Heartworm Press

Wesley Eisold
Born	(1979-02-15) February 15, 1979 Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Occupation(s)	Musician, poet, writer
Years active	1998–present
Known for	Lead vocalist of Cold Cave and American Nightmare; founder of Heartworm Press

Wesley Eisold (born February 15, 1979) is an American artist known for his work as a musician, poet, and writer. He produces music under the moniker Cold Cave and manages the independent publishing house Heartworm Press.

Career

Eisold serves as the lead vocalist for the synthpop and darkwave project Cold Cave as well as the hardcore punk band American Nightmare, active from 1998 to 2004 and resuming in 2010. His musical endeavors also include participation in groups such as Some Girls, XO Skeletons, and Ye Olde Maids.

In 2006, Eisold launched Heartworm Press to distribute his own literary works and zines, drawing inspiration from publishers like Exact Change and Grove Press. Heartworm has published works by Eisold himself alongside authors including Boyd Rice, Eric Paul, Jonathan Shaw, Genesis P-Orridge, and Richard Brautigan. His debut collection of poetry and prose titled Deathbeds was issued through Heartworm in 2007.

Beginning in 2007, Eisold concentrated on Cold Cave, marking a transition into electronic music—a direction influenced by his experience of being born with only one hand. This change informed his approach to music production centered on synthesizers. Eisold holds songwriting credits on Fall Out Boy’s songs "The Carpal Tunnel of Love", "Golden", and "Bang the Doldrums" from their album Infinity on High, following an out-of-court resolution related to claims of plagiarism.

Eisold’s distinctive artistic style earned him recognition; in 2009, The Guardian referred to him as "a new, young god of nihilism and despair," emphasizing Cold Cave’s eclectic influences. His leadership reflects a shift away from conventional band dynamics toward solo electronic creation.

During 2011–2012, Eisold toured alongside Prurient, expanding his presence within specialized international music scenes. He has also presented performances in nontraditional venues such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Getty Center, broadening his brand’s reach beyond standard concert environments.

Collaborations

By 2009, Eisold had engaged in creative partnerships with Eric Paul of Arab On Radar, Genesis P-Orridge, Jonathan Shaw, Chris Leo, and Max G. Morton. He contributed production and recording work to Boyd Rice’s 2012 album Back To Mono, released by Mute Records. Some Cold Cave concerts were canceled due to Rice’s controversial public image; however, they toured together in 2013.

In 2014, Eisold collaborated with fashion designer Alexandre Plokhov on a shirt design for the Fall/Winter collection. That same year, he joined forces with techno producer Black Asteroid and designer Rick Owens on the release and accompanying video for "Black Moon."

In 2015, Eisold teamed up with Genesis Breyer P-Orridge of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV for the recording titled "Rebellion Is Over."

Personal life

Eisold is the son of Daine Eisold, a retired officer of the U.S. Navy. He has spoken openly about his lifelong struggles with depression and feelings of alienation. Since 2012, his partner Amy Lee has performed synthesizer alongside him. The couple lives in Los Angeles with their son, Rainer Lee Eisold, who was born on November 20, 2015.

Litigation

In September 2024, Eisold initiated legal action against the professional wrestling organization WWE, wrestler Cody Rhodes (Cody Runnels), and the merchandise distributor Fanatics concerning the "American Nightmare" trademark. Eisold has held ownership of this trademark for apparel, music, and entertainment purposes since 2016. In 2019, Eisold and Runnels reached an agreement regarding the use of this moniker after Runnels attempted to register the trademark himself. A subsequent agreement in 2021 permitted Runnels to utilize the trademark provided that his name, image, and wrestling affiliation were clearly displayed. Eisold contends that WWE, Runnels, and Fanatics breached this arrangement by marketing merchandise that scarcely identified Runnels as a wrestler, resulting in consumer confusion within the marketplace. Eisold is pursuing damages of no less than $150,000, with potential awards up to $300,000 for federal trademark infringement, in addition to legal fees.

Music Releases

• American Nightmare/Give Up the Ghost – 4 Song Demo Tape/7" (2000) – Self-Released/Malfunction
• American Nightmare – Self-Titled 7-inch (2000) – Bridge 9 Records
• American Nightmare – The Sun Isn't Getting Any Brighter 7-inch (2001) – Bridge 9 Records
• American Nightmare/Give Up the Ghost – Background Music CD/LP (2001) – Equal Vision Records
• American Nightmare – Black on Black: A Tribute to Black Flag (track: Depression) (2002) – Initial
• Anti Aquarian – Chrome Jesus Cassette (2010) – Hospital Productions
• Cold Cave – Coma Potion 12-inch (2008) – Heartworm Press
• Cold Cave – The Trees Grew Emotions And Died 12-inch (2008) – Dais Records
• Cold Cave – Painted Nails 7-inch (2008) – Hospital Productions
• Cold Cave – Cremations CD/12-inch (2009) – Hospital Productions
• Cold Cave – Love Comes Close CD/12" (2009) – Heartworm Press
• Cold Cave – Death Comes Close 12-inch (2009) – Matador Records
• Cold Cave – Cherish the Light Years (2011) – Matador Records
• Cold Cave – Oceans With No End 7-inch (2013) – Deathwish
• Cold Cave – Full Cold Moon CD (2014) – Heartworm Press
• Cold Cave – Rebellion Is Over (2015) – Heartworm Press / Dais Records
• Give Up the Ghost – Love American CD-EP (2003) – Bridge 9 Records/Equal Vision Records
• Give Up the Ghost – We're Down Til We're Underground CD/LP (2003) – Equal Vision
• Some Girls – The Rains EP (2002) & The Blues EP (2002) – Deathwish
• Some Girls – All My Friends Are Going Death CD/LP (2003) – Deathwish/Three One G
• Some Girls – Heaven's Pregnant Teens CD/LP (2006) – Epitaph/Three One G
• XO Skeletons – Asthmagasm EP (2006) – Malfunction
• Ye Olde Maids – God Blesses Us, Mother Dresses Us 12-inch (2009) – Art Fag
• American Nightmare – American Nightmare (2018, Rise Records)