Human Missile Crisis, the punk-infused garage rock trio from Cape Breton Island, now residing in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has released “Waste Away,” a two-track EP that captures the raw emotion, sonic experimentation, and lived experience of three lifelong friends navigating adulthood with guitars, grit, and a whole lot of heart.
Recorded live off the floor in a single 10-hour session at Sound Park Studios in Sydney, Cape Breton, the EP marks the band’s first collaboration in over 20 years with award-winning engineer Jamie Foulds. Mixed by Foulds and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege (Portland, OR), “Waste Away” is a visceral follow-up to their 2023 debut album “Liquor Store Stories”.
“We are so incredibly stoked and humbled to release Waste Away. These songs mean a lot to us. They’re the result of years of friendship, collaboration, and personal growth. Writing them helped me through some dark times, and I hope they speak to others the way they helped me. One fan once said the vocals sounded like they were powered by Jack Daniels with a Lemmy snarl, a bold statement, but we’ll roll with it,” says vocalist/guitarist DJ Vaters.
Opening track, “Snake in the Grass,” is like a dance pit. This upbeat, slide-guitar-driven track is a departure from HMC’s usual sound, channeling an old Bloc Party vibe with fast, fun drums and even a quiet, pretty bass solo bridge. Inspired by a rattlesnake warning in Osoyoos, BC, the lyrics explore betrayal and the treacherous people who smile to your face and strike when you least expect it.
“Just dance. Turn it up and let loose,” the band adds.
Closing track, “Mona Lisa” is a song for the night owls, the shift workers, the touring musicians. With a singer-songwriter vibe and explosive punk choruses, “Mona Lisa” speaks to the loneliness of working odd hours and being away from loved ones.
“I’ve always been a night hawk. This song is for those moments when you just want to be home in bed with the person you love,” shares DJ.
The EP Artwork was designed by local artist @sourrgrrrl; the cover art was born from instinct. DJ spotted her sticker on a telephone pole, sent her the unmastered tracks, and let her interpret freely. The result is a visual that matches the EP’s emotional pulse.
Recommended for fans of Idles, Fucked Up, Pup, Ty Segall, Queens of the Stone Age, The Dirty Nil, and Propagandhi, “Waste Away” is available on all digital platforms on November 14th, 2025, and can be found at the following link – https://linktr.ee/humanmissilecrisis
