EPK – Human Missile Crisis – Waste Away (2025)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of Idles, Fucked Up, Pup, Ty Segall, Queens of the Stone Age, Single Mothers, Cloud Nothings, Solids, The Dirty Nil, Propagandhi
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“When it comes to partying and being young, there are many “highs” and lows, as Human Missile Crisis draws our attention to in their new single “Too Long.”… The clip gives you a good look at these Dartmouth rockers in action. With fuzzed-out guitars and a garage rock spirit, these three young men know how to command a stage. The video captures what they do best: play live. The band members pride themselves on being a high-octane live act. That’s what the video is meant to emphasize: guys who can rock a stage like they rocked their parents’ garage growing up.” – V13
“With it’s thundering and infectious bassline, crunchy guitars, thrashing drums, and gritty heartfelt vocals, Human Missile Crisis easily achieved the powerful and memorable with “Blackwater”.” – Amplify The Noise
“Three friends and a long-standing passion for punk rock and garage, understood in their most jaunty and enjoyable expressions: they are human missile crisis, here grappling with their recording debut. What is striking right from the start is the light-heartedness that expert frequenters of the reference scene such as DJ VATERS, JUSTIN BOUTILIER and MATTHEW MACISAAC have been able to pour into the nine, lightning-fast moments that make up the album; the verve is ironic and semi-serious, the aim is fun, sarcasm and provocation: all elements which, mixed properly with direct and immediate sounds, come to compose a picture that is nothing short of caustic and full of sparkling ideas. The creativity released by the band is contagious: Liquor Store Stories echoes that kind of spontaneity traditionally inherent in the reference genres. And it offers half an hour of healthy entertainment in the name of bombastic pieces in which technique gives way to the desire to play together, to a sense of friendship that emerges with vigor from the grooves of the work and to a spontaneous and genuine approach. A debut that follows the dictates of tradition, proudly claiming its brilliant originality” – Rock Hard Italy
“I had a weird sensation while listening to the massive punch and swagger of “Liquor Store Stories” by Dartmouth, Nova Scotia based Human Missile Crisis. Not only is the title amazing and sounds like an anthology series on Hulu, the crunchy assaulting guitars, the nimble hyper bass lines, atomic drumming and strident vocal scowling aesthetic had me thinking of a 70’s Mod revival rock band instead of a punk outfit, namely, the iconic JAM. Maybe it is the major 7th and miner chords I think I am hearing, maybe it is the vocal countenance that does have a heavier sort of iteration of Weller, and maybe it is the fury of the bass and drums, of everything really. And it also might be the sense of talking about the inner workings of hometowns. By the way, sonically, I also thought of an amalgam of early punk like the Buzzcocks and more current bangers like Prince Daddy & The Hyena.” -Robb Donker Curtius / American Pancake
“Merging elements of Garage Rock and Post-Punk, they end up delivering an exciting song to the listener, with great melodies and which stands out mainly for its great rhythmic work, with its striking bass line and vocals with great melodies.” -Leandro Vianna / Roadie Metal
“Maybe “Blackwater” from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia based Human Missile Crisis is about wishing those who disappeared from your life well, maybe not. Maybe it is all about the glorious noise, the throttling bass bottom heaviness that kicks you in the gut, maybe not. Maybe it is about finding what you are searching for and not dive deep into the blackness to find it, maybe not. In the end, maybe Human Missile Crisis feels like Black Sabbath, The Dead Kennedys, Coachwhips, Bass Drum of Death atom smashed together into something else entirely, something visceral and impactful.” -Robb Donker Curtius / American Pancake
“”Liquor Store Stories” is a single recently dropped by Nova Scotia-based band, Human Missile Crisis. Boasting an infectious energy equipped with melodic vocal flows and anthemic instrumental work, this is a powerful new tune that delivers a unique blend of styles. Elements of punk, garage rock, indie, and emo are all present here, and the band shines brightly by creatively blending all the influences into one full sound.” -Havoc Underground
“”Too Long” is a melody that will really provoke something powerful and luminous in you with its most violent and rhythmic rhythms, capable of awakening the monster that you keep inside of you, this band will shake you with this crazy song bathed in the best alternative sounds and aggressive sounds of punk fused with the darkness of a more balanced rock.” -End Sessions
“‘Too Long’ by Human Missile Crisis is an energetic, aggressive and dark punk and rock whose instruments provide an auditory explosion in the best of the senses, causing a piece of music full of rhythm to be manufactured. While listening to the song I couldn’t stop moving my head back and forth because of how catchy it is, it’s one of those songs that you fall in love with in a second. I loved the song from start to finish and I hope you do too.” -Javier Alfonso / La Caverna
“The album begins with “Do you Remember”, a song that has a powerful guitar in its intro and remains that way, but from the beginning you say this album is not going to stop, it is going to maintain that hard and aggressive rhythm, although They also have California punk songs like “The Spark”, and of course they also have songs like “Distant Memory”, with a slower rhythm, but with the same strength in the voice. This album really has 9 incredible tracks for those who like garage and punk, and also get into slam.” -Miguel Castillo/ La Caverna
“Opening the record is ‘Do You Remember’, a three-minute romp that must be powered by Jack Daniels because the vocals have that tinge of Lemmy about them. The track ebbs and flows for those 180 seconds but always comes back to the punchy punk-rock vibe that is at the core of Liquor Store Stories.” -Dan Hemming / Hard Beat Magazine
Band: Human Missile Crisis
EP Title: Waste Away
Release Date: Nov 14, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Single Title: Snake in the Grass
Single Length: Snake in The Grass – 4:22
Release Date: September 19, 2025
Single Title: Mona Lisa
Single Length: Mona Lisa – 5:23
Release Date: Nov 14, 2025
Track Listing:
1. Snake in the Grass – 4:22
2. Mona Lisa – 5:23
EP Length: 9:46
Singles Credits:
Recorded at Sound Park Studios by Jamie Foulds on June 1st, 2025
Mixed by Jamie Foulds
Mastered at Audiosiege in Portland, Oregon by Brad Boatright.
