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==History==
==History==


In 1975, Tim Smith played guitar in a nameless punky, psychedelic instrumental band with school friends [[Mark Cawthra]] (Drums) and David Philpot (Keyboard). Tim was taken aback by the sound of David’s [[Korg]] synthesiser and would later use the sound early on in Cardiac Arrest/[[Cardiacs]].
In 1975, Tim Smith played guitar in a nameless punky, psychedelic instrumental band with school friends [[Mark Cawthra]] (Drums) and David Philpot (Keyboard). Tim was taken aback by the sound of David’s [[Korg]] synthesiser and would later use the sound early on in Cardiac Arrest/[[Cardiacs]].{{fact}}


⚫
In 1979, Tim helped record a 7”, ''[[A Bus for a Bus on the Bus]]'', at Elephant Studios in [[London]].{{fact}} He was later forced to look for a new vocalist and drummer after Mike Pugh, Ralph Cade and Peter Tagg left the band. He decided to take over the vocals himself and invited Mark Cawthra in to play drums. 1980 saw Tim recording the first and only Cardiac Arrest album, ''[[The Obvious Identity]]''.{{fact}} Eventually, 1000 cassettes were recorded, but only sold at concerts to save on expenditure.{{fact}}
In mid-1977, Tim Smith founded The Filth (sometimes erroneously referred to as Philip Pilf & The Filth <ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/wy/cardiacs/cardiacs/cdxgiglist.htm Cardiacs: The Ultimate Cardiacs Gig List<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>) before changing the act’s name to Cardiac Arrest. Also in the band were his brother, Jim (Bass Guitar), former Fleetwood Secondary school friends, Peter Tagg (Drums) and Michael Pugh (Vocals), and Colvin Mayers (Keyboards) and Ralph Cade (Saxophone). They played their first concert at The Kaleidoscope in [[Kingston upon Thames]], [[Surrey]]. Tim would humiliate his brother, Jim, on stage and this would become a token part of all further concerts.


⚫
Tim decided to change the name of the band to [[Cardiacs]] in 1981.{{fact}} He helped record the band’s first album, ''[[Toy World]]'', in the same manner as the Cardiac Arrest album – on cassette tape – at a small basement studio known as Crow Studios (owned and run by Peter Kunzler).{{fact}} After another line up change, Tim recruited Tim Quy (Percussion), Sarah Cutts (Saxophone) and Dominic Luckman (Drums) into the fold.{{fact}}
⚫
In 1979, Tim helped record a 7”, ''[[A Bus for a Bus on the Bus]]'', at Elephant Studios in [[London]]. He was later forced to look for a new vocalist and drummer after Mike Pugh, Ralph Cade and Peter Tagg left the band. He decided to take over the vocals himself and invited Mark Cawthra in to play drums. 1980 saw Tim recording the first and only Cardiac Arrest album, ''[[The Obvious Identity]]''. As he had little cash to invest in the project, he recorded the album onto as many old cassette tapes as he could find. Tim{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} says of the venture that "[t]he recordings were so shit it wouldn’t matter if they were copied onto washing up sponges".<ref>[http://www.cardiacs.com/history/ Cardiacs Official Website » History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Eventually, 1000 cassettes were recorded, but only sold at concerts to save on expenditure.


⚫
In 1983, Tim saw William D. Drake performing on a piano in a public house and drafted him into the ranks of [[Cardiacs]] as keyboard player.{{fact}} He also married Sarah Cutts this year.{{fact}}
⚫
Tim decided to change the name of the band to [[Cardiacs]] in 1981. He helped record the band’s first album, ''[[Toy World]]'', in the same manner as the Cardiac Arrest album – on cassette tape – at a small basement studio known as Crow Studios (owned and run by Peter Kunzler). After another line up change, Tim recruited Tim Quy (Percussion), Sarah Cutts (Saxophone) and Dominic Luckman (Drums) into the fold.


⚫
The low budget label Alphabet Business Concern was created in 1984.{{fact}} Tim was asked by vocalist [[Fish (singer)|Fish]] to support his band [[Marillion]] on their forthcoming tour near the end of the year. Tim agreed but was not prepared for the hostile audience that awaited them on all legs of the tour (forcing them off the final three days of the tour).{{fact}}
⚫
In 1983, Tim saw William D. Drake performing on a piano in a public house and drafted him into the ranks of [[Cardiacs]] as keyboard player. He also married Sarah Cutts this year.


