children
Ssnackss
These two are on the same bill and seem to genuinely belong together -- the latter is what the former beg for in the grocery store.
Voltanic
Amazing what happens with the substitution of one letter -- suggestions of lightning and lava, with more than a hint of the infernal.
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, May 9, 2015
Saturday, May 2, 2015
May 2, 2015
I hope all the boaters remembered their sunscreen on this bright and shiny Opening Day. If not, they might want to recover by sitting in a dark bar with a cold brew and some loud music. Here's this week's handful of names that caught my eye:
Barb Wire Dolls
Takes the vapid fashion doll in a decidedly punk direction. Do not toy with her or you will lose some skin.
The Earwigs
I have a love/hate relationship with earwigs. On the one hand, they chew up my roses and pinch. On the other hand, they look as weird as their name. (A couple decades ago, we had earwigs living in our gate. Our then-two-year-old watched them with great fascination and cute utterances, to the point where I learned to draw an earwig so I could make a little picture book for him -- even though I really can't draw.)
Ghost of Paul Revere
We've just lost Jack Ely and Ben E. King, but this reminds me that we also lost Paul Revere not so long ago. OK, they probably didn't name their band for that Paul Revere, but still . . .
Kangaroo Boy
Have we wandered into tabloid news territory, or does he just have big pockets?
Sci-Fi Fantasy Horror
I'm not a fan of genre classification, but I admit this is my default section of the bookstore and where any books of mine would likely be shelved. Is there such a thing as "Speculative Rock"?
Barb Wire Dolls
Takes the vapid fashion doll in a decidedly punk direction. Do not toy with her or you will lose some skin.
The Earwigs
I have a love/hate relationship with earwigs. On the one hand, they chew up my roses and pinch. On the other hand, they look as weird as their name. (A couple decades ago, we had earwigs living in our gate. Our then-two-year-old watched them with great fascination and cute utterances, to the point where I learned to draw an earwig so I could make a little picture book for him -- even though I really can't draw.)
Ghost of Paul Revere
We've just lost Jack Ely and Ben E. King, but this reminds me that we also lost Paul Revere not so long ago. OK, they probably didn't name their band for that Paul Revere, but still . . .
Kangaroo Boy
Have we wandered into tabloid news territory, or does he just have big pockets?
Sci-Fi Fantasy Horror
I'm not a fan of genre classification, but I admit this is my default section of the bookstore and where any books of mine would likely be shelved. Is there such a thing as "Speculative Rock"?
Saturday, April 25, 2015
April 25, 2015
Way back on Monday, when Seattle was enjoying a foretaste of May, there was talk of taking a picnic to Mt. Rainier on Saturday. Yeah, right. April weather has a funny way with plans like that. We'll stay in town and make our own fun. There are lots of bands who want to help with that:
Damage Bouquet
This name brings into close proximity two words that shouldn't have anything to do with each other, but once introduced, suggest any number of scenarios. Is this the flowers you send the person harmed by your wreckage? The flowers you use to smack the person who done you wrong? Or is it the sweet smell of brokenness brought into the open?
Gerbil Turds
Tiny shit, but shit nonetheless. Juvenile on the surface, but with thoughtful poetic assonance.
Post Adolescence
The whole rest of your life. Childhood and adolescence are so full of change and seem to take so long that it's hard to believe they represent such a small percentage of the years allotted most of us. So much drama in the prologue. Then the story really begins.
The Soft Moon
This one really is made of cheese.
Thistopia
Create your ideal world, right here, right now. The realm of God is at hand.
Damage Bouquet
This name brings into close proximity two words that shouldn't have anything to do with each other, but once introduced, suggest any number of scenarios. Is this the flowers you send the person harmed by your wreckage? The flowers you use to smack the person who done you wrong? Or is it the sweet smell of brokenness brought into the open?
Gerbil Turds
Tiny shit, but shit nonetheless. Juvenile on the surface, but with thoughtful poetic assonance.
Post Adolescence
The whole rest of your life. Childhood and adolescence are so full of change and seem to take so long that it's hard to believe they represent such a small percentage of the years allotted most of us. So much drama in the prologue. Then the story really begins.
