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“Surely it’s the greatest psychedelic rock song ever recorded… It makes the whole God thing seem plausible!” Kavus Torabi’s Guide To Cardiacs
This 2014 interview, republished by Prog/Louder, sees Cardiacs guitarist Kavus Torabi talking through his favourite songs by the cult English band led by the late Tim Smith. Torabi, who also plays in Gong and rejoined a reactivated Cardiacs line-up in 2024, describes the group as the greatest he has ever heard, praising their fusion of prog complexity, punk energy and pop melody. The piece carries renewed resonance given Smith's death in 2020, coming 12 years after a heart attack and stroke forced him out of action and ended the band's activity.
Torabi joined Cardiacs on guitar in 2003 and remained in the band until Smith's health crisis in June 2008. In the piece he singles out individual tracks for praise, including one song he calls possibly the greatest psychedelic rock recording ever made, strong enough in his view to make religious belief feel plausible. The article, conducted by Prog writer Dom Lawson, offers a personal, song-by-song tribute to a band whose influence and small but devoted fanbase have long outstripped their mainstream recognition.
In short
- Kavus Torabi picks his favourite Cardiacs songs in a 2014 interview.
- Torabi played guitar in Cardiacs from 2003 until Tim Smith's 2008 stroke.
- Piece resurfaces following Smith's death in 2020, 12 years after his illness.
Explained simply
Cardiacs were an English band led by singer and songwriter Tim Smith. Their music combined the intricate arrangements of progressive rock with the speed and directness of punk and the catchiness of pop, giving them a distinctive sound and a devoted following despite limited mainstream recognition.
Guitarist Kavus Torabi joined the band in 2003 and later also played with Gong. The interview by Prog writer Dom Lawson follows Torabi as he discusses songs that shaped his view of Cardiacs and explains why he rates the band so highly.
Smith suffered a heart attack and stroke in 2008, which ended the band’s activity, and died in 2020. His influence and the loyalty of Cardiacs’ fans have kept interest in the group alive; Torabi later returned to a reactivated line-up.
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