Jim Smith (bassist)

Last updated
Jim Smith
Jim (76548960).jpg
Smith in 2005
Background information
Birth nameJames A. Smith
Also known asPatty Pilf
Born (1958-04-14) 14 April 1958 (age 65)
Carshalton, Surrey, England
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)
  • Bass guitar
  • vocals
Years active1977–present
Member of Cardiacs
Formerly ofKatherine in a Cupboard
Relatives Tim Smith (brother)

James A. Smith (born 14 April 1958) is an English musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the rock band Cardiacs which he formed with his brother Tim Smith. Along with performing backing vocals for the group, he co-wrote the hymn "The Alphabet Business Concern (Home of Fadeless Splendour)", sang lead vocals on "Food on the Wall" live.

Contents

Smith grew up in Chessington, Surrey, purchasing a bass in 1972. He co-founded the band that would become Cardiacs, Cardiac Arrest, in 1977 on bass and backing vocals, though he allegedly couldn't play an instrument. Smith played on every Cardiacs release and, along with Tim, was the only constant member in the band's regularly changing lineup. He became popular and was often bullied by his brother on stage during Cardiacs performances, with the band purportedly formed to punish him for the unkind things he would do to Tim as an infant.

Following Tim Smith's death in 2020, Jim wrote a funeral notice and released the single "Vermin Mangle" with Cardiacs before performing a new version of the song "Tarred and Feathered" with members of Napalm Death, Voivod and Municipal Waste in 2021.

Early life

James A. Smith [2] was born in Carshalton, Surrey on 14 April 1958. [3] He grew up in a Chessington house with his mother Eileen and his younger brother Tim who was born three years later. [4] Known as 'Jim', [5] [6] Smith purchased a bass guitar to play a blues riff in around 1972 and played with Tim on snare drum according to the official Cardiacs history. His brother attended Fleetwood Secondary School in Chessington, Surrey, with future Cardiacs members Colvin Mayers, Mark Cawthra and Peter Tagg. [7] [8] Tim briefly played bass in his first guitar experiments, before the task was passed to Jim. [9]

Career

Tim (left) and Jim Smith in 1987 Cardiacs Tim and Jim Amsterdam 1987.jpg
Tim (left) and Jim Smith in 1987

Smith realised that music could become his life from the momentum of do it yourself punk. [9] He co-founded the band that would become Cardiacs, Cardiac Arrest, with Tim in 1977. [10] [11] The brothers were the only constant members in the band's regularly changing lineup. [12] Jim played bass guitar and backing vocals, [10] though he allegedly couldn't play an instrument. [13] According to Cardiacs' official history, Tim intended to make him "look as foolish as possible on stage" to punish him "for all the unkind things he would do to him as an infant". [7] On Cardiac Arrest's first album, the cassette-only release The Obvious Identity (1980), [14] [15] Jim was credited as "Patty Pilf". [16] His first writing credit came on the second Cardiacs cassette, Toy World (1981), co-writing the album's lyrics with Tim and Cawthra. [17] In live shows, Jim sang lead vocals on the song "Food on the Wall", [18] a B-side of the band's debut single "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" (1979). [19] [11] On Cardiacs' 1992 album Heaven Born and Ever Bright , Smith co-wrote the opening track "The Alphabet Business Concern (Home of Fadeless Splendour)" with Tim as an overwrought choral tribute to the band's own record label. [9] [20] The hymn was often used to open shows, [21] during which a taciturn Jim would recurringly be bullied by his brother, [20] getting hit violently around the head. [22] Tim would goad him over his weight, announcing during gigs that it would be their last because Jim was "too fat" and "going to die". Jim would reportedly get revenge by hiding Tim's hi-fi and TV in the local pond wrapped in bin bags. [23] Jim became popular, with crowds chanting his name during concerts. [7] [24] His girlfriend Jane ran the band's merch stall. [25]

Smith performing with Cardiacs in 1999. Garage steve jim1.jpg
Smith performing with Cardiacs in 1999.

