Trashcan Sinatras: Band's 1990 debut album finally heading for top 40

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Trashcan SinatrasImage source, Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images
Image caption,

The Trashcan Sinatras photographed in Minneapolis in 1991

A Scottish band's debut album is heading for the top 40 this week - 33 years after it came out.

Irvine group the Trashcan Sinatras released Cake in 1990 however it "barely bruised the charts" at no 74.

But the indie act have been left "gobsmacked" as a new reissue of the record, by independent label Last Night From Glasgow, is currently at No 10 in the midweek charts.

The band have continued to record and perform consistently since their debut.

Guitarist John Douglas told BBC Scotland News that the remastered record had brought back several memories of the group's early years.

Signed by Go! Discs in 1987, they settled down in a Kilmarnock recording studio nicknamed "Shabby Road" to work on the record. Cake was eventually released three years later.

Image caption,

The Trashcan Sinatras continue to write and perform to this day

John recalled: "We were young and energetic, and there was a nervous excitement there too.

"You could say we were wide-eyed but we knew what we wanted the record to sound like, and went through a few producers before getting there. It's a little of its time, but I think it holds up well.

"There was a fearlessness then, and we knew our worth for it. Everyone at the label worked really hard on it, and I remember there was disappointment when it didn't do anything in the charts.

"But it did well in America, and we were able to tour over there because of it."

Success in the US kick-started a lengthy career for the group, who have retained the same core line-up over the years, with John joined by vocalist Francis Reader, drummer Steven Douglas and guitarist Paul Livingston.

Image source, Last Night From Glasgow
Image caption,

Cake was first released in 1990

John joked: "You should get medals for lasting that long!

"I think over the years we've managed to learn when to ease off and what buttons not to push.

"We all came from the same background and we've managed to keep that friendship going."

Now they are enjoying their surprising taste of chart success with Cake.

John added: "It was a total surprise. We had no clue that it was going to chart so we are all happily gobsmacked."

However the band are not simply focused on nostalgia.

They are currently working on a new album, which they hope to release next year.

John added: "The music industry has changed so much, so every day is like a school day.

"But as a musician and a songwriter it's still the same thing you're doing, which is trying to write good songs."