2021. It's never too late to get into The Cardiacs. Once upon a time, a callow youth, spotty-faced and greasy-haired was exposed to The Cardiacs for the first time. That youth was not ready. Not wise enough. Not open-hearted enough. Not open-minded enough. Just not prepared, he turned back to the safety and security of other bands. My friends, that callow, spotty, greasy, foolish youth was me. Years later, in the midst of a pandemic, locked down and longing...a chance encounter online awakens a renewed curiosity. What brought me here? Inevitability. The passing of a man named Smith. A link to a rotten shed. A bass-playing man in his underpants. A wild-haired Gong guitarist. A barking dog. Pounding rain. And the angriest man in England, 5 years my senior, performing as if his life depended on it. Since then, I have worked back and forth through an expansive, surprising and joyous back catalogue. It's too late to experience them live; to taste sweat, dry ice and warm cider. It's too late to hear new music and new insights. Yet it's never too late to find this wellspring of relentless genius. It's never too late to get into The Cardiacs.
I went to see the cardiacs in London a few times absolutely fantastic so sad Tim Smith is no longer with us R.I.P Tim love to your dear wife sarah and the rest of the family and friends xxx
Simultaneously one of the saddest and yet most life-affirming performances of a song that seems to be poking its’ fingers through the cracks of our flailing miserable existence. Glorious music from a great man who will be missed more and more as time goes by.
Undisputedly amazing words that I could never even think about putting together. So I will just say this.. from children’s homes and foster parents the cardiacs were my sanctuary. And this tune put a smile on my face, that’s why I bought the 12”! And played and played it .
Absolutely agree. Cannot watch / listen to this without tearing up. Still makes hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?”
Ridiculous. So fucking glad they're finally starting to blow up a little. Tons of covers emerging on here. Best kept secret in the history of music. Never once in my life have I cared enough about someone I didn't know enough to cry when they died.
@@fcamiola Nothing can be the best, everything is subjective one way or another. But a piece of music CAN be legendary, by touching hearts and minds. That’s what makes art so good, there is something for everyone and I think lessions and experiences can be learnt from something truly immeasurable and glorious.
Still the most important gig I've ever witnessed in my life! I went to see Napalm Death (who played the same day)! And walked away with this experience in my soul which has made me the man I am today! Thank you Cardiacs for everything you have done and given me! I am blessed!
We were there, slept in a tent the night after and it was very wet. Tim was a fucking musical genius and all round lovely bloke. The collective were awesome in every respect, Tim, Jim, Saraha, Dom, Will, Bic et al. There will never ever be a band that will reach the parts that this lot di. Glad i got to see them so many times. RIP Timmy.
Thank you so much Stephen. I worked at a little known music club in Soho, London called 'The Marquee' - you wouldn't have heard of it but we had The Cardiacs play quite regularly. Always loved them but hell of a mess afterwards with all the flour and shit being thrown around! It always appeared to me that they were always on the edge of chaos, like they were battling their instruments; the audience loved them and so did we. Tim was a sweet man and always welcome - these memories to me are precious....
This is so gorgeous. I was barely 7 years old that night, and thirty years later I've found them. I'm heartbroken that I can't experience their shows now, but very grateful for this video.
It's never about the amazing performances we missed...it's about finding the beauty where you are now that you and others will look back on the same way 30 years from now. But thank *god this one was recorded eh?
Magnificent and beautiful. I saw them live twice - the most wonderful gigs imaginable. It's also hilariously perfect that Tim could produce such epic magic on a guitar that looks like it cost fifty quid in a second hand shop. Farewell and thank you so very, very much, leader of the starry skies. x
I worked as a DJ in the 80s and 90s.....this brilliant song was played at every gig I had...! Cardiacs were not known in Germany at this time, but "Is this the life" was one of my TOP 5 songs at that time...people loved to dance to this special song for many, many years...good memories while I listen to this great LIVE-Performance!!! Thanx for all, Tim...we'll meet soon!
I was in Tesco in Hatfield last night and a dude recognised my cardiacs hat. We had such a nice 5 min chat. It was so nice. I wonder if he'll ever read this.
