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.
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!
Showing posts with label acapulco lips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acapulco lips. Show all posts
Saturday, April 11, 2015
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, May 3, 2014
May 3, 2014
Now that the teaser for summer is over, we can get on with spring already in progress. This is actually perfect rock club weather: not too nasty to leave the house, not too hot to hang out indoors, not so cold that you need to wrangle a big coat all evening. Here's a brief list of band names to inspire you:
Bones and the Falderalls
I'm a big fan of the classic X and the Y structure anyway, but this goes that extra couple of steps over the top, where X=a colorful nickname and Y=an old-timey term of the sort we don't see enough of these days. You know these folks are having all the fun and will share generously.
Moon Honey
I've been sweet on the moon since 1969, so it's no surprise that seven past honorees have "moon" somewhere in the name. Two have "honey," but this is the first time they've been featured together. A sweet reversal that's no less romantic.
Silverware Wolf
I try not to play favorites, but this one is getting into Acapulco Lips territory. It's that quick turn from the quotidian to the paranormal -- someone is really listening to the sounds of words and playing them like vintage Ludwigs.
The Space Monkeys
At first I was thinking primates in spacesuits, but then I pictured an ad on the back of a comic book -- order alien brine shrimp to keep as pets!
We Are Scientists
Line from a B movie: "We'll save you from those space monkeys; trust us, we are scientists!"
Bones and the Falderalls
I'm a big fan of the classic X and the Y structure anyway, but this goes that extra couple of steps over the top, where X=a colorful nickname and Y=an old-timey term of the sort we don't see enough of these days. You know these folks are having all the fun and will share generously.
Moon Honey
I've been sweet on the moon since 1969, so it's no surprise that seven past honorees have "moon" somewhere in the name. Two have "honey," but this is the first time they've been featured together. A sweet reversal that's no less romantic.
Silverware Wolf
I try not to play favorites, but this one is getting into Acapulco Lips territory. It's that quick turn from the quotidian to the paranormal -- someone is really listening to the sounds of words and playing them like vintage Ludwigs.
The Space Monkeys
At first I was thinking primates in spacesuits, but then I pictured an ad on the back of a comic book -- order alien brine shrimp to keep as pets!
We Are Scientists
Line from a B movie: "We'll save you from those space monkeys; trust us, we are scientists!"
Saturday, March 15, 2014
March 15, 2014
Wow, I might actually get out to a show today -- not one but two favorite bands, Acapulco Lips and Red Ribbon, are playing an in-store at Everyday Music! 6:00 p.m. is my kind of start time. As names go, it's hard to beat Acapulco Lips, but here are some close seconds:
Endorphins Lost
What goes up must come down, alas.
Raptor Tractor
I had a tractor phobia when I was a small child (and it has already been pointed out that Tractorphobia would be a good band name). Now I'm picturing fierce dinosaurs on John Deeres. Extra credit for being on a bill with past honorees Power Skeleton and Skunk Rider.
Silent Land Time Machine
Anything with "time machine" in the name is almost guaranteed to catch my eye. What I like about this, aside from the length, is that it can be read as three modifiers with one noun; one modifier with three nouns; or two nouns with one modifier each. Mix and match!
Space Cretins
There's no stopping the cretins from launching . . .
Stranger on Mars
I imagine it will be a long time before this is not true, by definition, of anyone who gets there. But it can also be read as a comparative: "This music is strange enough on Earth, but it's ever stranger on Mars."
Endorphins Lost
What goes up must come down, alas.
Raptor Tractor
I had a tractor phobia when I was a small child (and it has already been pointed out that Tractorphobia would be a good band name). Now I'm picturing fierce dinosaurs on John Deeres. Extra credit for being on a bill with past honorees Power Skeleton and Skunk Rider.
Silent Land Time Machine
Anything with "time machine" in the name is almost guaranteed to catch my eye. What I like about this, aside from the length, is that it can be read as three modifiers with one noun; one modifier with three nouns; or two nouns with one modifier each. Mix and match!
