LISTEN: Gomer Crafts Hypnotic & Cathartic Post-Punk On “Hot Dog Hot Car”

Gomer is a project originally created by Tate Iverson upon his move to Los Angeles in 2023. Faced with sky-high rent, gutter low wages, and a distinct lack of creative outlets, he sought to chronicle his experiences in a desperate bid to stave off the side effects of what some may call rock bottom. Now, under improved circumstances, Iverson has revisited the project, focusing on texture, rhythm, and irrelevance. 

Growing up in Oregon, Iverson took part in many projects ranging from prog-rock trios to Strokes cover bands. These experiences weave their way through his music, with a wide variety of influences squeezed together to create layered moments that feel simultaneously unnerving and familiar.

Iverson has finally emerged under the Gomer moniker with the release of his official debut single, “Hot Dog Hot Car.” This song, though, does not feel like a first outing, as Iverson showcases an innate sense of melody, a fearlessness to experiment, and an individuality that can’t be taken away. From the low, unassuming yet potent vocals to the warping arrangement, “Hot Dog Hot Car” is far from the jovial outing its title suggests. Every ounce of passion and stored-up emotion in Inversion was unleashed throughout his debut single, adding a cathartic air to the hypnotic percussion and subtle, searing guitars. “Hot Dog Hot Car” is a proper introduction to the left-field, sprawling sonic landscapes Iverson plans to be cooking up with his project Gomer.