The Soft Moon
This one really is made of cheese.
Thistopia
Create your ideal world, right here, right now. The realm of God is at hand.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
April 18, 2015
Having survived Beepocalypse 2015, we head into a weekend that looks like a foretaste of May. Best wishes to the surviving bees, their heroic keepers, and the blueberries to be pollinated. If you see a bee at your barbecue, keep calm and think of produce. Then go inside and hear some music. There's no shortage, even if most of the outstanding names came up last night.
420 and the Shroomers
Almost too easy, but sometimes that's why I like 'em. This is an appropriate nom de gig for an early celebration of 4/20, AKA Weed Day.
BitchSchool
Remedial lessons for those of us who don't come by it naturally.
Bubblegum Octopus
Goofy sweet weirdness.
Harvard of the South
I was drawn to this as an alumna of the University of Puget Sound, the so-called "Harvard of the West." I never really understood the Ivy League envy, but as a band name, it has a grandiose splendor. Also, the video for their song "Miracle" is clever and lovely, and includes toy trains and horses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRmrVjOYs4E
Kind of Like Spitting
Either mild affection for, or modest similarity to, expectoration. Immature either way, and I have to respect that.
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 demos, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit" and "Half a Bus Closer to Home."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
420 and the Shroomers
Almost too easy, but sometimes that's why I like 'em. This is an appropriate nom de gig for an early celebration of 4/20, AKA Weed Day.
BitchSchool
Remedial lessons for those of us who don't come by it naturally.
Bubblegum Octopus
Goofy sweet weirdness.
Harvard of the South
I was drawn to this as an alumna of the University of Puget Sound, the so-called "Harvard of the West." I never really understood the Ivy League envy, but as a band name, it has a grandiose splendor. Also, the video for their song "Miracle" is clever and lovely, and includes toy trains and horses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRmrVjOYs4E
Kind of Like Spitting
Either mild affection for, or modest similarity to, expectoration. Immature either way, and I have to respect that.
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 demos, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit" and "Half a Bus Closer to Home."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
April 11, 2015
Time to go into the vault and revisit some favorites from Square Pig's third year! As before, I'm picking from the categories "Hands-Down Brilliant" and "Have Been on a Bill with Your Mother Should Know." Instead of limiting myself to five, I'm picking one per month; they're in chronological rather than alphabetical order.
Hands-Down Brilliant
(From 11/10/12)
Two Cow Garage
We already have backyard chickens and goats in Seattle. This is the next logical step.
(From 12/22/12)
Chin Up Rocky
Hokey-smoke! A Bullwinkle reference!
(From 1/20/13)
Lo' There Do I See My Brother
Formal and old-fashioned and too many words -- everything I love in a band name.
(From 2/2/13)
Acapulco Lips
I was sorry to miss Red Ribbon's show at the Rendezvous last week, moreso when I learned the name of the opening act. On the page, it looks like silly nonsense, but has to be read aloud to really sink in. On top of the wordplay (for me, at least), it brings to mind Walt Kelly's Pogo strip, in which "Octawocktapockers done got Albert!"
(From 3/16/13)
Something in the Trees
I love the mystery here. Is it a good something or a bad something? Is it among the trees, or actually in them? Who will go check? (Also, I have it on good authority that this group includes some fraction of The Tailenders, a past Square Pig favorite).
(From 4/13/13)
Inkiest Eels
I try not to play favorites, but this week, this is my favorite. This bizarre word pairing sounds like the title of some weird children's book that I would love to get my hands on. The assonance of all those long-e sounds also makes it a delight to say.
(From 5/11/13)
Western Red Penguins
This goes off in a completely unexpected direction but still sounds for a moment like a real thing. A composer friend has invented birds, complete with names and calls. Wonder what she'd do with this one.
(From 6/29/13)
I couldn't believe I hadn't done this name already. It has the obvious sludgy, undead association, but then you say it out loud and it sounds like something completely different. They keep being on bills with friends of YMSK, so I'm bound to hear them before long.
(From 7/6/13)
Special Explosion District
Anywhere on July 4?
(from 8/10/13)
L'orchestre D'incroyable
'nuff said. The Rhine floods, Valhalla burns, but the orchestra always has the last word.