Saw them lots of times in the glory days of the mid 80's. Great gig at the mermaid in Birmingham. Missed catching them at the last Stonehenge festival but what a unique group. R.i.p Tim
I used to go to an club in Reading at the end of the 80's that had an 'Indie night' every Sunday. They always used to play this song as part of the 'goth' half hour. I remember asking the DJ what it was. I went out and bought the 12" and played it to death. Still love it, but I struggle wit a lot of their other stuff, and as much as I love prog rock, and all manner of strange and experimental music, the Cardiacs were a step beyond insanity for me. I'm still trying and warming to them more. I can hear their influence in other artists like Mr Bungle and even Everything Everything.
Following around to see a life that's never in Always calling itself on its own phone Though its never quite at home in the world today See it to arranging the day Prepared in its own special way With added loving care Though its not been there since yesterday Looking so hard for a cause And it don't care what it is And never really ever seeing eye to eye Though it doesn't really mind Perhaps that's why It never really saw Never really saw Saw
As an impoverished 19 year old I chose Napalm Death over the Cardiacs, I'll always regret not going to this. They did this as a split gig to save cash on the filming, the Cardiacs played late afternoon and ND in the evening. You can watch all of Live Corruption here: th-cam.com/video/S54Yt4wg7RE/w-d-xo.html
Some1 stole my signed cardiacs stuff Including my 1990 old trout in widsor gig where sarah signed my snare drum head Cardiacs all signed the big big bass drum Miss my cardiacs playing live Timmy so loved by us so soon to b taken away from us xx
![This Band Changed My Life! [Cardiacs]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZF0n1gI-d9w/mqdefault.jpg)
2021. It's never too late to get into The Cardiacs. Once upon a time, a callow youth, spotty-faced and greasy-haired was exposed to The Cardiacs for the first time. That youth was not ready. Not wise enough. Not open-hearted enough. Not open-minded enough. Just not prepared, he turned back to the safety and security of other bands. My friends, that callow, spotty, greasy, foolish youth was me. Years later, in the midst of a pandemic, locked down and longing...a chance encounter online awakens a renewed curiosity. What brought me here? Inevitability. The passing of a man named Smith. A link to a rotten shed. A bass-playing man in his underpants. A wild-haired Gong guitarist. A barking dog. Pounding rain. And the angriest man in England, 5 years my senior, performing as if his life depended on it. Since then, I have worked back and forth through an expansive, surprising and joyous back catalogue. It's too late to experience them live; to taste sweat, dry ice and warm cider. It's too late to hear new music and new insights. Yet it's never too late to find this wellspring of relentless genius. It's never too late to get into The Cardiacs.
i know Im kinda randomly asking but does anybody know of a good place to watch newly released series online ?
@Gregory Wallace Meh atm I've been using Flixportal. You can find it by googling :D -graysen
@Graysen Lukas thank you, I signed up and it seems to work :D I really appreciate it !
@Gregory Wallace you are welcome xD
Beautifully put.
This is in my top 5 greatest live performances of all time.
This is in my top 3 favourite live performances ever 😮😍
I am/was so blown away then and now watching this vid. It was a blast.
It is a simply stunning performance from all involved.
So sad he's no longer with us,so pleased his torment of his latter years is over.
I went to see the cardiacs in London a few times absolutely fantastic so sad Tim Smith is no longer with us R.I.P Tim love to your dear wife sarah and the rest of the family and friends xxx
What are the other 5?
Simultaneously one of the saddest and yet most life-affirming performances of a song that seems to be poking its’ fingers through the cracks of our flailing miserable existence. Glorious music from a great man who will be missed more and more as time goes by.
Undisputedly amazing words that I could never even think about putting together. So I will just say this.. from children’s homes and foster parents the cardiacs were my sanctuary. And this tune put a smile on my face, that’s why I bought the 12”! And played and played it .
Absolutely agree. Cannot watch / listen to this without tearing up. Still makes hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?”
RIP Tim. Gone to soon to the Great Gig in the Sky.......
Rave On Tim Smith
He loved those ciggies.
He'll now take his place as the Leader of the Starry Skies
RIP Tim.
You are released from your suffering
a very true comment , peace .
Ridiculous. So fucking glad they're finally starting to blow up a little. Tons of covers emerging on here. Best kept secret in the history of music. Never once in my life have I cared enough about someone I didn't know enough to cry when they died.
