November 24, 2012

Post-Thanksgiving, I continue to give thanks for live music in general, the local scene in particular, and especially for my own fellow performers. And for the steadfast love and support of my family, especially the generation of my parents, aunts and uncles. As this protective layer is being eroded by death, I feel grateful and prepared for whatever the universe plans to dish out. We lost my Uncle Jim this week, a smart, talented, and warmhearted man. We never persuaded him over to the rock & roll side of things, but he appreciated as much as I do humor, wordplay, and making music with your friends. So here's to him.


Dreamwreck
When your dreams leave you high and dry, start a band and go off to dream again.


Midnight Salvage Co.
I didn't think of this when I made my selections, but this one goes nicely with the previous entry. I had thought this referred to some kind of illicit activity, but perhaps they're saving what they can out of wrecked dreams. (Full disclosure: I believe at least some members share my alma mater, the University of Puget Sound).

More of Anything
At once vague and abundant.

Said the Whale
So is Said the whale's name, or is this the attribution for a lost bit of dialogue? Perhaps from a story in the Squid Action Adventure genre!

Walk Off the Earth
 On Thanksgiving, our twenty-one-year-old future rocket scientist was explaining gravitational and orbital science to his nine-year-old cousin. Part of the discussion included what would be required to jump or walk off the earth.

November 17, 2012

It looks like the real November weather has arrived, ready to settle in for a good long stay over Thanksgiving. There's not a lot going on music-wise Thanksgiving Day, but leading up to it, I see all kinds of fun:

All Hail the Yeti
I'm always partial to a good Sasquatch reference. This one takes it over the top with a formal, high-toned greeting.


Anenome
Read aloud. Fall over laughing as recognition dawns. Fun with spelling.


Chris Mess
Heh. It'll be that season soon enough. Funny how you don't see anyone starting a movement to put the mess back in Christmas.


Gravy Grime Girls
Points for a alliteration and word choice. Groovy. I wonder, do they sing "Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts"?


Ice Cream Socialists
I think I've finally found my party. Frozen treats for the masses.

November 10, 2012

I'm feeling pretty happy about the election -- both the outcome and that it's over. Now we can devote ourselves to more important things, like getting tickets to hear the Sonics and Mudhoney in February! Here's who wins my vote this week:

Corpse of a Rotting Hottie
OK, yuck, but it really trips off the tongue. What really makes it is the surprise pairing of two words that shouldn't go together but almost rhyme.

Stuperhero
If it gets a laugh on first sight, it's probably going into the blog. I grew up surrounded by comic books, and the idea of a dumb superhero has great appeal.

Two Cow Garage
We already have backyard chickens and goats in Seattle. This is the next logical step.

Vice Device
Wire Choir
Both of these get in for having two words that rhyme, and for rhyming the same way. I really hoped to find five with a similar pattern so I could have a theme, but that rarely works.

November 3, 2012

It rained all week, the yard is full of leaves, and now I have a cold. I get it. It's fall. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour tonight, and DON'T FORGET TO VOTE BY TUESDAY!!! When it's all over, I really, really hope we have some things to celebrate.

Meanwhile, I can always celebrate local music and creative band names:

Green Jello
Brings potlucks to mind. No food is naturally that color. Put it on the plate with the hot foods, and everything tastes like lime.

Ollallaholics
It ululates! 

Pianos Become the Teeth
That must have been some dream. Or maybe they're talking about Dr. Teeth . . .

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
Maybe it's the preacher's kid in me, but I can't help but notice the combination of "reverend" and even a mild swear word. Never heard Dad swear; Mom was another story.

The Stravinsky Riots
Oh, to have been in Paris in 1913 . . .

October 28, 2012

Due to a late night Friday -- Your Mother Should Know closed out a fun and varied show at Sound Effects -- blogging is happening on Sunday instead of Saturday this week. But my husband had a little to say about band names in his blog, Now Music in New Albion:

Beast of the Sky
The Hunting Club
Black Plastic Clouds
Your Mother Should Know

The band names increased in length by letter count and layout, but were arranged symmetrically by word count 4 3 3 4. Sorry, it's the sort of thing I notice.

 But there are other bands who have played or will play this week. Here are just a few:

Angelspit
I like that I can't tell where to divide this. Is it Angel Spit or Angel's Pit? Either way, it's strange and surprising.

The Balloons
Confetti Kids
These two get in because they were on the same bill, like it was a party or something.

Boys Like Girls
This could have at least two meanings, both equally likely.

Spiderface
In honor of Halloween, something a little creepy. All those eyes . . .

October 20, 2012

Shameless plug: Your Mother Should Know is playing Friday, October 26 at Sound Effects Coffee House, with The Hunting Club, Black Plastic Clouds, and I think two other outfits -- a packed, interesting show! This'll likely be our last gig of 2012 because we're feeling old and tired, and have a backlog of songs we want to record!

On to this week's notable band names:

All Human
I find this reassuring. No animals, robots or space aliens were harmed in the making of this music.

Birdhouse
I grew up in the Bluebird Capitol of the World, where special bluebird houses dot the countryside. So I notice birdhouses wherever I go. I have one outside my window. And birds sing, so there you go.

Feet
Body parts are reliably good band names. And I love me a good monosyllable.

Sinizen
I'm enjoying this mash-up of citizen, denizen, and sinner. All have sinned, so there's nothing for it but to make some music.

Troubadour Dali
Whoa, surreal, man.

October 13, 2012

I've been on vacation this week! Our glorious summer lingered just long enough for a trip to Mt. Rainier and the last perfect day in Paradise. Suddenly we're staring squarely down the barrel of winter -- just the time to hunker down in a dingy bar and hear some loud comfort music. A few choice morsels to consider:

Mausoleum Neeson
I'm always a sucker for the ones you have to read out loud to get the joke. As a fan of Mr. Neeson's work, I also appreciate a shout-out when I see one, backhanded as it may be.

Science!
It's the exclamation point that does it. We should be excited about science!

Skip the Foreplay
Can't necessarily recommend this as good advice, but I have to admire their confidence that whatever they're doing will be worth it.

The Solvents
Something harsh and strong to strip away all that is sticky or extraneous.

Toxic Reign
Fun with spelling and double meanings. Perhaps also a comment on this electoral season and what may lie ahead.