# List of Cardiacs band members

Cardiacs are an English rock band hailing from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. The band was formed by frontman Tim Smith with his brother bassist Jim Smith, vocalist Michael Pugh and drummer Peter Tagg in 1977. Since its inception, more than a dozen members have cycled through the group, contributing keyboards, percussion, vocals and woodwind. The Smith brothers were the only constant members in Cardiacs' regularly changing line-up.

## History

After playing his first gig as Gazunder, Tim Smith formed Cardiacs under the name Cardiac Arrest, and released their debut single "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" in 1979. It was recorded by the band's first full lineup, including keyboardist Colvin "Max" Mayers and saxophonist Ralph Cade. The same year, Tagg was replaced by Mark Cawthra and went on to form the Trudy with Cade. Cardiac Arrest's reputation was kickstarted with two cassette-only albums — The Obvious Identity (1980) and Toy World (1981) — and they adopted the name Cardiacs on the second. During this time, Mayers left and later joined the Sound. Cade was replaced by Sarah Cutts in 1981 on keyboards and saxophone, who married Tim Smith three years later. By 1983, the band had reached a semi-stable lineup with percussionist and keyboardist Tim Quy, keyboardist William D. Drake and drummer Dominic Luckman. For a short time, Cardiacs were an eight-piece with the employment of guitarist Graham Simmonds and saxophonist Marguerite Johnston, who featured on the cassette album The Seaside (1984) released by their own label the Alphabet Business Concern.
The six-piece lineup toured extensively alongside Alphabet label representatives the Consultant and Miss Swift. Shortly after releasing On Land and in the Sea (1989), Cardiacs were joined by guitarist Christian "Bic" Hayes the same year. Hayes appeared on the video and subsequent live album All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (1992; 1995), which was also their last performance with Quy. Drake and Sarah Smith also left the group, continuing to guest on future albums, and Hayes was replaced by guitarist and keyboardist Jon Poole in 1991. By 1992, the band had slimmed to a four-piece for Heaven Born and Ever Bright, displaying a new metal-leaning sound. Mayers died due to complications with AIDS in 1993. Luckman was replaced by drummer Bob "Babba" Leith the same year, giving Cardiacs their second "classic" lineup on Sing to God (1996). The lineup continued on Guns (1999) with assistance from session musicians.
Poole subsequently left Cardiacs to join the Wildhearts as a bassist after playing in Silver Ginger 5. He was replaced by guitar tech, Kavus Torabi in 2003 who played on the two volume live album The Special Garage Concerts (2005). Between 2004 and 2008, Cardiacs expanded their lineup to include vocalists Claire Lemmon and Melanie Woods of Sidi Bou Said and Sharron Fortnam of the North Sea Radio Orchestra, as well as percussionists Cathy Harabaras and Dawn Staple. The collective released the single "Ditzy Scene" in 2007, teasing an upcoming double album called LSD which was due to be released in October 2008. Cardiacs stopped touring the same year, and the band's lineup comprised Tim Smith, Jim Smith, Bob Leith, Kavus Torabi, Melanie Woods and Cathy Harabaras until the 2008 hospitalisation of Tim Smith resulted in an indefinite hiatus. On 22 July 2020, it was confirmed by Torabi that Smith had died of a heart attack the previous night. Former percussionist Tim Quy died on 2 February 2023 after a lengthy battle with several health problems.
Cardiacs announced their return to the stage in 2023 in Tim Smith's honour, playing the Garage on 4 May 2024 (subsequently adding dates 3 May at the Garage and 5 May at Brudenell Social Club). On 3 May, the band consisted of Jim Smith, Hayes, Leith and Poole, with Craig Fortnam (percussion, keys), Chloe Herington (saxophone), and Adrien Rodes (keyboards). Sharron Fortnam, Joanne Spratley, Tiny Wood from Ultrasound and Sleepy People, Torabi and Cawthra were guests.

