Spencer Seim

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Spencer Seim is best known as the guitarist in the band Hella. He is also the drummer in the Nintendo music cover band called The Advantage. As a guitarist, he is known for quirky riffs featuring notes bent in and out of dissonance as well as a rapid picking style, as well as fret-board tapping, all of which are utilized in practically undefinable time signatures, preferring to use phrases which are cut down or added on to. His composition style is mode heavy, however; he claims to have no formal musical training. His use of massively embellished chords has lead some to believe otherwise. He has been practicing on and off with Zach Hill (Hella drummer) since they both started playing music and both have been influencing each other throughout their musicianship. As a drummer, Spencer's style is somewhat similar to that of Zach's, albeit less intense: playing for The Advantage, Spencer employs percussive methods such as repetitive doubles on a single bass drum and quick cymbal muting, both of which are also very noticeable in Zach's playing style. Spencer's style also often incorporates complex time signatures, well evidenced on Chirpin' Hard and recordings by the Advantage

Spencer's musical abilities aren't just limited to guitar or drums; on some of his more recent work, such as Hella's Chirpin Hard album (written and performed by Spencer), Spencer also utilizes keyboards, synths, drum machines, and other instruments in his music. He is very proficient with drum programming, the opening track of Hold Your Horse Is, "The D. Elkan" being a good example.

The guitar featured in the above-right picture was designed and built for Spencer by guitar designer Scott French. The model name is SF0SS. It features a nut pickup, a built-in amplified egg shaker, and individual outputs for each string pickup. The finish is neon green and is embedded with Spencer's beard trimmings. Scott French claims that it is the most interesting guitar he has ever made.