Cardiacs - Is This The Life (First Promo)

The original promo. When the single started to take off, a new promo was made (by others) on Hampstead Heath. Part of it was even shown on Top of the Pops. But this one - the original - remains obscure.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Cardiacs
• Is
• This
• The
• Life
• promo

[NB1972]

Yes, I remember the Top 40 breakers but I don't recall seeing this on there. I think it was on The Chart Show on Channel 4 though. Bruno Brookes played it on Radio 1 too :-)

[gehennathehorse]

I was obsessed by Cardiacs at this time, and I am sure my memory is not deceiving me. Is there anyone else out there in YouTubeland who can corfirm whether or not Cardiacs were ever on TOTP (albeit on video for 15 secs)?!;)

[NB1972]

Great song. Wouldn't have been on TOTP though as it only got to No.80.

[gehennathehorse]

Aha! This was at a time when, to try and liven up the charts (and the programme) they introduced a section where they made reference to other tracks that were the highest movers in other charts (e.g indie, dance etc), and therefore possibly bound for the main charts in the coming weeks. They showed a clip of around 15 seconds or so.

[fox408]

now THIS is what the 80's was REALLY all about!

[Dexbam]

yeah, this is one of the best rock-songs of the 80's!

crazy is that barely no one noticed that!

[Monkeyhead75]

Gehenna (or anyone for that matter) do you have a recording of the gig at The Venue with Poisoned Electric Head in support...think it was like a day event with Credit to the Nation and Zu Zu petals? Was my first gig and would love to see it on film :)

[pontello3]

@Bansidhe

possibly , i don't remember wich song come first beside, altough this sis a great cardiac's track ,even if a bit unususal for their repertoire ,wich was more a sort of...punk-prog rock!

very innovative and creative! caridacs totally undrrated band!

[Bansidhe]

@pontello3 It's similair but I wouldn't say it's copied. It's just because it's a pedal tone thing with the droning D string. Billy Duffy (guitarist in The Cult) does a lot of that type of thing.

[therealchriswheelie]

@pontello3 Very sadly, no. As you may know now, guitarist/singer Tim Smith is a poorly chap these days. Last August, Cardiacs officially stated that they were very likely not to return. Sad times indeed - sending bestest wishes to Tim for a full recovery.

[pontello3]

guitar riff sounds like that cult song "rain" or here comes the rain i don't remember....

who know who's copied who? :)

[jonwhittall]

It actually made the top 10 in 88.

[pontello3]

great band!

are they still around?

this song was great but very different from what they were doing normally...wich was a sort a progressive-punk! :)

[greasymac]

who gives a fuck where it got in the charts! bring back tim quy!!!!

[PeckhamExile]

@Atomiumonamour I havnt heard all their stuff, but a fair bit of it...and on the strength of what I have heard to date I have to disagree..this seems a very powerful 'wall of sound' type song jangling guitars solid drums everything else I have heard, IMO just sounds like a quirky mess..and, again personally...irritating to listen to after a while, but if you can point me in the direction of anything as solid and straightforward as this id be grateful I love this track, reminds me of 88 so much

[Atomiumonamour]

This, by the way, is their weakest track.

They see it the same way.

It still has the mind drilling element.