I = Interviewer
F = Francis Reader (lead singer)
J = John Douglas (rhythm guitar)
I: We've got some Trash Cans with us. Francis Reader, hello.
F: Hello.
I: Would you like to introduce us to the slightly reduced lineup of the band tonight?
F: It's not as reduced as you might think. (introduces John Douglas and Paul Livingstone)
(TCS play "Claw")
I: In the time that we've been waiting for the new album to come along there's been a lot happening for the band. Of course, the last time you played live in session for us (March 4, 1996) we were talking about the short film that was being made at that stage. I seem to remember putting out an appeal for extras to come along and be part of the show, and that's been touring around the UK. Tell me about that.
J: It's touring around the UK just now, and plenty of extras had a good time...thought they were gonna get paid and they didn't. I think they got a can of lager.
I: Learned something about the music business there...
J: Aye.
I: It's been supporting a sort of cult classic thriller film.
J: Aye, Blood Simple, it's a Coen Brothers film. I haven't seen it yet but it's on...it seems to be on in England and people that we have met that have seen it seem to quite like it.
I: What do the people you've met think of the Trash Can Sinatras film or don't they want to say in your presence?
J: Oh, the Trash Cans film? It's not really a Trash Cans film. We're in it. It's not really about us, it's sort of set around us. People seem to think it's quite funny. It's only 15 minutes, it's not meant to be a masterpiece, it's just a wee trailer really.
I: Well another sort of film and literary association for you, I think you're doing some music for an Irvine Welsh thing.
F: Aye, we are indeed. We're doing a couple cover versions for the play of Marabou Stork Nightmares which has been done before...last summer, I think, but it's been revamped or so. Seemingly went down like a brick fish the last time it was put on.
J: I've spoke with a few folks who went to it and it was really good and the press was about the subject matter, not the actual -
F: The book itself...
I: That may be before Irvine Welsh became 'Mr. Hip'.
F: I don't know, I think it was while he was Mr. Hip. I think he was in 'mid-hip' as they say. He just wrote us a letter out of the blue and asked us if we'd do "You Only Live Twice" and "Born Free" as a couple of references to songs in the book and songs of that ilk. So we went and just really copied them. I think he wants kind of like straight karaoke versions so it was quite a good laugh really, given Nancy Sinatra. We're used to that kind of stuff anyway, we like to do that sort of thing, so it was fun. That happens I think in September or October...it will be on and we'll be the ones in the royal box...
J: (?)
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I: You've always been one for the odd cover version here and there. Some very odd cover versions. I see on the new album we've got "To Sir, With Love"...
F: Indeed we have.
I: ...and on the "How Can I Apply...?" single, a Scott Walker tune.
J: Aye, "Little Things That Keep Us Together". It's a song I like, and it's probably about the only one of his songs we could possibly try and cover cuz we thrashed through it...a bit of noise.
I: And then also on the way an appearance on a Smiths tribute album.
F: Of course. "I Know It's Over". We did "I Know It's Over" for a French magazine. They're bringing out The Smiths Are Dead or is it Smiths Is Dead?
J: Smiths Is Dead...queen is deaf...
F: Queen is deaf...We're doing "I Know It's Over" for it which is kind of like the bum deal really, cuz it's kind of slow and turgid and Morrissey-ish and you have to inject it with some...well, it's really hard to do without sounding very Smithsy for us anyway, cuz I could do Morrissey on "Stars In Our Eyes" so it's quite easy for me to fall into that. So we've done it anyway, we've completed it and sent it off to them the beginning of this week, so we don't really know what they thought of it, they haven't been in touch (John laughs), let's put it that way. Supergrass are on it and the Boo Radleys...the Do Badleys are on it and who else...
J: Divine Comedy...Therapy.
I: Well, apart from those things the new album is on the way and obviously it's not released yet, so I can't say 'and how's the album going down with the fans' because we don't know, but there's the following out there who keep in touch with you and buy the bootlegs and do all the stuff and I guess there's a good anticipation for a presale, to use an industry term.
F: I hope so, I hope so. It's been a while in coming, we've said this when we've made albums before but we hoped the next one wouldn't take as long to come out, but a lot of people will know the songs, which is good in a way. They'll have time to become familiar with them so maybe when they hear the album they won't really need to get into them as much. They won't know these recordings but they'll know them from live shows. And it's got a pretty cover as well, as you know.
I: It's got a super kangaroo against a pink background.
F: A lovely kangaroo against a pink background.
I: Absolutely splendid.
F: Bounding into the clouds...
I: How'd you feel your attitudes change since the last two albums came out, doing the business thing and going out and talking to journalists and all that kind of stuff?
F: We're less paranoid really. I think paranoid is just part of it really. That's one of the things that makes a new band different from an old band, you just sort of take it with the territory really, so after a while you just sort of become a bit more relaxed. I've certainly got a bit more relaxed myself, but I'm still not above the sport of panic when it comes to promoting something.
I: Do you have regrets about that in the past maybe some opportunities were missed?
F: Uh, no...no. Like the re-release of "Obscurity Knocks" opportunity? No, absolutely. 'Je ne regret rien' as the Smiths would say. I have no regrets.
I: A good stance to take, too, I think. And on that note, how about another song?
(TCS play "The Therapist")
Interviewer give some tour dates. The end.
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