All songs written and performed by Human Missile Crisis.
DJ Vaters (Guitar/Vocals)
Justin Boutilier (Bass/Backups)
Matthew MacIsaac (Drums)
About the single:
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EP Art Description:
The album art was designed by @sourrgrrrl designs. A local up-and-coming artist in our scene. After seeing a sticker of hers on a telephone pole, I loved the art style, so I reached out. I sent her the two unmastered tracks and basically just said Have a listen to these and see what you come up with. When working with artists, I prefer not to give too much instruction and just let them work their magic, and that’s how this one came to be.
About the singles, lyrically and musically:
This was our first time working together with Jamie in over 20 years. We originally worked with Jamie back in 2005 after our old band (Violent Theory) won an East Coast Music Awards battle of the bands that awarded us studio time with him.
These two songs are very different from each other, but overall convey the dynamic sound of Human Missile Crisis. Snake In the Grass is more on the upbeat, dancy side with some fun slidey guitars accompanied by lyrics about being on the lookout for those horrible people in life who are nice to your face but will turn around and stab you in the back at any chance they get.
Mona Lisa is a little more of a traditional rock song with a singer-songwriter vibe mixed with our style of loud, powerful, punk rock choruses. The words speak about things a lot of shift workers or traveling musicians can relate to, being gone for long periods of time and up and about during weird hours of the night for work when you could be home resting in bed next to your loved one. It speaks of a world where we’re all living, struggling to get through it to get back home to our loved ones. It’s something I think we all can relate to.
Track by Track. Lyrically and musically:
Overall, I like to keep my lyrics vague in a sense so that the listener can ultimately come to their own conclusions on what these songs mean, but here’s some insight.
Snake in the Grass has multiple themes within it and is the more dancey, upbeat song of the two. At first, when writing it, memories returned to me of a time when I found myself in the desert of Canada. A place called Osoyoos, British Columbia. When walking through a vineyard, I noticed “Danger rattlesnake crossing” signs posted around, and you could see their slithering trails in the sand. A friend said to me, “Look out for snakes in the grass,” and it always stuck with me. This phrase, used for hundreds of years, describes a treacherous person, a person you think is your friend, or even lover, who could turn around and stab you in the back at any moment. We all have encountered them in our lives and have stories to tell regarding how they hurt us or attempted to hurt us. This one is part of my story.
Mona Lisa is a more traditional rock song with a heavier punk rock chorus. Written about my own life and vampire-like schedule, working late-night shifts, and being away from loved ones who work the regular day shift. It’s a song I think a lot of people can relate to, especially touring musicians and any shift worker. Having to be away for long periods of time when you just want to be home in bed with your loved one is a tough thing to work through, but it’s something a lot of us do experience.
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Band story angles / Fun facts
-Worked with award-winning engineer Jamie Foulds for the first time in over 20 years on these two new singles
-Both songs recorded and mixed in one single 10-hour day at Soundpark Studios in Sydney, Cape Breton
-Our album release show in Sydney was double-booked by the promoter. We advertised a 9PM start time for a month leading into the show, and upon arrival, we came to find out that the venue double-booked a sold-out stand-up comedy show that started at 8pm and ran until 930… They also refused to let anybody into the venue at 9pm who arrived for the normal start time of our show.
-The debut album was mostly recorded over two days back-to-back. 10 hours a day, live off the floor.
-The very first song we released back in 2021, “Humble Creatures,” was also recorded by Braden Kamermans. I first met him when booking his band into our shared rehearsal spac,e and he mentioned he was looking for a band to record for his music recording program at the Nova Scotia Community College. I liked what he did so much that once he graduated, I approached him to do the full album with us.
-We have been friends going back as far as 1991 and playing together in bands in one form or another since 2003. We’ve also all lived together as roommates for extended periods of time.
