The Cardiacs (or just plain Cardiacs to some) were a fiercely independent band who were formed by brothers Tim and Jim Smith in the late 70’s, and, much like The Fall, over the years underwent many changes around these original two, until tragedy took Tim into a world from which he never returned. There have been a fair few tribute concerts/records to raise money and awareness for Tim’s plight, and Spratleys did reform and tour a couple of times, culminating in a triumphant Garage gig (attended by Tim) in which Mike Vennart took the reins for a mighty rendition of the glorious “Dirty Boy” from Cardiacs 1995 album “Sing To God” –
– but then Tim died, and many of us didn’t feel like singing any more.
Cardiacs fans are a hardy and eclectic bunch, from the hardcore hippy festival days of the early 80’s to the flowery baggy indie’s of the late 80’s, and the Britpop Blur/Kinks fans of the 90’s, the rave dropouts, the prog’eads, the punks, the goths, the metal heads, grunge, twisted techno and even those gleaned from The Tube and the chart show, and since Tim’s untimely demise, and the wormholes created by Youtube, a whole new generation of fans is starting to wash up on the shores of what has become known as the pond. Through social media, and the sharing of stories old and new the pond have become a close knit community of like minded freaks who operate under the guiding principles of inclusivity and kindness and a general spirit of looking out for one another, because sometimes to be a Cardiacs fan is to be lonely, outcast, misunderstood and even reviled, for the Cardiacs themselves were often treated with disdain and ridicule too, not only from the press. but audiences (Marillion) and bands alike.
We didn’t know how much we all needed this when these gigs were announced, but they still sold out in record time, and as we drew nearer to the dates, excitement was fevered. However many were sceptically assuming this was just going to be another “tribute” night, with the Alphabet Business Concern cleverly keeping their secrets right up until the opening night, which started quietly with various members of Lost Crowns, including singer (and guitarist) Richard Larcombe (with his distinctive red and black striped pants), and musicians Charlie Cawood, Rhodri Marsden and Nicola Baigent performing songs from Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake and Sea Nymphs, delivered with precision and aplomb, which is to be expected with players of this calibre. The delicate and difficult music, part medieval, part folk, was handled with due care and diligence, Richard’s vocal reaching the notes with near perfect precision, and we were transported to glimpses of ancient histories uncovered, the dust motes of magic sprinkled amongst the gathering throng of happy faces. The band were replaced in Leeds by none other than Crayola Lectern, whose tunes defy categorisation but who manage to make those chords that, to quote Tim Smith, ‘make your tummy go funny’. Opening with a little known early Cardiacs cover, “Hymn” (‘holding these things in my hand and I end up seeing everything’), which was delivered with such poignancy that the tears started for many of us early that night, and continued with a set containing the beautiful singles “Rescue Mission” and “Slow Down”. Despite the crowds still filing in during the set you could hear a pin drop during some of the delicate moments, especially the mournful, aching, breathy trumpet from Alistair Strachan. Chris Anderson is a national treasure, and you should all devour his records like pack of ravenous dogs – so there.
The gentle tinkling loops of music between the bands, brought to you by the mind of Jesse Cutts, provided the soundtrack to the gathering of the pond, which had managed to fill the place before the entrance of Spratleys (or is it THE Spratleys!), the opening chords of “Pony” stroked into life by Etienne Rodes before Jo Spratley entered the stage on a wave of pure love, delivering what is fast turning out to be a greatest hits of a set. So many highlights, from the intense goth candle-burn of “Secrets”, the slow majesty of “Cabinet”, the glorious “woooohs” of “Hands”, the total full on ROCK of “Klog”, and of course the song that ignited the mosh pit into a bouncing sweaty fury…”Vine”, while Jo, in Victorian widow guise, shimmered, snake-like and stentorious, mesmerising and captivating the audience. Ably assisted by brothers Etienne and Adrien Rodes on guitar and keys respectively, the extremely talented Jesse Cutts on bass, and our very own Stephen Gilchrist (Stephen Evens) on drums, taking it all very much in his stride.