(From 9/28/13)
Bugs
Magpies
Tacos
I'm a big fan of really long band names, but I also have a soft spot for the one-word type. I like these three plural nouns without the definite article. One of these things is not like the others, but I suppose somebody somewhere would make a taco out of bugs and/or magpies.
(From 10/19/13)
Skunk Rider
Whether hero or villain, this character must have very short legs and no sense of smell. Probably not afraid to use chemical weapons.
Been on a Bill with Your Mother Should Know
(From 10/12/13)
Dead Bars
I'm surprised I haven't included this one already, though I have referenced them a couple times. I actually know the story behind the name, which grew out of drinking in bars where there was no energy or excitement, nothing going on but drinking and thinking. If these guys are playing, the venue is automatically not a dead bar anymore.
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 demos, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit" and "Half a Bus Closer to Home."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
Hands-Down Brilliant
(From 11/10/12)
Two Cow Garage
We already have backyard chickens and goats in Seattle. This is the next logical step.
(From 12/22/12)
Chin Up Rocky
Hokey-smoke! A Bullwinkle reference!
(From 1/20/13)
Lo' There Do I See My Brother
Formal and old-fashioned and too many words -- everything I love in a band name.
(From 2/2/13)
Acapulco Lips
I was sorry to miss Red Ribbon's show at the Rendezvous last week, moreso when I learned the name of the opening act. On the page, it looks like silly nonsense, but has to be read aloud to really sink in. On top of the wordplay (for me, at least), it brings to mind Walt Kelly's Pogo strip, in which "Octawocktapockers done got Albert!"
(From 3/16/13)
Something in the Trees
I love the mystery here. Is it a good something or a bad something? Is it among the trees, or actually in them? Who will go check? (Also, I have it on good authority that this group includes some fraction of The Tailenders, a past Square Pig favorite).
(From 4/13/13)
Inkiest Eels
I try not to play favorites, but this week, this is my favorite. This bizarre word pairing sounds like the title of some weird children's book that I would love to get my hands on. The assonance of all those long-e sounds also makes it a delight to say.
(From 5/11/13)
Western Red Penguins
This goes off in a completely unexpected direction but still sounds for a moment like a real thing. A composer friend has invented birds, complete with names and calls. Wonder what she'd do with this one.
(From 6/29/13)
I couldn't believe I hadn't done this name already. It has the obvious sludgy, undead association, but then you say it out loud and it sounds like something completely different. They keep being on bills with friends of YMSK, so I'm bound to hear them before long.
(From 7/6/13)
Special Explosion District
Anywhere on July 4?
(from 8/10/13)
L'orchestre D'incroyable
'nuff said. The Rhine floods, Valhalla burns, but the orchestra always has the last word.
(From 9/28/13)
Bugs
Magpies
Tacos
I'm a big fan of really long band names, but I also have a soft spot for the one-word type. I like these three plural nouns without the definite article. One of these things is not like the others, but I suppose somebody somewhere would make a taco out of bugs and/or magpies.
(From 10/19/13)
Skunk Rider
Whether hero or villain, this character must have very short legs and no sense of smell. Probably not afraid to use chemical weapons.
Been on a Bill with Your Mother Should Know
(From 10/12/13)
Dead Bars
I'm surprised I haven't included this one already, though I have referenced them a couple times. I actually know the story behind the name, which grew out of drinking in bars where there was no energy or excitement, nothing going on but drinking and thinking. If these guys are playing, the venue is automatically not a dead bar anymore.
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 demos, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit" and "Half a Bus Closer to Home."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
April 4, 2015
The Seattle music scene continues as a hotbed of creativity, even in the face of gentrification and venue closures. Last weekend, we witnessed examples of this DIY spirit as not one but two bands, Canals of Venice and Bicycle Face, presented mini-musicals. You don't need a big theater or a rich producer if you have a friendly venue, a few costumes and props, yourself as the pit band, and the will to pull it off. Kudos to all concerned!
