About Elliott Smith
Around this time, he began calling himself "Elliott", since he thought "Steve" sounded too much like a jock name. No one is certain why he chose "Elliott." Some speculate it came from a street name in Portland, some say it was an idea of his girlfriend's at the time, and was the last name of her ex-boyfriend. Elliott is spelled with two "T"s, like the last name. Others, however, believe that his name may be related to the American Revolutionary folk singer of the 18th century, Gilbert Elliot.
Smith graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, with a degree in philosophy and political science. After returning to Portland, Smith formed the band Heatmiser in 1991 with Neil Gust, Tony Lash, and Brandt Peterson (replaced by Sam Coomes, later of Quasi). Their sound has been compared to Fugazi and grunge music. The group disbanded in 1995, but not before signing a deal with major label Virgin Records to release their final record, Mic City Sons.