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)
context
A “small but mighty” indie rock force emerged 15+ years prior to the airing of the tv show Portlandia (which made a mockery of The City of Roses). The 80s punk scene had paved the way for local studios and records labels, making creation & distribution a possibility (also see Larry Crane’s Jackot! & Tape Op). It was really another era, predating the music business shift to digital downloads and streaming platforms. Tangible things like CDs, gig flyers (also see legendary flyer artist Chanda Helzer), club posters, and zines were common and still in heavy circulation. Unlike the rivalry known in bigger cities like L.A. & New York, the Portland bands, fans, creatives, and the local music industry created a strong sense of community, supporting each other's music and events. A major hub was Satyricon, located in the Old Town neighborhood (operated from 1984 to 2010), which many journalists and historians referred to as the "CBGB of the West Coast". By fusing assorted genres, Portland created a distinctive sound, attracting national attention. Some notable bands included Sleater-Kinney, Quasi, The Dandy Warhols, Modest Mouse, The Spinanes, Hazel, Crackerbash, The Wipers, Dead Moon, Poison Idea, and of course Heatmiser!
Heatmiser [members - Elliott Smith (1969 - 2003), Neil Gust, Brandt Peterson, Tony Lash, and Sam Coomes] recently announced that they are re-releasing Mic City Sons in celebration of its 30 year anniversary. In light of this news, we took a gamble and reached out to Neil Gust for an interview. He accepted our humble invitation and we’re delighted to present an insightful exchange for our existing and new zine readers. We can say for certain, such a legacy has not been drawn in disappearing ink.
[ 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!