Smith was also a member of Cardiacs associated project Katherine in a Cupboard (alternatively spelt "Catherine") with Cardiacs drummer Bob Leith. [26] [9]

Tim Smith was awarded an Honorary Degree as Doctor of Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2018, which Jim received in his stead, confessing to the head Registrar that he "felt like a fraud, and it was all probably a mistake." [27] Jim announced Tim's death in July 2020 on the Cardiacs website, saying "my dearest brother Tim passed away suddenly last night. Sorry it’s a brief message but I don’t have it in me to speak at length just now". [28] He wrote a funeral notice for Tim, releasing the song "Vermin Mangle" with Cardiacs the same day. [29]

A one-off supergroup comprising members of Napalm Death, Voivod, Municipal Waste, Child Bite and Yakuza joined forces with Smith to record a new version of the song "Tarred and Feathered" from Big Ship (1987) in remembrance of Tim. [30] [31] Jim, who looked sad, bored and unsmiling with Cardiacs, [7] [32] smiled in the video. [33]

Tim Smith's last task before his death was the 2020 remaster of A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window, which warms up Jim's bass parts. [34]

Musical style and equipment

Smith at Whitchurch Festival in 2000 Wc2k-jim13.jpg
Smith at Whitchurch Festival in 2000

In 2007, The Dreaded Press described Smith live as "a rather grumpy looking bald fellow who has the caricature air of taxman who knows there's been a serious evasion but who can't locate it in the books." [35] Smith's bass guitar has been called "effortlessly brilliant". [7] He played a Rickenbacker bass, [35] specifically a Rickenbacker 4001 in multiple concert appearances and the "Tarred and Feathered" music video. [1]

Discography

Writing credits:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiacs</span> English rock band

Cardiacs are an English rock band formed in Kingston upon Thames by Tim Smith and his brother Jim in 1977 under the name Cardiac Arrest. The band's sound fused circus, baroque pop and medieval music with progressive rock and post-punk, adding other elements like nursery rhymes and sea shanties. Tim Smith was the primary lyricist, noted for his complex and innovative compositional style. He and his brother were the only constant members in the band's regularly changing lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Smith (Cardiacs)</span> British musician and frontman of Cardiacs

Timothy Charles Smith was an English musician, record producer and music video director. A singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Smith rose to prominence as the frontman of the rock band Cardiacs, which he co-founded with his brother Jim. In addition to Cardiacs, Smith led, co-led or contributed to The Sea Nymphs, Tim Smith's Extra Special OceanLandWorld and Spratleys Japs. Recognised for the particular complexity, skill and idiosyncrasies of his songs and music, Smith was honoured with the Doctor of Music degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2018, two years before his death in 2020.

<i>The Seaside</i> (album)

The Seaside is the third demo album from English rock group Cardiacs. The album originally featured the second recording of what would become the band's only hit single, "Is This the Life?". It is the last of the band's releases to feature keyboard player/drummer/singer Mark Cawthra and the first to feature keyboard player William D. Drake.

<i>Archive Cardiacs</i> 1989 compilation album by Cardiacs

Archive Cardiacs is a compilation album by English rock band Cardiacs. The album is composed of early tracks by the band recorded from 1977 to 1979. The tracks were compiled from Cardiacs' demo albums The Obvious Identity (1980) and Toy World (1981), as well as three pieces recorded by Tim Smith and Dominic Luckman for a side project that never saw fruition.

<i>The Obvious Identity</i> 1980 demo album by Cardiac Arrest

The Obvious Identity is a self-released album by English rock group Cardiacs, their first album of any sort, released under the group's earlier name of Cardiac Arrest. The album format was cassette tape, and it was only sold at concerts. The album title came from a name which the band used for a short time prior to taking on the Cardiac Arrest name. Two songs featured the band's original lead singer, Michael Pugh.

<i>Toy World</i> 1981 demo album by Cardiacs

Toy World is the second demo album by the English rock band Cardiacs. The cassette is a mixture of older songs by the earlier Cardiac Arrest lineup and newer songs by the then-current Cardiacs lineup. This was the last album to feature keyboard player/backing singer Colvin Mayers, and the first to feature saxophonist/backing singer/occasional keyboard player Sarah Cutts.