## Members
### Current

| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| | Jim Smith ("Patty Pilf") | 1977–20082024–present | bassvocals | all releases |
| | Christian "Bic" Hayes | 1989–19912024–present | guitarvocals | Heaven Born and Ever Bright (1992)All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (1995) |
| | Jon Poole | 1991–20032024–present | guitarkeyboardsvocals | Heaven Born and Ever Bright (1992)Sampler (1995) – previously unreleased track "Angleworm the Angel"Sing to God (1996)Guns (1999)Greatest Hits (2002) – previously unreleased track "Faster Than Snakes with a Ball and a Chain" |
| | Bob "Babba" Leith | 1993–20082024–present | drumsoccasional vocals | all releases from Sing to God (1996) |
| | Craig Fortnam | 2024–present | percussionkeyboards | none to date |
| | Chloe Herington | 2024–present | saxophonebacking vocals | none to date |
| | Adrien Rodes | 2024–present | keyboards | none to date |
| Quoted names in brackets denote aliases used on early recordings as Cardiac Arrest. |||||

### Former

| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| | Tim Smith ("Philip Pilf") | 1977–2008 (died 2020) | vocals (backing 1977–1980, lead 1980–2008)guitarkeyboards | all releases to date |
| | Michael Pugh ("Peter Boker") | 1977–1980 | lead vocals | "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" (1979)The Obvious Identity (1980)Cardiacs E.P. (2025) – "Aukamakic / Dead Mouse" |
| | Peter Tagg ("Richard Targett") | 1977–1979 | drums | "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" (1979)Cardiacs E.P. (2025) – "Aukamakic / Dead Mouse" |
| | Colvin "Max" Mayers ("Duncan Doilet", "Max Cat", "Button Poppet") | 1978–1981 (died 1993) | keyboardsvocals | all releases from "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" (1979) to Toy World (1981)Cardiacs E.P. (2025) – "Aukamakic / Dead Mouse" |
| | Ralph Cade ("Raphel Cadd") | 1978–1979 | saxophone | "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" (1979) |
| | Mark Cawthra ("Little Bobby Shattocks") | 1979–1983 (guest 2024) | drums (1979–1981)keyboards (1981–1983)vocals | all releases from The Obvious Identity (1980) to Seaside Treats (1985) Big Ship (1987) engineering |
| | Sarah Smith (née Cutts, now Jones) | 1980–1989 (touring and studio guest 1989–2007) | saxophonevocalsoccasional keyboards | all releases from Toy World (1981) to On Land and in the Sea (1989)Songs for Ships and Irons (1991) – previously unreleased track "Everything is Easy"Heaven Born and Ever Bright (1992) – guest appearance on six tracksAll That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (1995)Sing to God (1996) – guest appearanceGuns (1999) – guest appearance on two tracks |
| | Tim Quy | 1981–1990 (substitute bass 1980–1981) (died 2023) | percussionkeyboardsbass (substitute) | Toy World (1981) – live sound credits onlyall releases from The Seaside (1984) to On Land and in the Sea (1989)Songs for Ships and Irons (1991) – previously unreleased track "Everything is Easy"All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (1995) |
| | Dominic Luckman | 1982–1993 | drumsoccasional vocals | Toy World (1981) – lighting credits onlyall releases from The Seaside (1984) to All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (1995) |
| | William D. Drake | 1983–1990 | keyboardsvocals | all releases from The Seaside (1984) to On Land and in the Sea (1989)Songs for Ships and Irons (1991) – previously unreleased track "Everything is Easy"Heaven Born and Ever Bright (1992) – appears on one trackAll That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (1995) |
| | Graham Simmonds | 1983–1984 | guitar | The Seaside (1984)all releases from Seaside Treats (1985) to On Land and in the Sea (1989) – production credits only |
| | Marguerite Johnston | 1983–1984 | saxophone | The Seaside (1984)Seaside Treats (1985) |
| | Kavus Torabi | 2003–2008 (guest 2024) | guitarvocals | The Special Garage Concerts (2005)"Ditzy Scene" (2007)"Vermin Mangle" (2020) |
| | Cathy Harabaras | 2004–2008 | percussion | "Ditzy Scene" (2007)"Vermin Mangle" (2020) |
| | Melanie Woods | 2004–2008 | vocals | "Odd Even" (1996) – guest appearance on B-side "Hurricane""Ditzy Scene" (2007)"Vermin Mangle" (2020) |
| | Sharron Fortnam (née Saddington) | 2004–2007 (guest 2024) | vocals | Guns (1999) – guest appearance on four tracksGreatest Hits (2002) – previously unreleased track "Faster Than Snakes with a Ball and a Chain" |
| | Claire Lemmon | 2004–2007 | vocals | Sing to God (1996) – appears on one track"Ditzy Scene" (2007)"Vermin Mangle" (2020) |
| | Dawn Staple | 2004–2007 | percussion | Sing to God (1996) – "Peril on the Sea" story"Ditzy Scene" (2007)"Vermin Mangle" (2020) |
| Quoted names in brackets denote aliases used on early recordings as Cardiac Arrest. |||||

