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.
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 14, 2012
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.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
December 31, 2011
Happy New Year! I hope that 2012 will bring many more notable band names. This week's picks:
Down with People
This could be an anti-people protest slogan or a statement of support: "I'm totally down with them." I like the ambiguity.
Feeding Frenzy
Energetic and messy, like the best rock music. I chose this one because of an emerging shark theme (see People Tank, below). I understand that sharks have more to fear from us than we from them, but I still wouldn't want to get caught in a feeding frenzy. Down with people, indeed.
Le Shat Noir
A cat is implied, and the French lends elegance, but it's still gross. Somebody clean that litter box!
People Tank
What the shark villain threatens the hero with in shark spy fiction. They have more to fear from us than we from them.
Pierced Arrows
I read about this band and got interested in them before I realized what a great name they have. Nice reference to a classic car that younger fans might not even recognize. I have to support punk rockers in their 60s -- makes me feel like a young whippersnapper!
Down with People
This could be an anti-people protest slogan or a statement of support: "I'm totally down with them." I like the ambiguity.
Feeding Frenzy
Energetic and messy, like the best rock music. I chose this one because of an emerging shark theme (see People Tank, below). I understand that sharks have more to fear from us than we from them, but I still wouldn't want to get caught in a feeding frenzy. Down with people, indeed.
Le Shat Noir
A cat is implied, and the French lends elegance, but it's still gross. Somebody clean that litter box!
People Tank
What the shark villain threatens the hero with in shark spy fiction. They have more to fear from us than we from them.
Pierced Arrows
I read about this band and got interested in them before I realized what a great name they have. Nice reference to a classic car that younger fans might not even recognize. I have to support punk rockers in their 60s -- makes me feel like a young whippersnapper!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas! Not many shows this week, but Santa brought a handful of winners: one seasonal, the rest decidedly not.
Death Polka
I've heard of a dance of death, but I never pictured it accompanied by jolly oom-pah music.
The Donner Vixens
Christmas-y, yet of questionable taste in so many ways! (Insert your own cannibal joke here). I heard this week that if Santa's reindeer are as usually portrayed, with full antlers in mid-winter, they're all female. So I really hope this is a girl group.
Full Toilet
This may be the grossest band name I've encountered, because we've all seen it. But it made me laugh.
Leadership by Assault
My wish for 2012 is that this is not what we get.
Redneck Girlfriend
This partners nicely with my favorite Young Fresh Fellows song, "Hillbilly Drummer Girl."
Death Polka
I've heard of a dance of death, but I never pictured it accompanied by jolly oom-pah music.
The Donner Vixens
Christmas-y, yet of questionable taste in so many ways! (Insert your own cannibal joke here). I heard this week that if Santa's reindeer are as usually portrayed, with full antlers in mid-winter, they're all female. So I really hope this is a girl group.
Full Toilet
This may be the grossest band name I've encountered, because we've all seen it. But it made me laugh.
Leadership by Assault
My wish for 2012 is that this is not what we get.
Redneck Girlfriend
This partners nicely with my favorite Young Fresh Fellows song, "Hillbilly Drummer Girl."
Saturday, December 17, 2011
December 17, 2011
It's been a long week and I don't have many brain cells left, so let's get straight to the list:
All Stars No Stripes Band
I like the double meaning of "stars" that lets the name go off in an unexpected direction.
Grunge Tree
So that's where it comes from! In the '90s, there must have been a whole orchard.
Pink Freud
Rock band as analyst? "Tell me about pink, Mr. Floyd . . ."
Screaming Sons of
I love the bitten-off expletive as band name. Finish it how you will.
Sugar Burger
A weird but sweet term of endearment, in the same category as "Little Cabbage."
All Stars No Stripes Band
I like the double meaning of "stars" that lets the name go off in an unexpected direction.
Grunge Tree
So that's where it comes from! In the '90s, there must have been a whole orchard.
Pink Freud
Rock band as analyst? "Tell me about pink, Mr. Floyd . . ."