⚫
In 1985, Tim was approached by students Mark Francombe and Nick Elborough with an offer to shoot footage of them at one of their live concerts as part of their coursework project. The Surbiton Assembly Rooms was chosen, but Tim was unhappy with the resultant footage and canned the project.{{fact}} The students then assisted Tim with making a promotional video, produced and directed by Tim himself,<ref>credited on Seaside Treats box</ref> called ''[[Seaside Treats (Video)|Seaside Treats]]'', which would include a 10-minute feature called "The Consultant’s Flower Garden" and three music videos. T video was released.<ref>[http://www.markfrancombe.com/uncle_ian/Cardiacs/HTML/Treats3.htm Seaside Treats<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
⚫
The low budget label Alphabet Business Concern was created in 1984. Tim often refers to the label as a totalitarian organisation, saying that they were in control of the band up until 1989. They would be responsible for distributing most of Tim’s recordings with various outfits. Tim was asked by vocalist [[Fish (singer)|Fish]] to support his band [[Marillion]] on their forthcoming tour near the end of the year. Tim agreed but was not prepared for the hostile audience that awaited them on all legs of the tour (forcing them off the final three days of the tour).<ref>[http://www.anyware.co.uk/williamddrake/biography.html William D. Drake<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


⚫
During the 1990s, Tim took a break from [[Cardiacs]] to work on various other projects. During 1989 and 1991, he wrote songs for a solo album, ''[[Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld]]'', eventually released in 1995{{fact}}. He, estranged wife Sarah (now said to be practising as a white witch{{fact}}) and William D. Drake were reunited as [[The Sea Nymphs (band)|The Sea Nymphs]], a folkier, more ethereal and relaxed version of [[Cardiacs]].{{fact}} The threesome had already recorded before in 1984 and released a cassette album, ''[[Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake]]''.{{fact}} Tim also performed with ex-Cardiacs guitarist Bic Hayes in Panixsphere in 1993 (although no official recordings exist yet) and with love interest Jo Spratley in [http://www.anyware.co.uk/japs/ Spratleys Japs] from 1995. 1999 saw the release of the latest Cardiacs studio album, [[Guns_(album)|Guns]], on the Alphabet label.{{fact}}
⚫
In 1985, Tim was approached by students Mark Francombe and Nick Elborough with an offer to shoot footage of them at one of their live concerts as part of their coursework project. The Surbiton Assembly Rooms was chosen, but Tim was unhappy with the resultant footage and canned the project. The students then assisted Tim with making a promotional video, produced and directed by Tim himself,<ref>credited on Seaside Treats box</ref> called ''[[Seaside Treats (Video)|Seaside Treats]]'', which would include a 10-minute feature called "The Consultant’s Flower Garden" and three music videos. This was successful and the video was released.<ref>[http://www.markfrancombe.com/uncle_ian/Cardiacs/HTML/Treats3.htm Seaside Treats<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


⚫
The 21st Century has seen Tim (with [[Cardiacs]]) release one single, "[[Ditzy Scene]]", in 2007.{{fact}} He has used most of the time again touring and working on new recording output for the near future. In March 2006, he toured with [[Ginger & The Sonic Circus]] as their support act, performing acoustic versions of [[Cardiacs]] songs, along with his own material.{{fact}}
In March 1987, Tim and his wife, Sarah, were embroiled in a scandal started by ''The [[Sunday Sport]]'' newspaper. The headline ran, "In the bizarre world of music… anything goes - even INCEST."<ref>[http://www.cardiacs.org/exhibits/documents/docs_sundaysport.html Sunday Sport<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The paper tried to say that Tim and Sarah were, in fact, brother and sister and that their relationship was [[incest]]uous. This was shown to be nonsense, although then manager, "Spitty" Mark Walmesley, was thought to have started the whole rumour to gain some publicity for the band. In 1989, unrelated to the Sunday Sport 'scandal', Tim and Sarah separated.


⚫
On 25 June 2008 Tim Smith suffered a combined heart attack and stroke, and is currently in the process of recovering.{{fact}} As such, all plans for the new Cardiacs album and other future work have been postponed indefinitely. However, a tribute album was released in December 2010 on the website of The Genepool.{{fact}}
⚫
During the 1990s, Tim took a break from [[Cardiacs]] to work on various other projects. During 1989 and 1991, he wrote songs for a solo album, ''[[Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld]]'', eventually released in 1995. He, estranged wife Sarah (now said to be practising as a white witch) and William D. Drake were reunited as [[The Sea Nymphs (band)|The Sea Nymphs]], a folkier, more ethereal and relaxed version of [[Cardiacs]]. The threesome had already recorded before in 1984 and released a cassette album, ''[[Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake]]''. Tim also performed with ex-Cardiacs guitarist Bic Hayes in Panixsphere in 1993 (although no official recordings exist yet) and with love interest Jo Spratley in [http://www.anyware.co.uk/japs/ Spratleys Japs] from 1995. 1999 saw the release of the latest Cardiacs studio album, [[Guns_(album)|Guns]], on the Alphabet label.