Never heard of this band until about 25 mins ago. Excellent song, great performance
lucky guy. enjoy..
I'm a new Cardiacs fan too. This fucking rocks.
@@bloodnchocolate You have months of extreme pleasure to come while you discover this wonderful music..
You've just discovered the greatest music ever created. RIP Tim xoxo
@@fcamiola Nothing can be the best, everything is subjective one way or another. But a piece of music CAN be legendary, by touching hearts and minds. That’s what makes art so good, there is something for everyone and I think lessions and experiences can be learnt from something truly immeasurable and glorious.
Still the most important gig I've ever witnessed in my life! I went to see Napalm Death (who played the same day)! And walked away with this experience in my soul which has made me the man I am today! Thank you Cardiacs for everything you have done and given me! I am blessed!
This is a special piece of rock and roll history right here.
We were there, slept in a tent the night after and it was very wet. Tim was a fucking musical genius and all round lovely bloke. The collective were awesome in every respect, Tim, Jim, Saraha, Dom, Will, Bic et al. There will never ever be a band that will reach the parts that this lot di. Glad i got to see them so many times. RIP Timmy.
Been listening to this track for yrs and yrs ,never tire of it.
Kicking myself for not seeing them at this time, especially as I loved this tune. Epic and deranged version!
Thank you so much Stephen. I worked at a little known music club in Soho, London called 'The Marquee' - you wouldn't have heard of it but we had The Cardiacs play quite regularly.
Always loved them but hell of a mess afterwards with all the flour and shit being thrown around! It always appeared to me that they were always on the edge of chaos, like they were battling their instruments; the audience loved them and so did we.
Tim was a sweet man and always welcome - these memories to me are precious....
The Marquee was like "my local." Musta been there hundreds of times. :)
loved The Marquee back in the 80s
@@leahlune9278 Well I probably served you a pint then!
@@dbcooper8927 that's very possible 😁
Fuken hell. Beautiful ❤ RiP Tim
Oh Timmy, how this world misses you. Like Frank Z, you were undoubtedly a musical genius. 😢
This is so gorgeous. I was barely 7 years old that night, and thirty years later I've found them. I'm heartbroken that I can't experience their shows now, but very grateful for this video.
It's never about the amazing performances we missed...it's about finding the beauty where you are now that you and others will look back on the same way 30 years from now.
But thank *god this one was recorded eh?
Magnificent and beautiful. I saw them live twice - the most wonderful gigs imaginable. It's also hilariously perfect that Tim could produce such epic magic on a guitar that looks like it cost fifty quid in a second hand shop.
Farewell and thank you so very, very much, leader of the starry skies. x
I saw them the same year at the Co-op Hall in Oxford, remains the best live gig I’ve ever been to. Just beautiful.
I was at that one too!They started the set with this I think. :)
Saw Cardiacs so many times back in the day. Best live band by a mile. RIP Tim
I worked as a DJ in the 80s and 90s.....this brilliant song was played at every gig I had...! Cardiacs were not known in Germany at this time, but "Is this the life" was one of my TOP 5 songs at that time...people loved to dance to this special song for many, many years...good memories while I listen to this great LIVE-Performance!!! Thanx for all, Tim...we'll meet soon!
RIP genius Tim ❤️
RIP, Tim Smith. You were truly worthy of laudation...
Good night Tim. We love you.
Astonishing song. Guitar makes the hair on my toes stand to attention .
They were very good at doing the music
Thirty years ago two of our members were at this gig. You'd never know it was filmed in the afternoon! RIP, Tim.
Nice one Browfort!!! (I'm dave from doctor nut, have your album in my cd collection!)
I was at this all snowy in the pond I miss you cardiacs
So many times since 1987 I saw cardiacs
Tim u r very much missed brother
Three of my mates went to this gig and came back raving about it. Is This The Life is one of my all time favourite tracks, best played LOUD!
Outstanding song. Outstanding performance.
I was in Tesco in Hatfield last night and a dude recognised my cardiacs hat. We had such a nice 5 min chat. It was so nice.
I wonder if he'll ever read this.
RIP Tim Quy :(
Saw them lots of times in the glory days of the mid 80's.
Great gig at the mermaid in Birmingham. Missed catching them at the last Stonehenge festival but what a unique group. R.i.p Tim
Fkng majestic!. ✌🏻❤️
if I had a time machine I'd go back in time and follow cardiacs around deadhead style, except cooler cause it's cardiacs.
