Comments on: Ginger’s Secret History of Rock’n’Roll (pt. 7)

By: Haywood Manley

Haywood Manley — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:15:22 +0000

It is a bit dangerous getting into Cardiacs. Once you “get it” you realise that all other music is a bit lacking really. I’ve given it some quite serious thought and have concluded that they are the greatest band this planet has ever produced. No-one else gets anywhere near.

By: Mr Sheridon

Mr Sheridon — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:06:57 +0000

Cardiacs – Without question…the greatest band in the world. EVER!!!

By: moke72

moke72 — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:49:54 +0000

I couldn’t agree with the above more.

CARDIACS forever……………………………x

By: jake pinhead

jake pinhead — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:27:05 +0000

Hysterical and loving analysis of without doubt one of the most important rock bands to have come out of this country ever. Like being battered by a pillow until you have had as much damage as if you had been hit by a breeze block is brilliant! To those of you who have never heard cardiacs live, you’ll probably think that Ginger is being funny… He’s not. It’s perfect;y accurate.

The fact is, countless bands owe so much to Tim Smith. Blur were in the moshpit/pond with us from the mid to late eighties. When they were number one with Girls who Like Boys, they appeared at a Cardiacs gig, (Camden Palace) and walked through the crowd up to the stage and shook the hands of the entire band mid-set, in total respect.

There’s an issue of the Penguin Book of Rock that states that Cardiacs will be seen as “the most seminal band of the eighties”.

Sadly, Tim is extremely ill after suffering a cardiac arrest, (Not so funny when you think about it) He can not play a guitar anymore, hardly even hold a cup. The message is that he is slowly recovering but it will be a very, very long journey.

Someone in the biz should get this news to the likes of Damon Albarn. Tim Smith is notoriously private and humble but he should be honoured and certainly not forgotten. Those who have learnt at the feet of Timmy and his wildly creative/distinctly disturbing/phat with love compositions should get together and play a gig for him or do something to bring the great name of the great Cardiacs to the ears of the new generations of listeners.

Writing this review of Cardiacs was a fantastic thing to do. Hope all those up here who have been impressed by Ginger’s work go on to check out Cardiacs.

All the best!

Jake

By: Mike Lapworth

Mike Lapworth — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:29:54 +0000

So glad to see the most original and truly unique band this country has ever produced get some recognition.

This review is so spot on and somehow manages to put into words what the Cardiacs listening experience is actually like, agreed it’s not easy listening but most of the best music isn’t is it??…….

We need Tim to get better soon, can’t bear the thought of never seeing them play live again

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:39:17 +0000

Having just checked out Ginger’s last recommendation(Trail of Dead/So
Divided) and found it a good, (not great..but good) album, I think the
man’s rock radar is pretty tuned in. Also being a Wildhearts fan, I am
inclined to give anything he points me towards a fair shake.
So it looks like the Cardiacs will be next up for me to investigate.
Now seeing as I’m not the front man of a semi-famous band, its unlikely
that Classic Rock will ever give me a blog,. But if I may hijack the
platform a moment, I think regular readers of Ginger’s column may also be
interested in the following two ’slipped through the cracks’ releases.

1.Tsar-self titled release. Amazing powerpop with more hooks than a tackle
box! Usually available for like, a nickel online. Go get it!

2. 60 ft. Dolls-Joya Magica. On par with the Jam’s Sound Affects in terms
of sheer songcraft. Not a bad track on this one

By: rich parker

rich parker — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:27:09 +0000

I fucking love The Cardiacs!

Well done Ginger!

First saw em in 1989 and if you ever get chance to see em live then GO!

Saw em a few years back in Sheffield supporting The Wildhearts, and the look on the faces of ya average Wildhearts fan was just priceless when The Cardiacs hit the stage.

By: Jules

Jules — Sat, 09 May 2009 10:18:56 +0000

I’ve always felt I should like the Cardiacs, but never quite got them. There’s always a point with challenging music when it suddenly makes sense (sometimes in a slightly surreal or disturbed fashion, but sense non the less), and I’ve never quite reached that with the Cardiacs. I guess this is as good a time as any to have another go…