Cardiacs' biggest fans are an intense lot. They worship Tim Smith's crazy gang of eccentrics like few other fans. They're right to do so, because Cardiacs are undoubtedly one of the most talented and important bands ever. Their tight musicianship, dense compositions and totally unique carnival-punk sound influenced pretty much ever underground punk band that followed them, but few of their imitators even get close to the singular style of their heroes. Music magazine Organ once claimed that "one Cardiacs song contains more ideas than most other musicians' entire careers", and it's hard to disagree. Their progressive punk style (nicknamed "pronk" by journalists) fuses old school punk sounds with everything from carnival music, to ska, to mediaeval scales, to folk, to metal, to hymns. It's unbelievably complex, and undeniably FUN. Smith's vocals, sneeringly cockney, may initially bring to mind the ska of The Specials or Madness. But soon it becomes clear that he's far more maniacal than that. He's like the most insane folk storyteller you've ever heard, sneering and laughing at you as you try to make sense of his wonderfully surreal lyrics. Smith is inspired by the poetry of everyone from Blake to Eliot, and it tells in the abstract imagery that his lyrics evoke. The band are currently on a long-term hiatus following the singer's heart-attack in 2010. Hopefully Smith makes a full recovery soon, as the world needs his weird dose of genius. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNdnOTvGbJQ
