musicbassman Posted July 22, 2020 Posted July 22, 2020 I've only just found out that Cardiacs frontman Tim Smith has died after a long illness. He was the guiding light behind the band and a ridiculously talented and creative individual. For those of you who have no great knowledge about Cardiacs and about just how many other mainstream bands were heavily influenced by them, then maybe spare just a few minutes to watch this intelligent and carefully crafted video from Tantacrul, who also explains some of the musical theory behind their tunes. 3 1 Quote
Leonard Smalls Posted July 23, 2020 Posted July 23, 2020 Shame - saw them many times... I knew Bic who was one of their guitar players. 1 Quote
Roger2611 Posted July 23, 2020 Posted July 23, 2020 Sad news, I did on stage effects for them when they played at the Roadmender in Northampton back in 1986 /1987 1 Quote
BassTractor Posted July 23, 2020 Posted July 23, 2020 Love his work. Someone on BC called him something like "a smith of harmonic development" (though probably better worded). I liked that. RIP, Tim. 2 Quote
BrunoBass Posted July 23, 2020 Posted July 23, 2020 Great band, sad news that I'm sorry to hear. 1 Quote
Cairobill Posted July 23, 2020 Posted July 23, 2020 Yup - saw them as a nipper at the Herne Hill Half Moon in '87. Blew the roof off the venue and covered everyone in flour. Intense (and intensely strange) epic-ness. Such a shame what happened. Brilliant musician! 1 Quote
dudewheresmybass Posted July 23, 2020 Posted July 23, 2020 Rest well Tim. was fortunate to spend a good deal of time with the band around the heaven born album time. My favourite memory being invite to eat with the band at a show in at helens, than talking gear with him, Jim ( who is him?) and Jon Poole A truly inspirational musician and human being. 6 Quote
KingPrawn Posted July 23, 2020 Posted July 23, 2020 I saw them support It Bites. Just mind blowing. If anyone doesn’t know them. Please please get on it. 2 Quote
Storky Posted July 23, 2020 Posted July 23, 2020 This has got to be the same “Cardiacs” I saw live in local pubs around 1980/81. I thought they were fantastic and just thought they were a local band. I always wondered what happened to them. RIP 1 Quote
grahamd Posted July 26, 2020 Posted July 26, 2020 An example of Tims genius (I think hes playing the bass himself here) 1 Quote
nige1968 Posted July 26, 2020 Posted July 26, 2020 (edited) On 26/07/2020 at 11:37, grahamd said: An example of Tims genius (I think hes playing the bass himself here) Expand This song has one of my favourite ever lyrics too. Seems to be about someone creating their own Lassie dog porno doll out of bits of dead bug, and it's all ridiculously shoehorned into the rhythm(s) like watermelons stuffed into a sock. It's the opposite of normal songwriting, and also completely brilliant. Reveal hidden contents Real (or imaginary) ice-spitting fire (That comfortable sound) Hands in the air both feet stood on the ground Lassie's on my TV I get flat on all fours and start kissing thr screen And I sit like a good dog in the hope that she might GIVE IN TO ME Whats the matter? Neither good nor bad weather Makes me all ill-like (Suffer with pain) But I don't mind, he is me. "Look Lassie! Watch him until he dies of his brain." All or nothing (Before he dies of his brain) Breathe in my skin ohh! It feeling too hard Start collect the hoofs from my insect graveyard NO LONGER IMAGINERY. I want it, I need it so BAD that I cry Lets make between WE you more Fantastic than we ever feared of HERO COLLIE! Insect hoofs on Lassie instead of feet HE Lassie, not SHE! Because of ME all SHE is blessed with the mane of a HORSE and WINGS of a BEE (And carrying a cluster of bee eggies in the centre of she) CUSTOMISING LASSIE TAIL OUT THE WINDOW PRESS IN COLOURED GLASS FOR MORE BEAUTIFUL EYES! Daddy long-leg lashes how you flirt, get out of here! Our hero dog, insect hoofs on Lassie Worthy of SPACE DOG worthy of ME After my Lassie customising y'be holding up all your Tiny insect hoofs AND WORSHIPPING ME Whats the matter? Insect hoofs on Lassie instead of his feet (HE Lassie not SHE) But I don't mind all she is blessed with the Mane of a HORSE and wings of a BEE Edited July 26, 2020 by nige1968 2 Quote
Dazed Posted August 23, 2020 Posted August 23, 2020 On 26/07/2020 at 11:37, grahamd said: An example of Tims genius (I think hes playing the bass himself here) Expand I get the impression from the playing Jon Poole played a lot of the bass lines on the later recordings. I could well be mistaken and it was Tim. Distinctively different style to Jim!Jim!Jim! Since being introduced to their music a few years ago I became completely hooked on it, after an initial repulsion, I was border line obsessed with their ‘tunes’. By all accounts Tim was a lovely human being. Certainly a talented, if under appreciated musician, composer and producer. 1 Quote
BassTractor Posted August 23, 2020 Posted August 23, 2020 On 23/08/2020 at 16:39, Dazed said: I became completely hooked on it, after an initial repulsion Expand Ha. I recognise that. In my case, I needed to see a vid with them, and experience the fun. Then the penny dropped. Love since. Quote
mike f Posted August 23, 2020 Posted August 23, 2020 (edited) I saw Cardiacs at the Camden Falcon in 1999. Tim, as part of The Sea Nymphs who supported, played a p bass which had a Boss Octave pedal gaffa taped to the lower horn. I remember thinking that his bass playing was wonderful. Regarding Dazed's comments above, listen to Fairy Mary Mag on Sing to God, I get the impression that that's Tim playing. Also if anyone can enlighten me as to what's going on with the bass on Eat It Up Worms Here (at 0:58) I'd be eternally grateful. It just sounds so good. Edited August 23, 2020 by mike f 2 1 Quote
musicbassman Posted August 24, 2020 Author Posted August 24, 2020 On 23/08/2020 at 22:55, mike f said: Also if anyone can enlighten me as to what's going on with the bass on Eat It Up Worms Hero (at 0:58) I'd be eternally grateful. It just sounds so good. Expand Ah, that's easy Mike, it's the sound of the very structures of musical cohesion being torn apart , limb by limb. Possibly by an alien being from another dimension. (I have absolutely no idea what's going on, only Tim knows, and he might explain this to his followers in the afterlife) 4 Quote
mike f Posted August 24, 2020 Posted August 24, 2020 (edited) On 24/08/2020 at 15:25, musicbassman said: Ah, that's easy Mike, it's the sound of the very structures of musical cohesion being torn apart , limb by limb. Possibly by an alien being from another dimension. (I have absolutely no idea what's going on, only Tim knows, and he might explain this to his followers in the afterlife) Expand I thought as much. It sounds like the bass is breathing. It is bloody marvellous. Edited August 24, 2020 by mike f 2 Quote
grahamd Posted August 25, 2020 Posted August 25, 2020 I was lucky enough to support them back in the day, seen them a good few times and a long time fan. Tims legacy will endure Quote
ProfJames Posted August 25, 2020 Posted August 25, 2020 How sad. A pal of mine was their tour manager for many years. Wonderful music........... 1 Quote
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