Cardiac Kidz

ByLets Go Punk
Cardiac Kidz is a San Diego-based punk rock band that emerged in the late 1970s

Cardiac Kidz was a pioneering punk rock band from San Diego, California, active primarily from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. Known for their raw energy and DIY ethos, the band was one of the first punk groups to gain notable media attention in San Diego, appearing on television and receiving airplay on local radio stations. Their music blended punk’s fast-paced aggression with catchy hooks, making them a staple of the Southern California punk scene.

History

Formation and Early Years (1976–1979)

The band was formed by Jim Ryan (drums/vocals) and Billy Williams (rhythm guitar) after their previous band, Glass Onion, disbanded in 1976. They soon teamed up with lead guitarist Jerry Flack and bassist Steve Lightfoot to form Cardiac Kidz. The group gained traction by performing at local clubs and venues in Southern California. They created their own record label, Lub-Dub Records, and in 1979, released two vinyl records: the 45 rpm single “Get Out / Find Yourself A Way” and the EP Playground, which featured live recordings from a performance at San Diego’s Spirit Night Club.

Cardiac Kidz were the first punk band from San Diego to appear on television, making their debut on KFMB-TV’s Sun Up San Diego in June 1979. They also received radio play on major local stations like KGB-FM and 91-X, helping them build a growing fanbase across Southern California.

Reissue and Reformation (1994–Present)

The Cardiac Kidz enjoyed a resurgence in popularity when their track “Find Yourself A Way” appeared on the influential compilation Killed by Death No. 007 in 1994, followed by “Get Out” on Killed by Death No. 12. This exposure introduced their music to a new generation of punk fans and record collectors.

In 2009, Italian record label Rave-Up Records released a compilation LP titled Get Out!, which featured tracks from their original single and EP, as well as unreleased material. In 2010, the band reunited to release two new CDs, Rarities 1979–1981 and Meet with Me, on Blindspot Records. The first contained rare studio and live recordings, while the second was a live album recorded in 2010.

Discography

Singles and EPs

  • Get Out / Find Yourself A Way – (1979)
  • Playground – (1979)

Compilation Appearances

  • Killed By Death No. 7 – (1994) – “Find Yourself A Way”
  • Killed By Death No. 12 – (1996) – “Get Out”
  • Hype To Death No. 51 – (2001) – “I’ve Seen You Before”
  • Staring at the Sun Volume 9 – (Blindspot Records, 2011) – “Mary Young”
  • Staring at the Sun Volume XII – (Blindspot Records, 2017) – “I Want”

Albums

  • Get Out! – (Rave-Up Records, 2009)
    • Get Out
    • Find Yourself A Way
    • Monday Afternoon
    • Mary Young
    • No You Don’t
    • Oh Yeah
    • Punkette
    • Future Shock
    • Breakout
    • Bit Of Your Love
    • I Got No Time
    • Love Can Be Blind
    • More
    • Paper Towel

Legacy

Though the Cardiac Kidz did not achieve widespread commercial success during their original run, their contributions to the Southern California punk scene remain significant. The band’s early DIY releases, energetic performances, and commitment to punk values influenced many bands that followed in their footsteps. Their inclusion in key punk compilations, such as Killed by Death, helped to secure their place in punk history, and their reformation in the 2000s further cemented their status as cult favorites within the genre.

Band Members

Current Members

  • Jim Ryan – Lead vocals, drums, percussion
  • Billy Williams – Rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Former Members

  • Jerry Flack – Lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Lightfoot – Bass guitar
  • Joe Foy – Bass guitar
  • Bill Lubbers – Rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • David George – Lead guitar

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