Heatmiser

Biography

Formed in Portland, Oregon, USA, Heatmiser were an alternative rock quartet comprising two strong songwriters, Neil Gust (guitar, vocals) and Elliott Smith (Steven Paul Smith, 6 August 1969 Omaha, Nebraska, USA, d. 21 October 2003, Los Angeles, California, USA; vocals), and a rhythm section comprising Sam Coomes (bass) and Tony Lash (drums). Much of their early reputation hinged on the band’s songwriting flair - Smith’s more pop-orientated efforts contrasting nicely with the darker, melancholic detachment of Gust. These qualities were evident on the band’s first two albums, Dead Air and Cop And Speeder, both released by Frontier Records. However, for 1996’s Mic City Sons, which was produced by Lash, the emphasis was on creating a more seamless, compulsive record. By this time Smith had released two acclaimed solo albums, building an audience almost as large as Heatmiser’s. He later found greater fame when six of his songs were used by Gus...

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