Heatmiser

Heatmiser
Heatmiser publicity photo for Frontier Records. From left: Tony Lash, Elliott Smith, Brandt Peterson, and Neil Gust.
Background information
Origin	Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Genres	Indie rock indie pop alternative rock post-hardcore
Years active	1991–1996
Labels	Cavity Search Frontier Virgin Caroline
Past members	Elliott Smith Neil Gust Tony Lash Brandt Peterson Sam Coomes Jason Hornick John Moen

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.