ARRESTING DEVELOPMENT

It's a badge of honour to be one of rock's most divisive bands, and one that Cardiacs' late, great captain, Tim Smith, might have worn with pride. Jo Kendall hears from Tim's brother Jim, Cardiacs' longstanding bassist, about their ongoing legacy as they celebrate the publication of a book, a reissue of second album, On Land And In The Sea, and the long-awaited lost LP, LSD.

- Jo Kendall

For the sake of readers unfamiliar with the group, RC will attempt to nail jelly to a fence when describing Kingston-Upon-Thames' legendary agitating art-pop band, Cardiacs. There are guitars, vocals and drums, yes, often keyboards, brass instruments and saxophone. Occasionally flutes. Perhaps a marimba and other sparkly percussion. Also, a mysterious 'Television Organ'. The musical pathways and patterns these instruments follow touches on anything from punk to psych to music hall to metal, with lyrics that create a universe of odd characters and situations, surreal, absurd and hilarious, but also with the power to be touching and insightful, delivered while jumping around with puppet-panstick slapped on their chops, or toiling in a rotting shed.

It's this uncompromising output that's helped, over four decades, to acquire a throng of passionate devotees looking for music a bit - a lot - different. The word 'cult' has been used. But not here, oh no. Cardiacs' joyously pretentious and finely crafted work flies like an arrow to the audience that need it - and it was ever thus since their start in 1977, as punkers Cardiac Arrest, who employed more than the 'here's three chords' policy, having more in common with XTC, Gentle Giant or Zappa in their fearless intricacy.

But let's leap into the now. It's been five years since Cardiacs lost their North Star, the visionary songwriter, singer, guitarist and producer Tim Smith, and much, much longer, since 2008, when Smith suffered a heart attack after a night out watching My Bloody Valentine at Camden Roundhouse, and a chain of further medical challenges would leave him partially paralysed, unable to speak or perform.