Cardiacs

I met Tim Smith once, a long, long time ago. He'd formed his band Cardiacs by then, a few years before, in fact, and I think my friend Bill knew him a bit.

We were in the Kingston Mill, one night - me, Bill, Danny, and a couple of others - and Tim came to sit with us. He was a few years older than us and seemed a bit aloof to me, but in hindsight, I suspect he just felt a bit out of place. 

His band never went on to achieve any real mainstream success - with the arguable exception of 'Is This The Life' which is when I first heard of them - but, blimey, there's is a cult following to be admired, including not just many, many fans, but a plethora of spin off bands. 

My friend Ash became one of those fans, and went on to make videos for many of those spin off bands, such as William D Drake, as well as MC'ing one of the annual get togethers by their fans that have taken place since Tim's untimely death a few years ago. 

There was one, today, in Manchester, at Band On The Wall. I'd asked the Minx if she fancied it, and then told Ash we were going. He and our old bandmate, John, decided to come along, then Bob got wind of it and so he, Ross, and E came along, too. 

We met up at eleven for a mildly boozy day before splitting up into gig and non-gig going factions. 

And we - me, Ash, John, and E, plus the Minx - did enjoy the gig, although this genre, which I just think of as 'Cardiacs', is never going to be a cup of tea into which I wholly throw myself. But I did enjoy Bill Drake's set a lot, as well as various songs and bits and pieces from the bands. 

Today's Extra is the Good Gang plus John: (l to r) E, Ross, Bob, Ash, John, and yours truly.