-DJ has a tattoo of Hank Hill that says, “She’s alright, she’s alright, she’s alight… Propane. He also has a tattoo of a goat. Wearing a bandana, with braids… a willy goat if you will. You know? Like Willy Nelson. Willy, Billy… Willy goat… get it?
-Matt and Justin once played in a dinner theater together, and this is where Matt started to play drums. He was always the lead guitarist prior to this in our old band, and DJ was the drummer. In the dinner theater group, nobody could play the drums, so Matt stepped up and basically just learned as the dinner theater went along. Matt and Justin also once played in a one-night-only “The Band” tribute band… called “Crazy Chester” Take the load off fanny, take the load for free…
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L-R – Matthew MacIsaac – Drums, DJ Vaters – Guitar/Vocals, Justin Boutilier – Bass
Human Missile Crisis is the sound of chaos finding catharsis. Born from the grit of Cape Breton Island and now rooted in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, this trio blends punk urgency with garage rock swagger to create music that’s raw, real, and relentlessly honest. Their songs are a lifeline for anyone teetering on the edge of their thirties, still trying to make sense of relationships, addiction, depression, and the absurdity of modern life.
Frontman DJ Vaters has been crafting music since his teenage years, first thrashing through punk sets with his best friends, then diving into electronic experimentation in solitude. But when the digital world lost its spark, DJ turned inward, writing songs that reflected the heavier truths of his life. That introspection laid the groundwork for Human Missile Crisis.
Reuniting with longtime friends and former Violent Theory bandmates Justin Boutilier and Matt MacIsaac—also known for their work in Halifax’s garage rock duo Elk Lodge—the band found its pulse. Together, they transformed DJ’s raw sketches into fully realized sonic explosions. Their sound is a collision of fuzzed-out guitars, bouncing basslines, and unpredictable rhythms, channeling influences like Idles, Fucked Up, The Hives, and Television. Think punk with a post-rock brain and a bluesy heart.
Their 2023 full-length release, “Liquor Store Stories showcased the band’s dynamic range. Now, in 2025, the band returns with two follow-up singles to create the EP “Waste Away”. From the danceable paranoia of “Snake in the Grass” to the aching, nocturnal longing of “Mona Lisa,” Human Missile Crisis proves they can swing between moods without losing their edge. Every lyric is pulled from the DJ’s lived experience, and every riff is shaped by the trio’s collaborative fire. Whether it’s a fast punk beat or a mid-tempo groove, the band lets the music lead—and the result is always electric.
Live, Human Missile Crisis is a celebration of connection. They treat every show like a house party with friends, loud, sweaty, and full of laughter. They don’t want fans; they want family. And whether you’re screaming along or just soaking it in, you’ll leave knowing you weren’t alone in the chaos.
For fans of PUP, Ty Segall, The Dirty Nil, and Cloud Nothings, Human Missile Crisis is more than a band; it’s a reminder that music can still punch you in the gut and pull you back to your feet.
Previous Release
Humble Creatures – (Single/June 26TH 2021)
Liquor Store Stories – (Single/07/28/2023)
Blackwater – (Single/08/11/2023)
Too Long – (Single/08/18/2023)
Liquor Store Stories – (Album/August 25th, 2023)
Shared the stage with.
Propagandhi, Botfly, Chastity, Single Mothers, Elk Lodge, Analog Signal, Dazor, Fungus, The Hellfiends, The Scoop Outs, Artificial Dissemination, Designosaur, Dimension Boys, Shelly, Bullet Bill Club, The Bombed Solid, Chosen Lung, Rootabagga, Heavy Early, The Cathartics, Holly Snappers, The B+ Players, Hemineglect, Rad & Subtract, Vulpine, Topless Models, Backyard Action Heros, More Amour, North Of Nowhere, All Honesty, The High Tide, The Goodbye Summer, Suspex, Squander, Denacious T, Baited, High October, Johnny C, The Bloody Hell, Columns Of Clouds, The Screaming Seaman, Radio Roulette, Fire Valley Fire, Customer Service, Kyle Sveinson Band, Juice Box, Vormir, Dirtmouth, Bring Me Sleep, Conductor, Sleepless Nights, Book Buddies, Atay & Jax, Electric Spoonful, Pretty Alrights, Girls With Guns, Hushmetal, Novichok, Lazyhorse, Bologna Colorado, Half-Dead Serious, Acid Wash
Festivals:
July 22nd, 2022 – Halifax Havoc – Halifax, NS
June 2nd, 2023 – Spoonapalooza – Halifax, NS
July 6th, 2024 – Halifax Havoc – Halifax, NS
October 12th, 2024 – Gobblefest – Sydney, NS
July 5th, 2024 – Halifax Havoc – Halifax, NS
AITTALA Lineup – Gary ‘Smith’ Zeus (Drums), Eric Aittala (Guitar/Vox)
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