Trashcan Sinatras on staying together for three decades
IT came as quite a shock to fans of indie band The Trashcan Sinatras when their debut album hit number two in the Scottish Top 40 but no-one was more surprised than the band themselves — not least because it was 33 years since the album was first released.
Cake, which was originally released in 1990, was re-released by the Scottish label Last Night From Glasgow, and managed to hit at No 6 in the vinyl sales charts and No 11 in the physical charts, as well as breaking into the Top 60 in the UK official album chart at No 55.
John Douglas, guitarist, singer and songwriter was turning 60 when this happened at the tail end of last year.
‘We had no idea this was going to happen,’ he said in an interview at the time. ‘We knew the record was being re-released and remastered. The label was very positive. But we had no idea of the sales figures. Didn’t even think of those things. Then someone phones up and says ‘you’re in the national charts’. Pretty astonishing.’
Now the story of the band’s 35 years of jangle pop is the subject of a new documentary that will air on Radio Nova this Sunday night at 9pm.
Documentary maker Ken Sweeney, travels to the West Coast of Scotland to explore the origins and evolution of the Trashcan Sinatras.
The band, formed in Irvine in 1986, shares their story through intimate interviews and unique acoustic performances by guitarist John Douglas.
Sweeney, who has made a number of successful documentaries on the likes of the GoBewtweens, The Blue Nile and REM, has a long standing friendship with the band dates back to the early 1990s when he was performing in band Brian, who recorded two albums for London Irish indie label Setanta Records.
In this documentary, Sweeney takes listeners to significant locations in the band’s history, including their original studio, Shabby Road, in Kilmarnock. John Douglas, along with fellow band members, reminisces about their journey while performing acoustic versions of their beloved songs.
‘I’m staggered that no one has made a radio documentary about The Trashcan Sinatras before,’ says Sweeney.
‘The stories the band told me blew my mind, as did the opportunity to turn it into a soundscape of their beautiful music with the help of Grammy nominated engineer Billy Farrell and Radio Nova.
‘The Trashcan Sinatras are great company, and their stories will have you laughing and reminiscing,’ Sweeney says.
Known for their organic sounds and timeless music, The Trashcan Sinatras have faced numerous challenges, from bankruptcy to serious illness.
Yet, their dedication to creating enduring music has seen them outlast many musical trends as artists who create for art’s sake and have a loyal and dedicated following.
The band’s resilience and passion are evident in their critically acclaimed albums Cake, I’ve Seen Everything, The Happy Pocket’ Weightlifting, In The Music, and Wild Pendulum. The re-release of Cake last year was by the label Last Night From Glasgow, set up by Ian Smith in 2016, which, as well as releasing music from new acts, has been successful in reviving interest in Scottish bands from the 1980s and 1990s, fuelled by demand from record collectors.
This captivating story of the Trashcan Sinatras’ journey, filled with the music, memories, and stories will be broadcast on Radio Nova at 9pm on Sunday.