⚫
The 21st Century has seen Tim (with [[Cardiacs]]) release one single, "[[Ditzy Scene]]", in 2007. He has used most of the time again touring and working on new recording output for the near future. In March 2006, he toured with [[Ginger & The Sonic Circus]] as their support act, performing acoustic versions of [[Cardiacs]] songs, along with his own material.

⚫
On 25 June 2008 Tim Smith suffered a combined heart attack and stroke (see http://www.cardiacs.com/index.php), and is currently in the process of recovering.<ref>Official Cardiacs website</ref> As such, all plans for the new Cardiacs album and other future work have been postponed indefinitely.
However, a tribute album was released in December 2010 on the website of The Genepool http://www.thegenepool.co.uk/items/597.htm
There is also a companion album available: http://www.thegenepool.co.uk/items/627.htm

==Influence==

Tim Smith has influenced over three decades of musicians (including the pioneers of the [[Nu Metal]], [[Avant-Garde Metal]] and [[Math Rock]] genres), such as Mike Vennart of [[Oceansize]], [[Mike Patton]] of [[Faith No More]] and [[Mr Bungle]], [[Damon Albarn]] of [[Blur (band)|Blur]], [[Gorillaz]], [[Thom Yorke]] of [[Radiohead]], and [[Steven Wilson]] of [[Porcupine Tree]], as well as such acts as [[Dog Fashion Disco]], [[System of a Down]], [[They Might Be Giants]], [[The Adicts]], [[Marillion]], [[Tool (band)|Tool]], [[Estradasphere]], [[Sikth]], [[The Wildhearts]], [[The Blood Brothers (band)|The Blood Brothers]], [[The Darkness (band)|The Darkness]], [[The Scaramanga Six]], [[Toy Dolls]], [[Kaiser Chiefs]], [[Nomeansno]], [[Ring (band)|Ring]], [[Uz Jsme Doma]], [[The Monsoon Bassoon]], [[Battles (band)|Battles]], [[Jellyfish]], [[Melvins]], [[Hella]], [[This Heat]], [[Primus (band)|Primus]], [[Kino (band)|Kino]], [[The Mars Volta]], [[Pixies]], [[The Young Knives]], [[It Bites]], [[Korn]], [[Clor]], [[Clearlake (band)|Clearlake]], [[Talking Heads]], [[OTT (band)|Ott]], [[Oingo Boingo]], [[Flipron]], [[The Smashing Pumpkins]], [[Super Furry Animals]], [http://www.myspace.com/littletrophy Little Trophy], [[The Display Team]], [[Silvery (band)|Silvery]], and many others have cited Tim Smith's work as a major influence.<ref>[http://www.mandiapple.com/Cardiacsintro.html Cardiacs intro<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Wildhearts have also recorded a song entitled 'Tim Smith' which can be found on their album 'Chutzpah!'.


==Work as producer, video director and label boss==
==Work as producer, video director and label boss==


Smith owns and operates his own recording studio - Apollo 8, currently based near [[Salisbury]], [[Wiltshire]] - and has a long list of production credits to his name.
Smith owns and operates his own recording studio - Apollo 8, currently based near [[Salisbury]], [[Wiltshire]] - and has a long list of production credits to his name.{{fact}}


Since the early nineties Smith has produced recordings for a variety of musicians and musical groups, many of whom belong to the so called "Cardiacs family". These include [[Levitation]], [[Sidi_Bou_Said_(band)|Sidi Bou Said]], Eat, [[The Monsoon Bassoon]], [[The Wildhearts|Wildhearts]] frontman [[Ginger (singer)|Ginger]] (including his [[Silver Ginger 5]] and Howling Willie Cunt projects), [[Stars In Battledress (band)|Stars In Battledress]], [[Oceansize]], [[William D. Drake]], The Shrubbies, [[The Scaramanga Six]] and [http://www.thetrudy.co.uk/ The Trudy].
Since the early nineties Smith has produced recordings for a variety of musicians and musical groups, many of whom belong to the so called "Cardiacs family". These include [[Levitation]], [[Sidi_Bou_Said_(band)|Sidi Bou Said]], Eat, [[The Monsoon Bassoon]], [[The Wildhearts|Wildhearts]] frontman [[Ginger (singer)|Ginger]] (including his [[Silver Ginger 5]] and Howling Willie Cunt projects), [[Stars In Battledress (band)|Stars In Battledress]], [[Oceansize]], [[William D. Drake]], The Shrubbies, [[The Scaramanga Six]] and [http://www.thetrudy.co.uk/ The Trudy].{{fact}}