<i>All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest</i> 1992 video / Live album by Cardiacs

All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest is a live album and concert film by the English rock band Cardiacs. It is their third live album, and was originally recorded in the afternoon in the Salisbury Arts Centre on 30 June 1990 with Napalm Death. It is the only Cardiacs album to feature guitarist Christian Hayes throughout. The album was released on VHS in 1992 and as a live album on 1 June 1995.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Cardiacs album) 2002 compilation album by Cardiacs

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the English rock band Cardiacs, released on 22 February 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kavus Torabi</span> Iranian guitarist

Kavus Torabi is a British-Iranian musician, composer, record label owner and radio broadcaster. A multi-instrumentalist, he is known for his work in the psychedelic, avant-garde rock field. Torabi was one of the founding members of the Monsoon Bassoon, was a member of cult progressive rock group Cardiacs, and fronts and plays guitar for the current lineup of legendary psychedelic band Gong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Bus for a Bus on the Bus</span> 1979 single by Cardiac Arrest

"A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" is the debut single by English rock band Cardiacs, then known as Cardiac Arrest, released in 1979 under Tortch Records. The song's title recalls "A Pound for a Brown on the Bus" from the Mothers of Invention album Uncle Meat (1969).

Stars in Battledress are an English musical duo featuring brothers Richard and James Larcombe. They are notable for their complex but tuneful compositions, their unorthodox fusion of folk music sources and British/American art rock influences, and for their intricate and allusive lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spratleys Japs</span> English psychedelic rock band

Spratleys Japs are an English psychedelic rock band formed by Cardiacs leader Tim Smith and Joanne Spratley in 1998. The band changed their name to Tim Smith's Spratleys Rats in 2021 to distance themselves from the negative connotations of the derogatory term Jap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ditzy Scene</span> 2007 single by Cardiacs

"Ditzy Scene" is a song by English rock band Cardiacs. It was planned as the opening track and lead single from the band's unfinished sixth album, LSD. It was released on Org Records, and was the band's last single to be released in frontman Tim Smith's lifetime, as well as their most recent to be composed of entirely new material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiacs discography</span> Band discography

The English rock band Cardiacs have released five studio albums and two extended plays along with a number of singles, compilations, live albums and demos. The group was formed by brothers Tim and Jim Smith in 1977 under the name Cardiac Arrest, releasing their debut single "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" in 1979 and the demo album The Obvious Identity the following year. After being renamed to Cardiacs, the band released two more cassettes, Toy World (1981) and The Seaside (1984).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Day Is Gone</span> 1991 single by Cardiacs

"Day Is Gone" is a song by English rock band Cardiacs from their third studio album, Heaven Born and Ever Bright (1992). It was released as a twelve-inch single preceding the album on 28 October 1991 alongside a free 7-inch titled "Appealing to Venus" by side project the Sea Nymphs from their eponymous debut studio album (1992). Both tracks were written by Tim Smith who solely produced the former, while the Sea Nymphs produced the latter. Musically, "Day Is Gone" has been described as a power pop song with a 5
4 time signature and prominent guitars.

LSD is the unfinished seventh and final studio album by the English rock band Cardiacs. Recording began following lineup changes, with the lead single "Ditzy Scene" released by Org Records in 2007 to tease the upcoming double album. It was due to be released in October 2008, promoted by singles in August and November as well as a reissue of the concert film All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (1992). Production was indefinitely postponed after frontman Tim Smith had a cardiac arrest and stroke on 25 June 2008 leaving him unable to play or provide vocals.

"Stoneage Dinosaurs" is a song by English rock band Cardiacs from their EP Big Ship (1987). The song was written by frontman Tim Smith and produced by Smith alongside Graham Simmonds. Musically, the song is a melancholy track with violins, saxophones and funeral paced drums. Its lyrics reference family, contemporary celebrities and the First World War. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who noted its stark difference to the other tracks on the EP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vermin Mangle</span> 2020 single by Cardiacs

"Vermin Mangle" is a song by English rock band Cardiacs from their unfinished album LSD, intended as the album's final track. The song was written by Tim Smith, who played it live during solo performances in 2000 and 2006. Following Smith's death, it was released as a free download on 1 September 2020 through the band's Bandcamp page as the second single from the album, to mark his funeral that same day. Intended as a thank you to the group's fans, the song features the circus, progressive rock and psychedelic instrumentation that drove much of the band's work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Quy</span> British percussionist (1961–2023)

