Commentary by Mark Biagio (The Fismits Guitars & Vocals)
“I have been around a while now. Throughout my journey, I had the awesome privilege of working with some amazing well-known artists and many lesser-known ones. Many songs simply vanish. It breaks my heart when I hear a song, or in many cases, multiple songs, that should have been heard, songs that should have been great, but for whatever reason, they never saw the light of day. ‘Halen’ is such a track.
I recorded what was possibly one of the best and most original 90’s bands in South Africa at the time called ‘Live Jimi Presley’. An extremely creative, edgy band that delivered powerful tracks, they were impossible to predict or pigeonhole. ‘The Presleys’ entertained and delighted audiences, always ahead of their time. The track ‘Halen’ never made it onto their official album, because Marc ‘Presley’ (Feltham) was not happy with his vocal delivery. Fair enough! This always frustrated me … another track gathering dust, waiting to be heard.
In 2017, I picked up the guitar in my studio and smashed out a demo version in one take. I loved it and vowed to return to it. I revisited the track often, but lacked the boldness to send it to Marc to ask, “Howzit, what do you think?”
Let me back up. You see, I held ‘The Presleys’ in high regard. When I was 19, I was in a band called ‘The Mind Theatre’ and was still trying to figure out how to play a bar chord. ‘The Presleys’ were on late-night radio and sounded so different. We played with them at a university event, and they did not disappoint. Fast forward three years and my friend Leon Retief and I were trying to create a compilation album of unsigned artists. I said if we wanted this album to have credibility, we needed a band like ‘Live Jimi Presley’ on it. Leon said, “I’ll get them!” And he did!
The day ‘The Presleys arrived, I had to record them. I was so excited and yet absolutely scared. Nonetheless, it went well. ‘Soda Sex Fountain’ was released, and Marc and I became friends with musical respect and connection. We worked together on a few projects in the 90s and stayed in touch, as I was never culled from his Facebook friends list! However, in my mind, he was still ‘Marc Presley’ and I never stopped being a fan.
Sadly, Marc passed away in 2024 and I vowed “Just get it done!” I reworked the demo, added a grinder, played a tribute to the original ‘Live Jimi Presley’ vibe, and attempted to channel a guitar solo as Marc would have played.
It feels good, and I like it. At its core is ‘The Fismits’ sound, a stubbornness and refusal to let a great track die. I hope ‘Halen’ tips its hat to the greatness that created it!”
