Cardiacs

The Cardiacs are a British band from Surrey . It was founded in 1977, then under the name Cardiac Arrest . In 1980 the name was changed to Cardiacs . Until the debut album "A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window" in 1988, the Cardiacs only released singles, EPs and cassettes. Since then, a number of albums with the band's own mix of punk / ska attitude and progressive rock have been released at irregular intervals . Cardiacs texts tie in with the surrealistic attitude of early Genesis (everyday, original British references, but dream-like-surreal processing). With the Cardiacs, contradicting stylistic devices react to something new (see The Police ): Accordingly, the Cardiacs refer to their music as 'Pronk' (a cross between Prog and Punk). Cardiacs was also compared to Madness .

The band played live as a support act for Marillion in 1985 and 10 years later as support for Blur ; both times the bizarre, eclectic sound of the Cardiacs was not well received by the fans of the main bands. Among musicians, however, the Cardiacs are an important source of inspiration - especially in the independent scene .

On June 25, 2008, the singer and head of the band, Tim Smith, suffered a combined heart attack and stroke that led to permanent dystonia . Since then he has been dependent on intensive care. Since then, live activities of the Cardiacs have been suspended, the remaining members mostly pursue their own projects. Tim Smith, who received an honorary doctorate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for his life's work in 2018 , died on July 21, 2020 at the age of 59 as a result of his illness.

Current members

Jim Smith - bass, backing vocals
Kavus Torabi - guitar, background vocals
Bob Leith - drums, backing vocals
Cathy Harabaras - percussion, background vocals
Melanie Woods - percussion, backing vocals

former members

Tim Smith - lead vocals, guitar, keyboard (1977-2020 †)
Michael Pugh - vocals (1977-1980)
Peter Tagg - drums (1977-1979)
Colvin Mayers - keyboard (1978-1981)
Ralph Cade - saxophone (1978–1979)
Mark Cawthra - drums (1979–1982), keyboard (1982–1983)
Tim Quy - percussion, bass synthesizer (1980–1990)
Sarah Smith (née Cutts) - saxophone, vocals, keyboard (1980–1989; guest musician from 1989)
Dominic Luckman - drums (1982-1993)
William D. Drake - keyboard, vocals (1983–1990)
Graham Simmonds - guitar (1983–1984)
Marguerite Johnson - saxophone (1983-1984)
Christian "Bic" Hayes - guitar, vocals (1989–1990)
Jon Poole - guitar, keyboard, vocals (1991-2003)
Sharron Fortnam (nee Saddington) - vocals (2004-2007)
Clare Lemmon - backing vocals (2004-2007)
Dawn Staple - percussion (2004-2007)

Changing line-ups

Discography

1979 A Bus for a Bus on the Bus ( Single )
1980 The Obvious Identity ( cassette )
1985 Seaside Treats (maxi single)
1981 Toy World (cassette)
1983 Archive Cardiacs (cassette)
1983 The Seaside (cassette)
1985 Seaside Treats ( video )
1987 There's Too Many Irons In The Fire (maxi single)
1987 Big Ship ( EP )
1987 Rude Bootleg ( live album , Reading Festival 1986)
1988 Is This The Life (single and maxi single)
1988 A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window ( album )
1988 Cardiacs Live (live album, Paradiso , Amsterdam 1988)
1988 Susannah's Still Alive (single and maxi-single)
1989 Baby Heart Dirt (single and maxi single)
1989 On Land and in the Sea (album)
1990 The Seaside
1990 All that Glitters is a Mares Nest (Live CD and Video)
1991 Day Is Gone (maxi single and CD single)
1991 Songs for Ships and Irons (album)
1992 Heaven Born and Ever Bright ( CD )
1995 Manhoo (CD single)
1995 Bellyeye (CD single)
1995 Odd Even (CD single)
1995 Sing to God (double CD)
1999 Signs (CD single)
1999 Guns (CD)
2005 The Special Garage Concerts Vol I & II (Live CDs)
2007 Ditzy Scene (CD single)

Web links

Remarks

^ Cardiacs - Band History. Retrieved October 31, 2019 .
Jump up ↑ The Guardian: Cult heroes: Tim Smith led the Cardiacs in the face of hatred - and much love (Pete Cashmore, June 2, 2015). Retrieved October 31, 2019 .
↑ Tim Smith, the Cardiacs singer hoping to overcome brain injury to make music once more (Rhodri Marsden, 8.1.2018). Retrieved October 31, 2019 .
↑ Ben Beaumont-Thomas: Tim Smith, frontman of cult band Cardiacs, dies aged 59 . In: The Guardian . July 22, 2020, ISSN 0261-3077 ( theguardian.com [accessed July 22, 2020]).

[1] Cardiacs - Band History. Retrieved October 31, 2019 .

[2] Jump up ↑ The Guardian: Cult heroes: Tim Smith led the Cardiacs in the face of hatred - and much love (Pete Cashmore, June 2, 2015). Retrieved October 31, 2019 .

[3] Tim Smith, the Cardiacs singer hoping to overcome brain injury to make music once more (Rhodri Marsden, 8.1.2018). Retrieved October 31, 2019 .

[4] Ben Beaumont-Thomas: Tim Smith, frontman of cult band Cardiacs, dies aged 59 . In: The Guardian . July 22, 2020, ISSN 0261-3077 ( theguardian.com [accessed July 22, 2020]).