The Cardiacs

[jayvee]

I've given them a fair chance, I've got the sing to god albums and another one and they don't do anything for me. I like bands to experiment but for me the cardiacs experiment more than write good tunes.

Quite agree. I've been forced to listen to plenty of their stuff over the last 15 years and I've tried to like it. God, I've tried. But, it'll never happen.........

Don't get me wrong I've always liked weird experimental shit (Alien Sex Fiend, Boo Radleys, Flux Of Pink Indians (2nd LP), My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Boom etc, etc), but, The Cardiacs really don't do it for me.................

Even so, you can't knock Tim Smiths production wizardry.

[Stuart Brackpool]

One day, way back in '92, a friend of mine received a tape from Organ fanzine. I went round and he had a gleeful, excited look on his face. He said, 'You have to listen to this.' It was Goodbye Grace (from Heaven Born And Ever Bright). My eyes widened and after listening to it a few more times I hunted down the album and fell in love with it. I have most of their others but that one is still my favourite. I can understand why people would find it difficult to get into them (I never got the appeal of The Pixies but many do) but if they lodge in your heart and mind, they'll never move.

As an aside, She Is Hiding Behind The Shed (from Heaven Born...) is still the best song title ever!

Uncategorisable, but how about...Baroque-rock (Ba-rock?)

[geordierussell]

Uncategorisable, but how about...Baroque-rock (Ba-rock?)

Freak Zone sums it up for me...

[Dave C]

The Cardiacs are fucking ace. I'd never heard of them before seeing them support the Wildies a few years back, but since then I've loved them. If you get the opportunity to go see them, go see them. They're fucking superb, barking mad, but superb.

Got my tickets through for the Manc gig this morning.

[Zo]

Yeah I think they've got some good ideas but they are quite unlistenable at the same time. I think Ginger has had some baring on the popularity of them on this board, definitely.

Over and out

No Ginger influence here...

There used to be a band locally called 'poisoned elektrik head' - quite similar stuff although a little more dark and theatrical, used to go watching them quite a bit and they played the local music festival a number of times. I got into the Cardiacs through talking to fans of theirs. When I was about 14. Before I'd even heard of ginger or the wildhearts.

[Ean]

I got into the Cardiacs through talking to fans of theirs. When I was about 14. Before I'd even heard of ginger or the wildhearts.

I don't think there even was a Ginger or The Wildhearts that long ago?!

[lemon & ginger]

No Ginger influence here...

I was generalising, maybe not you, maybe not many but I'm sure Ginger's continual praise of them has had an effect. I wouldn't have bought any of their stuff were it not for them supporting the hearts. I wish I hadn't but that's another story...

[Zo]

I got into the Cardiacs through talking to fans of theirs. When I was about 14. Before I'd even heard of ginger or the wildhearts.

I don't think there even was a Ginger or The Wildhearts that long ago?!

Oi! I'm only a young 'un

I think there definately was a ginger. He's way older than me, lol.

There was a wildhearts too - cos this would have been round about '93. ish. Course I didn't know they existed at that point, shame on me!

[Andy Santiago]

Saw The Cardiacs support Chumbawamba years ago and more recently,The Wildhearts, and the Sonic Cicus/Tim Smith thing.
On each occasion I found myself hating every minute.They did not do it for me in any way.
The Cardiacs may be a great favourite of Ginger but I think they are utterly pretentious shite! Then again,I love Norwegian Black Metal and I would bet most on here would hate that with a passion so,erm, different strokes?

[Stuart Brackpool]

There used to be a band locally called 'poisoned elektrik head' - quite similar stuff although a little more dark and theatrical, used to go watching them quite a bit and they played the local music festival a number of times. I got into the Cardiacs through talking to fans of theirs. When I was about 14. Before I'd even heard of ginger or the wildhearts.

Wow, I loved Poisoned Electrick Head! Blast from the past, though I was never lucky enough to see them. I heard their shows were something to behold. Creature Feature is an ace song and I'm now going to put their mini-album on my computer.

[Zo]

oh. my god. Can't believe I've found someone else who's heard of them!!!

Any chance you could email me a couple of tracks Stuart? All I had were tapes copied from mates back then - which have since got to tape-stuck-in-the-machine heaven

[Damian]

This tour starts next week. Next bloody week!

I am very very excited.

[Stevie Sticks]

The Cardiacs rock in a deeply disturbing kinda fashion.
I love 'em to death.
Tim Smith is a true genius.

Dirty Boy from Sing To God II is probably my fave track of theirs, closely followed by Dog Like Sparky from Sing To God I.
Their music is so lovingly layered and textured, filled with magical harmonies and surreal shenannigans. It just has everything in it, ranging from trad punk to Gabriel-era Genesis.
I first listened to the Archive cd, and admittedly didn't have a clue as to what the hell was going on, THEN....I got the Sing To God ones and Heaven Born & Ever Bright and I was off and running.
I thank God for The Cardiacs most days.

I'll be at the Astoria show next Friday, hopefully my bruv won't pass out this time (right as they started playing Dirty Boy, the inconsiderate git). Still at least I got to say "Hey, CJ" to CJ as I was dragging him out, so, y'know, every cloud....

[lob]

Saw them at Oxford last night ably supported by the GDW's

Cardiacs were once again astonishing, no matter what you think about their recordings live there can't be much that is better. If anyone is in two minds about going to see them do it - if you like intense musical experiences you won't be disappointed. Even when Tim Smith smiles (and he smiled a lot last night) it is very unsettling. If you can get a ticket for the Astoria then for God's sake go - that room loves the Cardiacs.

Spoke to RJP after the gig, he reckons he will be spending most of next year creating the next whores album. What a nice bloke (got an RJP red-eye t-shirt for the daughter but kept the free 'bootleg' CD single for meself tee hee).

[Damian]

Bristol (tonight) and London (Friday) for me. Can't wait.