PLUSH first flickered on the South African music map back in 2003. Alongside lead guitarist Chas Smit’s creative flair, Eliot’s songwriting ability and natural charisma merged seamlessly to produce songs such as Tainted, which hit No.1 on TuksFM, and Today and My Baby which received regular radio play, the latter getting airtime on MTV. Described as “so unbelievably tight that they sound as though they are one masterful musician, playing two guitars, with four arms and one almighty voice”, PLUSH were known for their masterful live gigs, exhibitions of incredible musicianship, as well as a message that was simple, heartfelt and uplifting. Then the unthinkable, as their initial rocket ride ended tragically when Smit was killed by an alleged drunk driver when attempting to cross a street in Pietermaritzburg in September 2005.
Engulfed by grief, Eliot took a six month sabbatical before returning as a solo artist, determined to fulfil a promise he’d made to Smit in which he told him that they would make it. His journey was one not meant to be undertaken alone, however, and soon Ben Peters, Emilio Gassibe and later Carl Wegelin pledged their future to ensuring that the promise and potential of PLUSH did not end in tragedy.
Included on Rage On (Deluxe Edition) is the spine tingling, eerily prophetic song “Last Breath”, written and performed solely by Chas Smit. This near perfect recording was done in one take. It was written by Smit for two of his uncles that had recently passed away. The words “was our Maker drunk that night?/Emotional rollercoaster ride/I paid my ticket with the last goodbye/Hopeless attempt, my mind hell bent on how my tragedy will arrive/I won’t rest uneasy tonight cause my fear went out with the bedside light” would be the very last to be sung by Smit minutes before his tragic passing.
Vocalist Rory Eliot has been based in the UK since mid-2008 where he spent the most part of 2009 completing his Masters in Songwriting at the University of Bath. Plush is scheduled to release a new album in 2010.
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