The music press has a frosty relationship with the Trash Can Sinatras but the Irvine band couldn't care less, writes Philip Dorward
It is fair to say that the Trash Can Sinatras are not on the super highway to success. In fact there are times when it seems that they've barely got to the beginning of the A71 out of lrvine. The definition of success that is huge sales and tours is foreign to the Trash Cans. The Main Attraction, the first single from their forthcoming third album A Happy Pocket, barely caused a blip on the singles chart. However if success is to be measured in truth to the music then they deserve more attention.
That they seemed deserted by the media is, some argue, testament to the arrogance of their early career when they were tipped for great things. Some form of arrogance has never given them up, for rightly or wrongly the Trash Cans believe that they are literally the best band in the world. That's perhaps fair enough, after being in the commercial business for five years and seeing band after band rise stronger and faster than themselves.
Others trying to explain their static sales cite an early career incident around 1991 when they had a slight spat with NME. At that point they were lauded as future stars and NME wanted to do a front cover on them. The Trash Cans said they would only do it if their photographer and a writer they knew did the article. The NME threw two fingers in the air and told the band they would never work in this town again. Bassist Davy Hughes is aware that the band has stumbled but claims that in the main it wasn't their fault. "The whole NME thing was blown out of all proportion and has become an excuse for people not to listen to us," explains Hughes. "A lot of people formed their opinion of us straight away and are too lazy to change it. Yet we've matured, tunes evolve, people evolve but first impressions count and it's hard to fight that."
The Trash Cans would like to be more commercially successful but are realistic not only to the fact that the world won't listen, but that the world can't hear them. Radio treats them with disregard and only American college stations and Radio Clyde play their records with any great frequency. As for Radio One, the guitarist John Douglas claims he can forget it. "The guy from our record company went into Radio One and played The Main Attraction to Steve Lamacq. He didn't know who the record was by but perked up when he heard it. When our man told him it was the Trash Cans, he turned his nose up at it, after previously liking it. How can anyone fight that?
"That whole business of touting bands is quite dangerous," adds Douglas. "I just want someone to turn up to our gig, think it's good and then tell his mates to come and see us. Then we've got across the feeling that music is important, because it is, music is everything. Music is special and it shouldn't be cheapened by an article in a magazine or talk on the radio which focuses on how you live your life more than how you play the guitar
The Trash Cans have resisted the temptation to change their name and have instead tried to tap into different genres. Recently they provided the music for a 15-minute film called Spooktime that has run as a trailer with Twelve Monkeys and Blood Simple. It was the chance to appeal to their market - those people who cannot hear them on the radio. All the five band members want is for people to have the imagination and energy to come and see a band who make finely crafted guitar-based blues pop.
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As the Trash Cans keep an honest faith with original music, they can only look on in disbelief at the success of britpop bands who have been content to reinvent the Kinks et al. Then again they claim they are not in it for the money, if they were they would have given up long ago. All they want is a little bit of respect.
"I reckon I had more intelligence when I was eight than half of the bands around today," attests Douglas. "At the same time I always knew then that I wanted to play music and I grew up to love the guitar. We've just got to go with the songs, melodies, feelings, and hope that people connect. Sure it would be nice to be successful but not necessarily in monetary terms. We lead a very frugal lifestyle. We do what we do and if it brings in the money then fine, but if it doesn't then that's still fine. Good luck to the Britpop bands. Let them have their fame, but for most of them it is 14 minutes and counting. We've been honest, we've had a good time without money. Even if I did have money I know I'd only spend it on some big guitars."
There is a sneaking suspicion the Trash Can Sinatras could be the latest to join that great Scottish list of those who promised and delivered so much without getting the success. For all their truth, the Trash Cans just can't seem to break through to the other side. Born to be riled is maybe all they will ever be.
Trash Cans Sinatras' next single How Can I Apply? is out on 15 July. The album A Happy Pocket is released 29 July.
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