The VSS

The VSS was a short-lived but highly influential post-hardcore band from Boulder, Colorado, active in the mid-1990s. Formed by former members of the band Angel Hair, The VSS stood out for their innovative fusion of aggressive punk energy with analog synthesizers, helping to push the boundaries of the genre into more experimental territory. Their music combined chaotic rhythms, distorted guitars, and eerie, buzzing synths to create a sound that was raw, futuristic, and ahead of its time.

Their sole full-length album, Nervous Circuits, released in 1997, became a cult classic, noted for its abrasive style and for boldly incorporating electronic elements into hardcore punk—a move that would influence a wave of bands in the years to follow. Despite their brief existence, The VSS left a lasting mark on underground music and are frequently cited as pioneers in the post-hardcore and synth-punk scenes.