Heatmiser

Heatmiser
Heatmiser publicity photo for Frontier Records. From left: Tony Lash, Elliott Smith, Brandt Peterson, and Neil Gust.
Heatmiser publicity photo for Frontier Records. From left: Tony Lash, Elliott Smith, Brandt Peterson, and Neil Gust.
Background information
OriginPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Genres
Years active1991–1996
Labels
Past members

Heatmiser was an American rock band, formed in Portland, Oregon, in October 1991. Consisting of Elliott Smith (guitar and vocals), Neil Gust (guitar and vocals), Brandt Peterson (bass; later replaced by Sam Coomes, frontman of Quasi) and Tony Lash (drums), they were known for their well-crafted lyrics and songs often featuring the juxtaposition of melancholic and cheery words and melodies. The pop-oriented songs of Elliott Smith were a contrast to the darker songs of Neil Gust, while both Smith's and Gust's songs touched on subjects such as anger, alienation, loneliness and despair.