CARDIACS – All That Glitters Is Mares Nest | Live @ Salisbury Arts Centre | Fvll concert (1990)

Cardiacs are an English experimental rock band formed by Tim Smith (guitar and lead vocals) and his brother Jim (bass, backing vocals) in 1977. The band’s sound fused circus, baroque pop and medieval music with progressive rock and post-punk, adding other elements like nursery rhymes and sea shanties. Tim Smith was the primary lyricist, noted for his complex and innovative compositional style. He and his brother were the only constant members in the band’s regularly changing lineup.

All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest (also known simply as Maresnest) is a live album and concert film by Cardiacs. It is their third live album, and was originally recorded in the afternoon in the Salisbury Arts Centre on 30 June 1990 with Napalm Death. It is the only Cardiacs album to feature guitarist Christian Hayes throughout. The album was released on VHS in 1992 and as a live album on 1 June 1995.

Napalm Death were recording their video Live Corruption (1992) at the same venue that evening, and seeing as both Cardiacs and Napalm Death shared the same manager, it was decided they could record two live videos in the same place for the price of one-and-a-half. The CD features two extra tracks (“Two Bites of Cherry” and “All Spectacular”) that didn’t appear on the video.

All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest is the only Cardiacs album to feature the band as a septet. The lineup of Cardiacs which played this concert did not entirely reflect the live touring band of the time as Sarah Smith had left the band the previous year, but continued to tour with them until 2007. The show was Tim Quy’s last performance with Cardiacs.

SETLIST:

1. The Duck and Roger the Horse

2. There’s Too Many Irons in the Fire

3. It’s a Lovely Day

4. Everything Is Easy

5. Two Bites of Cherry

6. I Hold My Love in My Arms

7. Arnald

8. Baby Heart Dirt

9. All Spectacular

10. To Go Off and Things

11. Bic’s Bit

12. The Leader of the Starry Skies

13. ABC Bang

14. Tarred and Feathered

15. Fast Robert

16. Big Ship

Encore #1:

1. Visiting Hours

2. (Intro only)

3. R.E.S.

Encore #2:

1. Is This the Life