Space Cretins
There's no stopping the cretins from launching . . .
Stranger on Mars
I imagine it will be a long time before this is not true, by definition, of anyone who gets there. But it can also be read as a comparative: "This music is strange enough on Earth, but it's ever stranger on Mars."
Saturday, November 2, 2013
November 2, 2013
Today we celebrate three years of Square Pig in a Round Hole, and bid a sad farewell to longtime fave Curtains for You, featured in the fifth post of this blog. Based on Facebook response, their "last live show ever" was shaping up to be a real love-fest. Who will be the new Curtains for You? Perhaps one of these:
Bad Motivators
I'm a sucker for an obscure Star Wars reference, especially one that implies disreputable influences. Plus, they're on a bill with two of my favorite local bands: Acapulco Lips and Red Ribbon!
Dead Animal Assembly Plant
I'm picturing a slaughterhouse in reverse, turning out reanimated livestock -- perfect for the holiday just past.
Def Leprechaun
I'm assuming tribute band here, which is often where you get the best wordplay. Or badass fiddle outfit. There's something engaging about that turn from sleek jungle cat to cereal-box sprite.
Pentagraham Crackers
Also fitting for Halloween, something dark rendered harmless by a comfort-food image.
Trivium
The only thing more trivial than trivia is a single trivium. I have only recently learned that "trivium" is part of classical academic education. I don't remember seeing the word before, so I was tickled to come across it as a band name.
Bad Motivators
I'm a sucker for an obscure Star Wars reference, especially one that implies disreputable influences. Plus, they're on a bill with two of my favorite local bands: Acapulco Lips and Red Ribbon!
Dead Animal Assembly Plant
I'm picturing a slaughterhouse in reverse, turning out reanimated livestock -- perfect for the holiday just past.
Def Leprechaun
I'm assuming tribute band here, which is often where you get the best wordplay. Or badass fiddle outfit. There's something engaging about that turn from sleek jungle cat to cereal-box sprite.
Pentagraham Crackers
Also fitting for Halloween, something dark rendered harmless by a comfort-food image.
Trivium
The only thing more trivial than trivia is a single trivium. I have only recently learned that "trivium" is part of classical academic education. I don't remember seeing the word before, so I was tickled to come across it as a band name.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
February 2, 2013
Happy Groundhog Day! I'm very excited to go hear The Sonics and Mudhoney tonight! Musically, I missed the '60s because I was a child, and the '90s because I had children. Most kind of these two bands to do a show together for my convenience! They are among the few I've blogged about after hearing their music. Here are some I've yet to hear:
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!"
Impossible Bird
Come to think of it, everything birds do seems impossible. They fly, soar, swoop, and flock without even thinking about it; snag mosquitoes out of the air; perch on branches and power lines without losing their balance; see colors that are invisible to us; migrate incredible distances. I'll stop there. Birds are awesome.
Rose Windows
Do they transform the venue into a cathedral? This would also make a good stage name.
The Shivering Denizens
I can't believe I haven't included this one before. I'm always happy to find the word "denizens" in use, and "shivering" seems like just the right adjective.
Train Wreck
Can't look away! A spectacle even when all goes wrong. Also, I tend to notice train references, due both to my lifelong fondness for trains, and to my folk-music project, Train Case.
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!"
Impossible Bird
Come to think of it, everything birds do seems impossible. They fly, soar, swoop, and flock without even thinking about it; snag mosquitoes out of the air; perch on branches and power lines without losing their balance; see colors that are invisible to us; migrate incredible distances. I'll stop there. Birds are awesome.
Rose Windows
Do they transform the venue into a cathedral? This would also make a good stage name.
The Shivering Denizens
I can't believe I haven't included this one before. I'm always happy to find the word "denizens" in use, and "shivering" seems like just the right adjective.
Train Wreck
Can't look away! A spectacle even when all goes wrong. Also, I tend to notice train references, due both to my lifelong fondness for trains, and to my folk-music project, Train Case.
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