#### Honorary

Some members of the Cardiacs crew are listed on the album liner notes of Greatest Hits (2002) alongside the other band members.
| Name | Role | Release contributions |
| Mr Hiles (Bill Hiles) | Ordinary Shop Girl | Big Ship (1987) – technical credits only"There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" (1987) – technical credits onlyCardiacs Live (1988) – technical credits onlyOn Land and in the Sea (1989) – technical credits onlyAll That Glitters Is a Maresnest (1992) – technical credits only |
| The Consultant (James Stevens) | managerlabel representative | Seaside Treats (1984) – video appearanceBig Ship (1987) – artwork and management credits only"There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" (1987) – management credits onlyA Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window (1988) – guest appearanceCardiacs Live (1988) – artwork credits onlyArchive Cardiacs (1989) – production credits only |
| Miss Swift (Wendy Swift) | label representative | Seaside Treats (1984) – video appearanceA Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window (1988) – guest appearanceArchive Cardiacs (1989) – production credits only |

### Session

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Tim Hills | 1984 | trombone | The Seaside (1984)Seaside Treats (1985) |
| Mike Peters | 1984 | trumpet | The Seaside (1984)Seaside Treats (1985) |
| Nick Pell | 1984 | trumpet | The Seaside (1984)Seaside Treats (1985) |
| Lanze Lorrens | 1984 | trumpetvocals | The Seaside (1984)Seaside Treats (1985) |
| Wendy Collins | 1984 | vocals on "A Little Man and a House" | The Seaside (1984)Seaside Treats (1985) |
| Ashley Slater | 1988 | trombones | A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window (1988) |
| Phil Cesar | 1988 | trumpetsflugelhorn | A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window (1988) |
| Elain Herman | 1988 | violins | A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window (1988) |
| Mr Walmesley (Mark Walmsley) | 1988 | vocals | A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window (1988)Big Ship (1987) – management credits only"There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" (1987) – management credits onlyCardiacs Live (1988) – management credits onlyOn Land and in the Sea (1989) – management credits onlyAll That Glitters Is a Maresnest (1992) – management credits only |
| Natalie Box | 1996 | violins | Sing to God (1996) |
| Jane Kyprianidis | 1996 | scissors | Sing to God (1996) |
| Mark Barratt | 1996 | trumpets | Sing to God (1996) |
| Chris Brierly | 19961999 | string quartet | Sing to God (1996)Guns (1999) |
| Catherine Morgan | 19961999 | string quartet | Sing to God (1996)Guns (1999) |
| Mark Pharaoh | 19961999 | string quartet | Sing to God (1996)Guns (1999) |
| Robert Woollard | 19961999 | string quartet | Sing to God (1996)Guns (1999) |
| David Murder | 1996 | orchestral arrangements on "Fiery Gun Hand" and "Wireless" | Sing to God (1996)All That Glitters Is a Maresnest (1992) – technical credits onlyHeaven Born and Ever Bright (1992) – technical credits onlyOn Land and in the Sea (1995 reissue) – technical credits only |
| Joanne Spratley | 1999 | vocals on "Sleep All Eyes Open" and "Come Back Clammy Lammy" | Guns (1999) |
| Rob Deschamps | 1999 | tromboneFrench horn | Guns (1999) |
| Suzanne Kirby | 2007 | vocals | "Ditzy Scene" (2007)Some Fairytales from the Rotten Shed (2017) – management credits and video appearance"Vermin Mangle" (2020) |

### Live substitute members

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Notes |
| Jon Bastable | 1983 | bass | Bastable filled in for Jim Smith when neither he nor Tim Quy could make it to a gig. A noted gig was at the Kingston Grove Tavern on 13 July 1983. |
| Stephen Gilchrist | 2004 | drums | Gilchrist filled in for Bob Leith, who had conflicts with Blurt, at shows supporting the Wildhearts in 2004. |
| Jesse Cutts | 2024 | bass | Cutts from Tim Smith's Spratleys filled in for Jim Smith on several tracks in the middle of a Cardiacs Family show at Brighton Concord in October 2024 after Smith had a health scare the night before. |

