SPIRAL
published -
2025, quarter III
Plainclothes Man
music video film still
credit -
Ross Harris
(find him on
vimeo)
intro by Eden
(for revision requests, please contact
here)
history
x
[ HEATMISER's links ]
Neil Gust
exclusive Q&A
1) Congrats on this much coveted re-release! In my personal quest to obtain an original version of Mic City Sons, my research has resulted in very few items in existence and/or for sale. I was watching one that was going for $400+! Since supplies have dwindled, how long has this rerelease been in the works, or was this more of a surprise?
The reissue has been in the works for over 4 years. It took time to dig through record contracts, old recordings, and establish communication among all the parties. It took about 6 months to create new artwork and video.
2) For newcomers, what Heatmiser track(s) do you recommend for one’s first listen? [Which one(s) really define the band’s essence?]
“Blackout” on Dead Air, “Why Did I Decide To Stay” on Cop & Speeder, and maybe “See You Later” on Mic City Sons.
3) Of the previously unreleased tracks, which one is your favorite?
No favorites. But I was relieved that Tony’s final mixes gave the songs new life.
4) On the same topic,, during the interview “The Making of Mic City Sons” with ‘Life of the Record’ [that featured you and prior Heatmiser band mates (Tony Lash and Sam Coomes)], you mentioned there being “other songs that were directly about [Elliott Smith] that [you] wrote, that didn’t end up on the record…” Are any of the previously unreleased tracks appearing on this new edition of Mic City Sons as aforesaid?
Yes, “Silent Treatment,” “Dark Cloud” and to some degree “Dirty Dream."
5) The photo gracing the front of this record has become synonymous with the band, where did such an iconic album cover come from? Is the outside art otherwise the same as the original releases?
We bought it from a stock house. By the time I was making the cover art, it was clear the band was breaking up. The ascending / descending jets were a way of communicating the band never achieving a proper altitude.
6) Are you considering any Record Signings Events (in stores, etc.)?
Nothing planned, no.
7) Is it out of the question to keep our fingers crossed for a reunion, new music, and/or a tour?
Afraid not. Elliott’s gone, so Heatmiser is done. But it’s been rewarding to reissue some of our best recordings.
8) There are a lot of fans out there that are hungry for Heatmiser merch (including me, who happened to miss the shirts that were released alongside “The Music of Heatmiser”). Is any distribution of the sort planned for this remaster?
There’s a new t-shirt, it should be available any day now.
9) It seems that you guys were much more than just band mates - more of a friends-like-family dynamic, right? What’s a memory of good times you’re willing to share involving other people in the band?
I think most bands have a friends-like-family dynamic. You have to, you spend so much time together and you have to have similar goals and ambitions. It helps to have a similar sense of humor, which we all did.
10) This last question is more of a request, given I’m a really big fan of Heatmiser (and No.2), but am not too great at figuring out songs by ear (in relation to guitar). Is there any written tablature or sheet music around?
Not that I know of, but I suppose AI could generate something like that!