The Cigs History

The creator of NarlyHead, later Halfway Dead, and currently The Cigs is Samuel Martinez from Fresno, California.

On January 12, 2020, the first known social media account for NarlyHead was created. In August 2025, the project transitioned into Halfway Dead, before adopting its current name, The Cigs, in April 2026, which continues to the present day.

A search for “NarlyHead Band” on YouTube returns several recordings from the NarlyHead era, including:

https://youtu.be/12ulW5hhsgg

https://youtu.be/TwH-kdwIMtE

https://youtu.be/7Q45t94BZco

These videos represent some of the few remaining public traces of the project’s early performances. In addition, a limited number of CDs were produced and distributed physically at shows, with most circulation occurring within local audiences.

The Halfway Dead era was short-lived and unstable in lineup, with recurring changes in both drummer and bassist positions. During this and the NarlyHead period, the group rehearsed in a space known as “The Green Room,” which was later sold by the property owner, leading to the loss of the rehearsal location and a pause in the project’s continuity.

Following this transition, the project moved toward a new formation and lineup, eventually becoming The Cigs.

Halfway Dead

The Cigs