glasgow concert review

sinatras are outstanding

the sunday times

by billy sloan
february 23, 2003

The Trash Can Sinatras - Live at King Tut's - February 15, 2003 ****

It often seems the Trash Can Sinatras have been on the brink of greatness only to push the self-destruct button at the last minute.

But this outstanding gig was surely an omen that they are finally ready to play in pop's premier league.

The set was built around songs for what's shaping up to be an impressive comeback album.

It takes a brave band to open with a haunting ballad...the sublime What Women Do To Men.

Other new compositions, such as Trouble Sleeping - with its call and response vocal - or the cinematic Weightlifting, showed a group mining a rich creative seam.

Live, the Trash Cans have matured...in all the right ways.

Their fluid guitars are a perfect foil for the now more restrained Frank Reader vocals.

He was particularly impressive on Hayfever, Send for Henny and a stunning Easy Read.

Punk rock has seldom sounded so melodic or mesmerising. Lyrically, they continue to inspire.

I've Seen Everything would figure on any list of my all-time great Scottish rock songs.

While the beautifully crafted wordplay of Safecracker - with its imagery of combination locks being picked and escapes being made in souped-up Ford cars - is brilliant.

If ever a song was made for the closing credits of a Quentin Tarantino movie, this is it.

The capacity audience wouldn't let them off the stage. And the slogan on Frank Reader's T-shirt said it all: "I Am In a Promising Local Band."

Originally appeared in the Sunday Times.