Heatmiser

Heatmiser was an indie rock band formed in the early 1990s in Portland, Oregon. The group is best known as a launching pad for singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, who co-founded the band with Neil Gust. Their music combined punk energy with moody, introspective songwriting, laying the groundwork for Smith’s later solo work. Alongside Smith and Gust, the lineup included Tony Lash on drums and Brandt Peterson, later replaced by Sam Coomes, on bass.

The band released several records, including Dead Air (1993), Cop and Speeder (1994), and their most acclaimed album, Mic City Sons (1996). Though Mic City Sons showcased a more mature, melodic sound, Heatmiser disbanded shortly after its release as Smith increasingly focused on his solo career. Despite their relatively short run, Heatmiser remains a cult favorite among fans of '90s indie rock and those tracing the evolution of Elliott Smith's distinctive songwriting style.