Thank you Mr Payne.
Fooking ell .I was at this gig !! God ,a lifetime ago now ...
Just brilliant - my misspent 20's rolled into one
Bye Tim. And thanks for all.
I know nothing about this band but this my favourite of all time
RIP Tim
RIP Tim Love you
Rave On Tim
You're Free ...
RIP Tim.
I really do love this song and performance
Thank-you, thank-you.
RIP Tim.
I used to go to an club in Reading at the end of the 80's that had an 'Indie night' every Sunday. They always used to play this song as part of the 'goth' half hour. I remember asking the DJ what it was. I went out and bought the 12" and played it to death. Still love it, but I struggle wit a lot of their other stuff, and as much as I love prog rock, and all manner of strange and experimental music, the Cardiacs were a step beyond insanity for me. I'm still trying and warming to them more. I can hear their influence in other artists like Mr Bungle and even Everything Everything.
Following around to see a life that's never in
Always calling itself on its own phone
Though its never quite at home in the world today
See it to arranging the day
Prepared in its own special way
With added loving care
Though its not been there since yesterday
Looking so hard for a cause
And it don't care what it is
And never really ever seeing eye to eye
Though it doesn't really mind
Perhaps that's why It never really saw
Never really saw
Saw
What else can be said? RIP.
Love it
One of my favourite gigs...
Mind blown!
Absolutely brilliant!
Es una canción increíble.Con mucho Power.y atmósfera..
Exactamente. Tim Smith era un genio...
Rip Tim you were amazing
I can never forgive myself for not being a
part of this soul cleansing experience.
Thank you very much !
I bought the 12 inch single when it came out, brilliant song.
I just discovered this band and bought a used LP of this album can't wait for it to arrive!
I've long wondered what it was that Sarah Sax was Yelling.
Anyone out there that was at the front for that song ? ??
Brilliant.
I miss my wife
Porque nunca había escuchado de esta banda , es muy buena.saludos desde Uruguay 🇺🇾a todos!
Demasiado buena! No todo lo hacían en este estilo… Pero uno no se cansa de indagar en lo que hacían.
Magnificent!
Thanks for filming this @Stephen 🤗
these REALLY influenced Nirvana right?!
On the same night, same place Napalm Death recorded best video ever!
Live Corruption?
@@LifeGrindcore Yes!
@@piotrgadowski3506 Thats very cool!
As an impoverished 19 year old I chose Napalm Death over the Cardiacs, I'll always regret not going to this. They did this as a split gig to save cash on the filming, the Cardiacs played late afternoon and ND in the evening. You can watch all of Live Corruption here: th-cam.com/video/S54Yt4wg7RE/w-d-xo.html
My current hymn.
Some1 stole my signed cardiacs stuff
Including my 1990 old trout in widsor gig where sarah signed my snare drum head
Cardiacs all signed the big big bass drum
Miss my cardiacs playing live
Timmy so loved by us so soon to b taken away from us xx
I saw them there too!
Thanks Timmy x
Justin Hawkins brought me here!
Sorry about that. :)
FKNBRILL!
wow!
Awesome xx
Thank you 🤗
It looks like this was on mtv2 by how the title comes up at the start and end..
Maybe it was on 120 minutes or whatever it was called
Amazing , thanks for this. One of my all time favourite bands. Have you got anymore amazing cardiacs live vids?
th-cam.com/video/tJ_I-c6QUOQ/w-d-xo.html
The ending was longer than the beginning and middle. Maybe even longer than the rest of the album.
David Cameron on percussion and keyboards!
Himno !
Reminds me of Arcade Fire...
Yeah, I've not noticed that before. Saw them at The Hollywood Bowl once.
Good song imo
Tim Smith is God.
Stellar performance, but Dominic Luckman in particular is drumming like a man possessed! Would be interested to know what he got up to post-Cardiacs.
Hamster farmer, just north of Bognor.
How near to the train crash is this?
Look at Sarah’s soles haha 😂
NO sax solo from Sarah like the original song ???? BOOOOOOO !!!! great performance otherwise tho
@@JaymzZeppelin Ah ...shame
Yea....but wheres the sax?