Smith has created and/or edited pop videos for various bands including [[Sepultura]], [[Dark Star (band)|Dark Star]] and [[The Frank and Walters]], as well as [[Cardiacs]].
Smith has created and/or edited pop videos for various bands including [[Sepultura]], [[Dark Star (band)|Dark Star]] and [[The Frank and Walters]], as well as [[Cardiacs]].{{fact}}


In 2008 Smith created a film called "The Wildhearts Live In The Studio: A Film By Tim Smith", featuring [[The Wildhearts]] playing their self titled album along with surreal interludes.
In 2008 Smith created a film called "The Wildhearts Live In The Studio: A Film By Tim Smith", featuring [[The Wildhearts]] playing their self titled album along with surreal interludes.{{fact}}


Smith also runs the record label [http://www.anyware.co.uk/ame/ All My Eye And Betty Martin Music] which has released material by Spratleys Japs, [[William D. Drake]], and [[Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake]].
Smith also runs the record label [http://www.anyware.co.uk/ame/ All My Eye And Betty Martin Music] which has released material by Spratleys Japs, [[William D. Drake]], and [[Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake]].{{fact}}


==Discography==
==Discography==

Revision as of 14:03, 19 May 2013

For other people named Tim Smith, see Tim Smith (disambiguation).

Tim Smith
Born (1961-07-03) 3 July 1961 (age 62)
GenresArt rock, psychedelic pop, progressive rock, post-punk
Occupation(s)Singer-Songwriter, Composer, Poet, Music Producer, Vocalist, Lyricist, Music Video Director, Record Label Owner, Recording Studio Owner
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer, Mellotron, Flute, Recorder, Percussion
Years active1975–present
LabelsAlphabet Business Concern
All My Eye And Betty Martin Music
Websitehttp://www.cardiacs.com

Tim Smith (born 3 July 1961 in Carshalton, Surrey, England) is an English singer-songwriter, composer, poet, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and music video director.[citation needed]

Musical approach

Instrumental

In addition to singing, Smith plays electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, a variety of keyboards (including piano, synthesizer, mellotron and organ), flute, recorder and percussion.[citation needed]

Musical style

Smith is credited as being the inventor of the Pronk (progressive punk) music genre; a name actually coined in the early 90s, but attributed to music critics of the late 70s "who were baffled by Cardiacs' unique sound, in order to try to place a genre label on their music".[citation needed] The term Pronk was said to have only been used by these music critics when trying to describe Cardiacs' very early work of the late 1970s, and that "However, Smith 'rejected' the term from the off - stating that Cardiacs are a Pop or Psychedelic act if anything".[citation needed]

Lyrical style and themes

Smith's work often deals with the exploration of childhood or adolescent fears and anxieties, the terror of war, paranoia, loneliness, pain, love, obsession, isolation, sexuality, satire on ways of living, the sins of religion and the ideal of a better world.[citation needed]

Inspirations

While expressing appreciation for such artists as XTC, Gong, Gentle Giant, early Genesis, and Frank Zappa, Smith's lyrical references include the work of George Darley, Charles Kingsley, William Blake, Pedro Carolino, William Shakespeare, Charles Laughton and David Lynch.[1]

History

In 1975, Tim Smith played guitar in a nameless punky, psychedelic instrumental band with school friends Mark Cawthra (Drums) and David Philpot (Keyboard). Tim was taken aback by the sound of David’s Korg synthesiser and would later use the sound early on in Cardiac Arrest/Cardiacs.[citation needed]

In 1979, Tim helped record a 7”, A Bus for a Bus on the Bus, at Elephant Studios in London.[citation needed] He was later forced to look for a new vocalist and drummer after Mike Pugh, Ralph Cade and Peter Tagg left the band. He decided to take over the vocals himself and invited Mark Cawthra in to play drums. 1980 saw Tim recording the first and only Cardiac Arrest album, The Obvious Identity.[citation needed] Eventually, 1000 cassettes were recorded, but only sold at concerts to save on expenditure.[citation needed]