Timothy Graham Quy was a British musician, best known as the percussionist for the rock band Cardiacs from 1981 to 1990. Initially the band's sound engineer, Quy first gigged as reserve bass player in 1980 and joined full-time on percussion in 1981. He became a key part of the band's classic six-piece lineup, performing on all their releases from The Seaside (1983) to On Land and in the Sea (1989), and was a popular face in the UK underground. Quy's last performance with Cardiacs was documented in the live video All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (1992), where his marimba figures particularly high in the mix.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jim Smith". Equipboard. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Record Transcription: England & Wales Births 1837-2006" . Findmypast . Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  3. ↑ Larkin 1992, p. 93.
  4. ↑ Davis & Torabi 2021, Search phrases "Chessington" and "Tim's older brother".
  5. ↑ Nugent, Annabel (22 July 2020). "Tim Smith death: Cardiacs frontman dies aged 59". The Independent . Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  6. ↑ Reilly, Nick (22 July 2020). "The Cardiacs' Tim Smith has died at the age of 59". NME . Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Mr. Spencer (20 April 2011). "The Cardiacs - an epic overview by Mr. Spencer with help from Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Captain Sensible". Louder Than War . Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "History". Cardiacs . August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Sgrignoli, Marco (20 July 2022). "Cardiacs - biografia, recensioni, streaming, discografia, foto". Ondarock  [ it ] (in Italian). Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  10. 1 2 Ede, Christian (22 July 2020). "Cardiacs' Tim Smith Has Died, Aged 59". The Quietus . Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  11. 1 2 Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (22 July 2020). "Tim Smith, frontman of cult band Cardiacs, dies aged 59". The Guardian . Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  12. ↑ Malt, Andy (23 July 2020). "Cardiacs frontman Tim Smith dies". Complete Music Update . Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  13. ↑ Demalon, Tom. "Cardiacs Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic . Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  14. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (22 July 2020). "Tim Smith Dead: The Cardiacs Singer Dies". Billboard . Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  15. ↑ Kitching, Sean (24 July 2020). "Remembering Tim Smith Of Cardiacs". The Quietus . Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  16. ↑ Benac 2021, p. 11.
  17. 1 2 Toy World (sleeve notes). Cardiacs. Cherry Red Records. 1981 – via bak.spc.org.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Bell 2011, p. 31.
  19. ↑ Bell 2011, p. 382.
  20. 1 2 Cashmore, Pete (2 June 2015). "Cult heroes: Tim Smith led the Cardiacs in the face of hatred – and much love". The Guardian . Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  21. ↑ Kitching, Sean (3 July 2013). "A Little Man & A House & The Whole World Window By Cardiacs Revisited". The Quietus . Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  22. ↑ Sherry, James. "CARDIACS Camden Palace London 1992". Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2022– via Cardiacs.com.
  23. ↑ Kane, Jack (April 2003). "Label of Love". Record Collector . Retrieved 24 October 2022– via Cardiacs.org.
  24. ↑ Bell 2011, pp. 31–32.
  25. ↑ Davis & Torabi 2021, Search phrase "Jim's girlfriend".
  26. ↑ "The Cardiacs - FAQ". Cardiacs. 8 March 1999. Archived from the original on 3 August 2002. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  27. ↑ Kitching, Sean (9 November 2018). "INTERVIEW: Cardiacs' Tim Smith". The Quietus . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  28. ↑ Malt, Andy (23 July 2020). "Cardiacs frontman Tim Smith dies". Complete Music Update . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  29. ↑ Richards, Sam (2 September 2020). "Hear a previously unreleased Cardiacs song, "Vermin Mangle"". Uncut . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  30. ↑ Sacher, Andrew (25 February 2021). "Napalm Death, Voivod, Municipal Waste, Child Bite members & more cover Cardiacs". BrooklynVegan . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  31. ↑ Ewing, Jerry (26 February 2021). "Voivod, Napalm Death and more join Jim Smith for new Cardiacs cover". Prog . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  32. ↑ Bendel, Graham (4 May 2010). "Why A Heart Attack Must Not Arrest The Cardiacs". The Quietus . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  33. ↑ Nubel, Ted; Rosenthal, Jon (9 April 2021). "Records of the Week with Jon and Ted #7". Invisible Oranges . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  34. ↑ McIver, Joel (February 2024). "Heart of the Matter". Record Collector (554). Retrieved 25 January 2024– via Facebook.
  35. 1 2 "Live review: Cardiacs - The Wedgewood Rooms, 22nd November 2007". The Dreaded Press. 27 November 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  36. ↑ Benac 2021, p. 154.
  37. ↑ Benac 2021, p. 14.
  38. ↑ "Credits / Heaven Born And Ever Bright / Cardiacs". Tidal. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2022.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.