the herald

trashcan sinatras - paisley town hall concert review

by aiden mclaughlin
september 26, 2005

This gig was programmed as part of Tune Up, a Scottish Arts Council scheme to bring new music to new audiences. An admirable idea, which here, to some extent, seemed to work – the clientele appeared to be an older, more theatre-going crowd, although there was also a fair smattering of die-hard fans among them.

But the danger of such a scheme is that, often, good bands are programmed in venues that aren't that suitable for music events, and this outing suffered slightly for that.

Although an effort was made to cosy up the austere surroundings with cabaret-style tables and chairs, the sound wasn't great and the band's wise and tender lyrics were often lost to the rafters, meaning this new audience was missing out on that which the Trashcans do best – write great lyrics.

Together since 1988, the five-man set-up from Irvine jangled effortlessly from one melodic ballad to the next. But sometimes, this close-knit band seemed so familiar and laid back, that they actually gave the impression that they couldn't be arsed. Not that they sounded it, but often they acted it – but maybe that's just because they're reluctant performers. Nevertheless, Francis Reader's otherworldly voice soared on heartfelt songs such as A Coda, What Women Do to Men and the beautiful Wild Mountainside, while John Douglas (rhythm guitar and vocals) provided magnificent harmonies.

At the opening of the gig, an SAC bureaucrat introducing the band, in a misjudged attempt at cool, exclaimed: "The SAC supports great shit." For once, it seems, he might have got it right.

This review originally appeared in The Herald.