Upon leaving the stage a dirty drone issues from the speakers. A filthy drone which slowly rises in volume and intensity, feeding the speculation as to what to expect. Rumours flew around but no-one really knew, and that’s exactly the way the ABC planned it. Hang on…this was starting to feel like a real Cardiacs gig, the building feeling in the pit of the stomach, the enormous feeling of excitement every time you heard those little chimes from the end of “Snakes-a Sleeping”, and of course the obligatory shouts of “Jim Jim Jim” as 7 white clad figures drift across the stage and plug in and…hang on, this really does feel like an actual Cardiacs concert, then BANG, the lights explode, the band explode and this is the Cardiacs RIGHT IN YOUR FACE and it’s happening RIGHT NOW, as Jon Poole (Cardiacs 1992-1999), front and centre leads the band into “The Duck & Roger The Horse” and the audience erupt en masse into a gelatinous many tentacled beast. All speculation has now been put to bed. This is the Cardiacs, and this is a Cardiacs show. Its loud, raucous, genre-shattering punk rock, masterfully played by some of yer actual Cardiacs. There’s Christian “Bic” Hayes (Cardiacs 1989-1991) stage left, ethereal and reserved, Bob Leith (Cardiacs 1992- present) battering away at his drums like a rocket launcher, and of course the stoic, statuesque Jim Smith (Cardiacs 1977-present) standing stock still while his hands glide up and down his bass like it’s no effort at all, aided and abetted by Craig Fortnam (Arch Garrison, North Sea Radio Orchestra), guitarist extraordinaire who tonight is providing live percussion/keys, Adrien Rhodes (Spratleys) on keys and Chloe Herrington (Chrome Hoof, Valve) on sax.
The band blast through “Too Many Irons”, “Arnald” and early classic “As Cold As Can Be In An English Sea”, with Jon and Bic taking joint lead vocals, coming together with a brilliant rendition of “Day Is Gone”, their harmonies blending so well, especially when one remembers that they never appeared in the line-up together before today. They were then joined by a series of guests, among them Sharron Fortnam (North Sea Radio Orchestra), yours truly (Ultrasound) and Jo Spratley, the crowd singing along to every word while punching the air, sweat flying.
Then out comes Mark Cawthra (Cardiacs 1979-1983) to lead the charge with their “hit” “Is This The Life”, the opening drum salvo spawning an extra roar of approval, the crowd now seeming to levitate with joy, especially if you were there on the Friday, when Kavus Torabi (Cardiacs 2003-2008, Gong ) leapt out of nowhere Spinal Tap style to take the solo.
There were now huge smiles across everyone’s faces, and adoration, not only towards the band on the stage, but to the huge grinning face of Tim Smith on the backdrop, after Jon reminded us all that ‘just because you can’t see him doesn’t mean he’s not there’, because in all but physical body, he was. In the face-aching grins and the sweat drenched bodies; in the glorious noise that culminated in a drone of massive proportion threatening to engulf us all in love; in the cheeky winks and onstage banter, in the heavenward dazed gazes of the thousands of witnesses to this remarkable thing; in the hugs of recognition to faces new and old; in the sheer love and dedication shown by everyone, both band and crew, working so hard to make it such a special night so that once more we could gather and give praise to our glorious leader, all while grinning like maniacs and crying our eyes out at the same time.
But it didn’t even end there. Dizzyingly fast versions of “To Go Off & Things” and “Nurses Whispering Verses” had the crowd spinning like dervishes, before Mark Cawthra came back on to lead the assembled crowd in the rousing chorus of “Big Ship”, which threatened to have the roof off as we all punched the air and sang ‘all of the noise takes me to the outside where there’s all creation joining in celebrating happiness and joy all around the world’, before we were all well and truly engulfed in the drone tsunami and swept off our feet in a tidal wave of ecstatic emotion which took weeks to come down from, all us little pondies swirling in the eddies of Tim’s big love back home to ask ourselves upon waking, did that actually happen? Well there’s only one way to find out, and that’s to do it all again…soon I hope. See you there.
https://www.facebook.com/allthineeyes
Andrew Wood
Photos by Ali Blair
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