And it goes without saying that creativity spills over into the band names:
Bicycle Face
The initial appeal was the sheer silly awkwardness, even before I learned this was an actual Victorian medical diagnosis. Supposedly the faces of female cyclists were in danger of sticking in a pop-eyed grimace. (No coincidence that Bicycle Face's mini-musical "Pants!" concerns the scandal of cycling in bloomers.)
Comedy of Terrors
The simple addition of one letter takes you from Shakespearean farce to B-movie horror; so bad it's funny.
Hello Nowhere
This belongs with one of my favorite lines in children's literature, "Good night, nobody," found on an unillustrated page in the classic Good Night, Moon. Or else it's what you say when you stare into the abyss and invite it to stare back.
Insuburban Avenue
This play on a street name (I assume Interurban Ave.) suggests rock & roll rebellion (insubordination) and escape from the suburbs.
The Pro-nouns
Is this name standing in for the actual name of this band? The hyphen suggests nouns that have given up their amateur status. (This also reminds me of two siblings who swapped genders; I suggested they start a band called Pronoun Trouble. They have yet to take me up on it.)
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 demos, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit" and "Half a Bus Closer to Home."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
And it goes without saying that creativity spills over into the band names:
Bicycle Face
The initial appeal was the sheer silly awkwardness, even before I learned this was an actual Victorian medical diagnosis. Supposedly the faces of female cyclists were in danger of sticking in a pop-eyed grimace. (No coincidence that Bicycle Face's mini-musical "Pants!" concerns the scandal of cycling in bloomers.)
Comedy of Terrors
The simple addition of one letter takes you from Shakespearean farce to B-movie horror; so bad it's funny.
Hello Nowhere
This belongs with one of my favorite lines in children's literature, "Good night, nobody," found on an unillustrated page in the classic Good Night, Moon. Or else it's what you say when you stare into the abyss and invite it to stare back.
Insuburban Avenue
This play on a street name (I assume Interurban Ave.) suggests rock & roll rebellion (insubordination) and escape from the suburbs.
The Pro-nouns
Is this name standing in for the actual name of this band? The hyphen suggests nouns that have given up their amateur status. (This also reminds me of two siblings who swapped genders; I suggested they start a band called Pronoun Trouble. They have yet to take me up on it.)
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 demos, "Huge Guy in the Mosh Pit" and "Half a Bus Closer to Home."
I play drums in a band called Your Mother Should Know. Our album Rocks and Glass is available now on Bandcamp.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
March 28, 2015
How cool is it that The Sonics got written up in The New Yorker? And they're playing next Thursday with Mudhoney at the Moore -- killer lineup of killer lineups! That's only one of many great shows I'm likely to miss this week, though I hope to get out Sunday for Canals of Venice's mini-musical, Martha Jane.
Meanwhile, these names stood out from the crowd:
!!! (Chk Chk Chk)
A sound effect spelled with punctuation is already pretty great, but including the translation is a nice courtesy. "Chk chk chk" is exactly the processed hi-hat sound used in dance music since the disco era.
Butterflies of Death
You've no doubt heard that a butterfly flapping its wings can lead to a hurricane on the other side of the world. Specifically, these butterflies.
Craft Spells
Artisanal magic from hipster witches.
Hippo Campus
I have long imagined a Sandra Boynton cartoon of a college for hippos. Now they have a band to play for their house parties.
The Velvet Teen
Once seen, it seems so obvious, but somehow I never noticed that "velveteen" has the word "teen" embedded in it. Will this kid become Real as the fuzz gets loved off?
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.
Meanwhile, these names stood out from the crowd:
!!! (Chk Chk Chk)
A sound effect spelled with punctuation is already pretty great, but including the translation is a nice courtesy. "Chk chk chk" is exactly the processed hi-hat sound used in dance music since the disco era.
Butterflies of Death
You've no doubt heard that a butterfly flapping its wings can lead to a hurricane on the other side of the world. Specifically, these butterflies.
Craft Spells
Artisanal magic from hipster witches.
Hippo Campus
I have long imagined a Sandra Boynton cartoon of a college for hippos. Now they have a band to play for their house parties.
The Velvet Teen
Once seen, it seems so obvious, but somehow I never noticed that "velveteen" has the word "teen" embedded in it. Will this kid become Real as the fuzz gets loved off?
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.
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