Jim Smith (bassist)
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.
Jim Smith | |
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Smith in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James A. Smith |
| Also known as | Patty Pilf |
| Born | 14 April 1958 Carshalton, Surrey, England |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) |
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| Years active | 1977–present |
| Member of | Cardiacs |
| Formerly of | Katherine in a Cupboard |
| Relatives | Tim Smith (brother) |
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.