## Lineups

| Period | Members | Releases |
| Late 1977 – 1978 | Tim Smith – guitar Jim Smith – bass Michael Pugh – vocals Peter Tagg – drums | none |
| 1978 (The Filth) | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass Michael Pugh – vocals Peter Tagg – drums Colvin Mayers – keyboards Ralph Cade – saxophone | "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" (1979) Cardiacs E.P. (2025) – "Aukamakic / Dead Mouse" |
| 1978 – 1979 (Cardiac Arrest) | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass Michael Pugh – vocals Peter Tagg – drums Colvin Mayers – keyboards Ralph Cade – saxophone | "A Bus for a Bus on the Bus" (1979) Cardiacs E.P. (2025) – "Aukamakic / Dead Mouse" |
| July 1979 – June 1980 (Cardiac Arrest) | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass Michael Pugh – vocals Colvin Mayers – keyboards Mark Cawthra – drums, vocals | The Obvious Identity (1980) |
| c. June 1980 – March 1981 | Tim Smith – guitar, keyboards, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Colvin Mayers – keyboards Mark Cawthra – drums, vocals Sarah Cutts – keyboards, saxophone, vocals | Toy World (1981) |
| c. March 1981 – 30 August 1983 | Tim Smith – guitar, keyboards, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Mark Cawthra – drums, vocals Sarah Cutts – keyboards, saxophone, vocals | none |
| 31 August 1983 – 10 July 1984 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Sarah Smith – saxophone Tim Quy – percussion Dominic Luckman – drums William D. Drake – keyboards Graham Simmonds – guitar Marguerite Johnston – saxophone | The Seaside (1984) Seaside Treats (1985) |
| 11 July 1984 – 13 August 1984 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Sarah Smith – saxophone Tim Quy – percussion Dominic Luckman – drums William D. Drake – keyboards Marguerite Johnston – saxophone | none |
| 14 August 1984 – 11 February 1989 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Sarah Smith – saxophone, vocals Tim Quy – percussion, keyboards Dominic Luckman – drums William D. Drake – keyboards, vocals | Rude Bootleg (1986) Big Ship (1987) "There's Too Many Irons in the Fire" (1987) A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window (1988) "Susannah's Still Alive" (1988) Radio 1 Sessions / The Evening Show (1988) Cardiacs Live (1988) On Land and in the Sea (1989) "Everything Is Easy" (1991) |
| 1989 – 30 June 1990 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Tim Quy – percussion, keyboards Dominic Luckman – drums William D. Drake – keyboards, vocals Christian Hayes – guitar, vocals | All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (1995) |
| 31 June 1990 – 16 May 1991 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Dominic Luckman – drums William D. Drake – keyboards, vocals Christian Hayes – guitar, vocals | none |
| c. 17 May 1991 – 20 October 1991 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Dominic Luckman – drums Christian Hayes – guitar, vocals | "Day Is Gone" (1991) |
| 21 October 1991 – 20 July 1993 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Dominic Luckman – drums Jon Poole – guitar, keyboards, vocals | Heaven Born and Ever Bright (1992) |
| 2 December 1993 – 16 October 2003 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Jon Poole – guitar, keyboards, vocals Bob Leith – drums | Sing to God (1996) Guns (1999) "Faster Than Snakes with a Ball and a Chain" (2002) |
| 17 October 2003 – 2004 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Bob Leith – drums Kavus Torabi – guitar, vocals | The Special Garage Concerts (2005) Some Fairytales from the Rotten Shed (2017) |
| 2004 – 2007 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Bob Leith – drums Kavus Torabi – guitar, vocals Sharron Fortnam – vocals Cathy Harabaras – percussion Claire Lemmon – vocals Dawn Staple – percussion Melanie Woods – vocals | "Ditzy Scene" (2007) |
| 2007 – 2008 | Tim Smith – guitar, vocals Jim Smith – bass, vocals Bob Leith – drums Kavus Torabi – guitar, vocals Cathy Harabaras – percussion, vocals Melanie Woods – vocals, percussion | |
| 3 May 2024 – present (Cardiacs Family) | Jim Smith – bass, vocals Christian Hayes – guitar, lead vocals Jon Poole – guitar, lead vocals Bob Leith – drums Craig Fortnam – percussion Chloe Herington – saxophone Adrien Rodes – keyboard | |