Screaming Sons of
I love the bitten-off expletive as band name. Finish it how you will.
Sugar Burger
A weird but sweet term of endearment, in the same category as "Little Cabbage."
Saturday, December 10, 2011
December 10, 2011
I had the privilege to hear the James King Trio last night at University Temple United Methodist Church, playing kickass bluegrass gospel. The name is nothing special, but the music? Whew! Mandolin = lead guitar, banjo = bass, and all versions of rock, country, and blues boil down to one beautiful root.
The names I like this week:
The Aimlows
This one has great slacker cred. I like the celebration of low expectations.
Betty Ford Falcons
As I know I've admitted before, I have a soft spot for this kind of name that starts off it one direction and ends up somewhere else, in only three words. Plus, my sister-in-law used to own a late-'60s Ford Falcon Futura with a Detonators bumper sticker, so I have nostalgic fondness for the model.
Heterosapien
These guys should be playing with Hobosexual. Is it the same guys?!
Mansions on the Moon
Nice. I'd settle for a spaceport, but hey, dream big! It's always a beautiful day on the moon . . .
Yamn
My hands-down favorite this week -- the final 'n' seals it. (We're having yams for dinner tonight).
The names I like this week:
The Aimlows
This one has great slacker cred. I like the celebration of low expectations.
Betty Ford Falcons
As I know I've admitted before, I have a soft spot for this kind of name that starts off it one direction and ends up somewhere else, in only three words. Plus, my sister-in-law used to own a late-'60s Ford Falcon Futura with a Detonators bumper sticker, so I have nostalgic fondness for the model.
Heterosapien
These guys should be playing with Hobosexual. Is it the same guys?!
Mansions on the Moon
Nice. I'd settle for a spaceport, but hey, dream big! It's always a beautiful day on the moon . . .
Yamn
My hands-down favorite this week -- the final 'n' seals it. (We're having yams for dinner tonight).
Saturday, December 3, 2011
December 3, 2011
If I weren't going to a holiday party tonight (and if I had an extra $15 kicking around) I'd want to be at the Triple Door to hear The Tripwires and The Young Fresh Fellows! I won't get out to hear any of these bands, either, but I wish them well on the strength of names alone:
Green Pajamas
"Pajamas" evokes homey comfort and childlike sweetness, but "green" somehow gives it a weirder edge. I don't think I've ever had green pajamas, even though green is one of my favorite colors to wear. Now I want some.
Loathsome Couple
I've loved the word "loathsome" ever since Calvin asked Suzie Derkins to guess what he had in his hands and she asked, "Is it loathsome?"
Polkadot Cadaver
Grouped as it was with more sinister sounding bands, this one cracked me up. The polkadots make even a cadaver seem cheery and festive.
The Sound of Speed
I don't think I ever noticed before that the familiar phrase could be switched and still make sense. The sound of speed is probably "Whoosh!" or "Zoom!" but now I want to know, what is the light of speed?
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
As noted previously, I'm a sucker for names that are a little too long for convenience. As a bonus, this one's even a complete sentence and includes a historical figure.
Green Pajamas
"Pajamas" evokes homey comfort and childlike sweetness, but "green" somehow gives it a weirder edge. I don't think I've ever had green pajamas, even though green is one of my favorite colors to wear. Now I want some.
Loathsome Couple
I've loved the word "loathsome" ever since Calvin asked Suzie Derkins to guess what he had in his hands and she asked, "Is it loathsome?"
Polkadot Cadaver
Grouped as it was with more sinister sounding bands, this one cracked me up. The polkadots make even a cadaver seem cheery and festive.
The Sound of Speed
I don't think I ever noticed before that the familiar phrase could be switched and still make sense. The sound of speed is probably "Whoosh!" or "Zoom!" but now I want to know, what is the light of speed?
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
As noted previously, I'm a sucker for names that are a little too long for convenience. As a bonus, this one's even a complete sentence and includes a historical figure.
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