For a bit of context: That image is from a recent cover version featuring members of several bands including Napalm Death and Voivod. It was recorded as a tribute to the front man Tim Smith who passed away last year. The only person in the image who is actually from Cardiacs is the bassist Jim Smith (guy with the red sash), who is also Tim's brother.
Really enjoyed this reaction! Here's a condensed history of the band that might shed some light. The band started in the late 70s as Cardiac Arrest, but gained popularity in the early-to-mid 80s as Cardiacs (not "The" Cardiacs). Their two main lineups were a six-piece band with saxophone, keyboards and extra percussion (1980s), and as a quartet with two guitarists (1990s onwards). The singer/frontman/main creative force behind the band was Tim Smith, arguably one of the most creative and interesting musicians of all time. His brother Jim was the bassist, and the two of them were there from beginning to end. Tim never liked to put their music into a category, he always called it pop - maybe psychedelic if you had to name it. The media and the music industry absolutely hated them. Their music was always either completely ignored or was given unfairly negative reviews ("Cardiacs are the sound of both feet in the grave"). A newspaper even ran a smear piece claiming that Tim and his then-wife Sarah (the saxophone player) were brother and sister and were having an incestuous relationship. Sadly, Tim had a heart attack in 2008 which left him paralysed, and Cardiacs never performed again; he died in 2020, effectively ending the band. If you want to hear something that's easier to get into (but still complex and interesting), try the songs Odd Even, Gina Lollobrigida, or Signs (there's a great live performance of Signs on TH-cam). If you want something more rock-y with some punk elements, try Fiery Gun Hand, Jibber and Twitch, Ditzy Scene, or Bell Clinks. And if you want to dive deep into the rabbit hole of creative weirdness, listen to R.E.S., Burn Your House Brown, or To Go Off and Things. Have fun!
I loved your reaction here . . . exactly how most people who have no experience with the band react. That frozen look on your face . . . priceless. I think that's what Tim was shooting for. Who's who here: Tim Smith singing, the genius behind the band, wrote he music, came up with everything. At the time he was married to Sarah Smith, the lovely sax player. Tim's brother Jim is the bass player. The keyboard player is William D. Drake. Drummer is Dominic Luckman; Percussionist is Tim Quy. It's not surprising that you see it all as chaos, because this music is complex, multi-level, and brilliantly performed. Why the weird uniforms, and the make up, and the antics? That was what they were into at the time. I'd recommend reacting to some of their other stuff. Try R.E.S. for instance.
It's not pop music as people recognise it. Fish loved Cardiacs and invited them to support Marillion but their fans used to get scared and throw stuff, they just couldn't understand any of it.
@@Doupyourflies - a lot of prog fans aren't as open-minded as they make out; Hammill (with John Ellis) got slow hand-clapped when I saw them supporting Marillion in 1983 (I went home after that.)
Totally intentional that was t how they used to dress on stage...one of the greatest bands that most people have never heard of, Tim Smith has been described as your cult heroes cult hero
For a bit of context:
That image is from a recent cover version featuring members of several bands including Napalm Death and Voivod. It was recorded as a tribute to the front man Tim Smith who passed away last year. The only person in the image who is actually from Cardiacs is the bassist Jim Smith (guy with the red sash), who is also Tim's brother.
Really enjoyed this reaction! Here's a condensed history of the band that might shed some light.
The band started in the late 70s as Cardiac Arrest, but gained popularity in the early-to-mid 80s as Cardiacs (not "The" Cardiacs). Their two main lineups were a six-piece band with saxophone, keyboards and extra percussion (1980s), and as a quartet with two guitarists (1990s onwards).
The singer/frontman/main creative force behind the band was Tim Smith, arguably one of the most creative and interesting musicians of all time. His brother Jim was the bassist, and the two of them were there from beginning to end. Tim never liked to put their music into a category, he always called it pop - maybe psychedelic if you had to name it.
The media and the music industry absolutely hated them. Their music was always either completely ignored or was given unfairly negative reviews ("Cardiacs are the sound of both feet in the grave"). A newspaper even ran a smear piece claiming that Tim and his then-wife Sarah (the saxophone player) were brother and sister and were having an incestuous relationship.
Sadly, Tim had a heart attack in 2008 which left him paralysed, and Cardiacs never performed again; he died in 2020, effectively ending the band.
If you want to hear something that's easier to get into (but still complex and interesting), try the songs Odd Even, Gina Lollobrigida, or Signs (there's a great live performance of Signs on TH-cam).
If you want something more rock-y with some punk elements, try Fiery Gun Hand, Jibber and Twitch, Ditzy Scene, or Bell Clinks.
And if you want to dive deep into the rabbit hole of creative weirdness, listen to R.E.S., Burn Your House Brown, or To Go Off and Things. Have fun!
A normie doesn't get Cardiacs, nothing new here boy and girls.
Absolutely brilliant. Cardiacs are the most important band ever. Simply.
I loved your reaction here . . . exactly how most people who have no experience with the band react. That frozen look on your face . . . priceless. I think that's what Tim was shooting for.
Who's who here: Tim Smith singing, the genius behind the band, wrote he music, came up with everything. At the time he was married to Sarah Smith, the lovely sax player. Tim's brother Jim is the bass player. The keyboard player is William D. Drake. Drummer is Dominic Luckman; Percussionist is Tim Quy. It's not surprising that you see it all as chaos, because this music is complex, multi-level, and brilliantly performed.
Why the weird uniforms, and the make up, and the antics? That was what they were into at the time.
I'd recommend reacting to some of their other stuff. Try R.E.S. for instance.
i love watching when people first hear this :)
That's exactly what I felt. That they were zombies! Cool, man :)
'Like they rose from the dead.' If only...if only 😥
for a bit more context i suggest u watch the u tube vid cardiacs why i love them
Just think of them as the Monty Pythons Flying Circus of pop. Then go listen to Dirty Boy, and realise I am lying about this.
That was early 80s. The image you have up is a tribute song by other musicians from this last year when Tim died
It's not that weird. 4/4 all the way through, verse x2 chorus, verse chorus, end bit(s).
It's not pop music as people recognise it. Fish loved Cardiacs and invited them to support Marillion but their fans used to get scared and throw stuff, they just couldn't understand any of it.
@@Doupyourflies - a lot of prog fans aren't as open-minded as they make out; Hammill (with John Ellis) got slow hand-clapped when I saw them supporting Marillion in 1983 (I went home after that.)
Nice shirt. You really should give a listen to Sing to God, they're double CD. Then check out Singin to God, a brilliant Acapella cover album.
Totally intentional that was t
how they used to dress on stage...one of the greatest bands that most people have never heard of, Tim Smith has been described as your cult heroes cult hero
First time I saw this (on 'The Tube', when it was released), I knew nothing. I just assumed they'd escaped from an institution.
Your face lol
0:35 LMFAO I got trolled with this last stream
Gotta love Cardiacs :)
Did you watch Loki yet?
I can’t wait until you watch the new Rick and morty season coming out in 5 days