Ruud Swart interviewed Harley Feinstein by email, January 1999.

How did you get in contact with the Maels and what year was that?
"In 1970 I placed an ad in a Music store called Ace Music in Santa Monica. I was looking for people to jam with. One day I was taking a bath and the phone rang. Since there were no answering machines in those days I answered the phone and it was Russ. We had a long conversation and we decided that I would try out for the band."

The official biography of Bearsville mentions that you got the drumming job because you had not drummed before. Is that correct?
"I had studied drums in school. I got my first drum set when I was 16."

Did you play with any other bands prior to Halfnelson/Sparks?
"I had only jammed with friends. Nothing serious."

Were you involved in the recording of the Halfnelson demo "A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing"? The story is that this was recorded with John Mendelssohn on drums. Is that correct?
"The demo was not "A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing". Woofer was the 2nd released album. I did not play on the demo. I think John Mendelssohn played on Chilly Farm Farney on the demo."

Have you ever seen this demo album or own a copy yourself?
"I think I have a copy."

During your live gigs, did you play any of the songs from the original demo album?
"I believe so, yes."

It is told, that a lot of covers were played in those days, like "Give It To Me" by the Troggs and Tomorrow's "White Bicycle". Are there any other covers that you did during concerts?
"The band played very few covers. The only others I can think of are Do Re Me and Baby Come Back by the Equals."

What exact four songs were recorded on demo and sent to Todd Rundgren?
"The only one I can remember was "Roger". I believe this was the one that Todd Rundgren and his girlfriend Christine liked. She thought Russ was singing "cucaracha."

It wasn't intended to be a demo. It was intended to be an album. After completion they intended to find a record company to sign with. Mike Berns financed the production of the album."

Where you involved in these recordings or did you join Halfnelson immediately afterwards?
"I joined when they were mixing it."

Prior to recording the "Halfnelson" album, were there any demos made by Halfnelson that you're aware of?
"I heard other demos that were made at home - none that were made in a studio."

Do you still have any recordings on tape of demos or live gigs from your period with Halfnelson/ Sparks?
"No."

When the Maels decided to go to England at the end of 1973, were you and the Mankeys involved in this decision or did the Maels prefer to go by themselves. If you were involved, why did you decide to stay in Los Angeles, having tasted the moderate success during your short European tour in 1972?
"As I recall when we left England for home (L.A.) at the end of the 1st tour I wasn't certain if I wanted to go back to England. After being home for a while Russ called me and asked if I wanted to return to England. I said I wasn't sure but then called him back and said that I wanted to go. The next thing I heard was that Ron and Russ fired the manager (Roy Silver) terminated the record contract with Bearsville, signed with Island and went back to England by themselves."

Which countries did you visit during your tour through Europe in 1972?
"England, Switzerland, and Holland."

How many gigs were approximately given?
"Perhaps 25 or 30."

Do you remember your visit to Holland? You played in a small club and since the support act did not turn up, you had to play your set twice, in a different sequence. Prior to this you were almost thrown out of a restaurant because of the way you all looked and your long hairs. (There's a translation on an article about this on our website, with some pictures from that day. Check out the track "High C"; "We froze out Todd Rundgren").
"I remember. We were in the Hague. It was very cold."

Did Todd Rundgren actually produce the first album or was he forced to leave before it was finished?
"As far as I know he produced it."

Are you still involved in making music?
"I play in bands from time to time. The last band I was in was an all lawyer band named "No Convictions". We played lawyer functions, charity events, etc."

After the Maels' immediate success when they came to London, did you ever regret not having joined them?
"Of course, but as I said, the choice wasn't really mine to make. I could have gone to England on my own in 1973 and joined some other band. Some people that had visited England in 1973 advised me to do this. They said I could capitalize on the success of Sparks and get into a good band over there. But I decided to finish school and become a lawyer. I don't regret this decision."

Are you still in contact with any of the old members of Halfnelson/Sparks, like Jim or Earle, or even the Maels? During an interview I had with the Maels, they claimed you were still friends.
"I used to bump into them when I lived in L.A. In 1990 I moved to a beach town north of San Diego. I haven't seen them in a long time."

Some time ago, somebody claimed to have a recording from a live radio broadcast by Halfnelson. Were you ever broadcast live any the American radio station?
"Sorry, I don't know anything about this."

Do you still follow the Maels' career? What do you think of their current musical style?
"I've always liked their music."

What is your best memory from your music career?
"In England in the winter of 1972 Russ met a girl whose father owned a club in Zermatt, Switzerland called the Post. He convinced her to persuade her father to let us play in his club. I believe he also agreed to pay for our lodging and meals. We arrived in Zermatt, went to the club, and attempted a sound check. The club owner couldn't believe what he was hearing and refused to let us play. We got to spend the next week in snowy Zermatt, in a little chalet, skiing at the foot of the Materhorn. That was really cool."

HARLEY