Gern Blanston

Distinct from an East Coast indie imprint bearing a nearly identical moniker, Gern Blanston formed as a metallic noise rock trio based in Portland, OR. The group drew its moniker from a little-known Steve Martin allusion concerning the comedian’s supposed birth name, and its lineup consisted of guitarist/vocalist Jeff Blanston, his sister Jillian Wyznick, and drummer Dean Miles. A 1993 split 7" single shared with the Portland emo outfit Thirty Ought Six appeared on the Cavity Search label. The trio’s sole full-length release, the self-titled album, surfaced in 1996; shortly thereafter the band dissolved. Blanston and Miles subsequently joined the local stoner rock jam band the Owners, while Miles also performed with various other Portland groups.