Tim decided to change the name of the band to Cardiacs in 1981.[citation needed] He helped record the band’s first album, Toy World, in the same manner as the Cardiac Arrest album – on cassette tape – at a small basement studio known as Crow Studios (owned and run by Peter Kunzler).[citation needed] After another line up change, Tim recruited Tim Quy (Percussion), Sarah Cutts (Saxophone) and Dominic Luckman (Drums) into the fold.[citation needed]

In 1983, Tim saw William D. Drake performing on a piano in a public house and drafted him into the ranks of Cardiacs as keyboard player.[citation needed] He also married Sarah Cutts this year.[citation needed]

The low budget label Alphabet Business Concern was created in 1984.[citation needed] Tim was asked by vocalist Fish to support his band Marillion on their forthcoming tour near the end of the year. Tim agreed but was not prepared for the hostile audience that awaited them on all legs of the tour (forcing them off the final three days of the tour).[citation needed]

In 1985, Tim was approached by students Mark Francombe and Nick Elborough with an offer to shoot footage of them at one of their live concerts as part of their coursework project. The Surbiton Assembly Rooms was chosen, but Tim was unhappy with the resultant footage and canned the project.[citation needed] The students then assisted Tim with making a promotional video, produced and directed by Tim himself,[2] called Seaside Treats, which would include a 10-minute feature called "The Consultant’s Flower Garden" and three music videos. T video was released.[3]

During the 1990s, Tim took a break from Cardiacs to work on various other projects. During 1989 and 1991, he wrote songs for a solo album, Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld, eventually released in 1995[citation needed]. He, estranged wife Sarah (now said to be practising as a white witch[citation needed]) and William D. Drake were reunited as The Sea Nymphs, a folkier, more ethereal and relaxed version of Cardiacs.[citation needed] The threesome had already recorded before in 1984 and released a cassette album, Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake.[citation needed] Tim also performed with ex-Cardiacs guitarist Bic Hayes in Panixsphere in 1993 (although no official recordings exist yet) and with love interest Jo Spratley in Spratleys Japs from 1995. 1999 saw the release of the latest Cardiacs studio album, Guns, on the Alphabet label.[citation needed]

The 21st Century has seen Tim (with Cardiacs) release one single, "Ditzy Scene", in 2007.[citation needed] He has used most of the time again touring and working on new recording output for the near future. In March 2006, he toured with Ginger & The Sonic Circus as their support act, performing acoustic versions of Cardiacs songs, along with his own material.[citation needed]

On 25 June 2008 Tim Smith suffered a combined heart attack and stroke, and is currently in the process of recovering.[citation needed] As such, all plans for the new Cardiacs album and other future work have been postponed indefinitely. However, a tribute album was released in December 2010 on the website of The Genepool.[citation needed]

Work as producer, video director and label boss

Smith owns and operates his own recording studio - Apollo 8, currently based near Salisbury, Wiltshire - and has a long list of production credits to his name.[citation needed]

Since the early nineties Smith has produced recordings for a variety of musicians and musical groups, many of whom belong to the so called "Cardiacs family". These include Levitation, Sidi Bou Said, Eat, The Monsoon Bassoon, Wildhearts frontman Ginger (including his Silver Ginger 5 and Howling Willie Cunt projects), Stars In Battledress, Oceansize, William D. Drake, The Shrubbies, The Scaramanga Six and The Trudy.[citation needed]

Smith has created and/or edited pop videos for various bands including Sepultura, Dark Star and The Frank and Walters, as well as Cardiacs.[citation needed]

In 2008 Smith created a film called "The Wildhearts Live In The Studio: A Film By Tim Smith", featuring The Wildhearts playing their self titled album along with surreal interludes.[citation needed]

Smith also runs the record label All My Eye And Betty Martin Music which has released material by Spratleys Japs, William D. Drake, and Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake.[citation needed]

Discography

Cardiac Arrest

Cardiacs

The Sea Nymphs

OceanLandWorld

Spratleys Japs

  • Pony CD (2001) AME CD001
  • Hazel CD Single (2001) AME CD002

Albums produced

References

  1. ^ CARDIACS: Poetry and words for your viewing pleasure
  2. ^ credited on Seaside Treats box
  3. ^ Seaside Treats

External links

Template:Persondata

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