The Obvious Identity

by Cardiacs

Released: June 21, 1980

Art rock, psychedelic rock, avant-punk, post-punk, art-pop, art-punk, experimental rock, indie rock

The Album

"The Obvious Identity" is the first album by the English rock group Cardiacs, released when they were still called Cardiac Arrest. The album includes two songs featuring original lead singer Michael Pugh, whose only other appearance was on the A Bus for a Bus on the Bus single. The recordings were duplicated onto any old tapes available, resulting in very rough sound quality—described humorously by a band member as "so shit it wouldn’t matter if they were copied onto washing-up sponges." About 1000 cassettes were made.

Inside the Recording

Recorded at Crow Studios in Surrey, it followed a punk/DIY approach due to limited funds.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The title came from a previous band name

The title came from a previous band name.

Watch and listen

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Cardiacs - The Obvious Identity

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Then

Reception

It was self-released on cassette tape and only sold at concerts.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"The Obvious Identity" is the first album by the English rock group Cardiacs, released when they were still called Cardiac Arrest. It was self-released on cassette tape and only sold at concerts. The title came from a previous band name. The album includes two songs featuring original lead singer Michael Pugh, whose only other appearance was on the A Bus for a Bus on the Bus single.

Recorded at Crow Studios in Surrey, it followed a punk/DIY approach due to limited funds. The recordings were duplicated onto any old tapes available, resulting in very rough sound quality—described humorously by a band member as "so shit it wouldn’t matter if they were copied onto washing-up sponges." About 1000 cassettes were made.