welcome back to the ol' trashcan sinatras

the herald

by lorna martin
july 6, 2001

Francis Reader, one of Kilmarnock's finest, coolest sons, emerged from hibernation last night with his band, the Trashcan Sinatras, to play their first gig on home soil for more than five years.

The concert, at Glasgow's King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, saw a return to the original five-piece line-up that had toured the group's first two albums, the critically-acclaimed I've Seen Everything and A Happy Pocket.

Eddie Reader, sister of the Trashcans' lead singer, Francis, was among the sell-out loyal audience which very clearly still adored the group, and welcomed them back with a rapturous response.

Although regarded as relative under-achievers in Britain, the band enjoys a huge following in Japan and America.

In fact, fans from across the Atlantic were so eager to see the band in the cult venue in Glasgow that they posted requests on their website, asking if Scottish fans would put them up for the night.

The Trashcans played a mix of new and old songs, appropriately starting with Welcome Back.

But the band was at their finest when they were revisiting old favourites such as Hayfever and I've Seen Everything.

They appeared to relish the opportunity to play them again to such an appreciative home crowd.

Although the sound in the intimate venue was not always at its best, most fans agreed that the band's singular, melodic songs, organic harmonies and touching, beautiful lyrics remained as powerful last night as they did eight years ago.

An official comeback, it would seem, is just around the corner.

Originally appeared in the Herald.