Filed under: 1995-1996 A Happy Pocket | Tags: Hard-to-Find, John McFarlane, Music, Spooktime, Trashcan Sinatras, Video
Ever wondered what the ‘Spooktime’ video looks like?
Well, here it is.
I’m sure you know all about this film, but if you don’t (shame on you), here’s a quick synopsis. ‘Spooktime’ is a fifteen minute short film inspired by characters who appear on the album ‘A Happy Pocket’. It was written and conceived by Scottish director, John McFarlane, along with Paolo Hewitt and Tony Crean. The Trashcans provide a musical backdrop to the film which is crammed full of drugs, violence, sex and murder – just a normal night out in Glasgow then.
The cassette also includes the ‘To Sir, With Love’ video, and some copies came with a 6 question contest to “Win a luxury two night stay in Scotland”. Questions included easy ones like ‘Which songs are featured in “Spooktime”?’ to more difficult ones like ‘What was the number plate of the taxi?’.
1996 Go Discs Ltd in association with MTP
Filed under: Press | Tags: John MacFarlane, Press, Prince Charles Cinema, Spooktime, Trashcan Sinatras, Video promo
The Prince Charles Cinema is located in the West End of London and showcases cult, arthouse, and classic films alongside Hollywood blockbusters.
The cinema has achieved a cult status amongst fans, sticking out as the only independent cinema in the West End.
So it was quite appropriate that the Trashcans very own movie ‘Spooktime’ should be premiered at such a prestigious venue. As I’ve written before, this was the band’s 15 minutes of movie fame which took us all on a wee trip into Glasgow’s seedy gutter.
Thanks to Michael Rose – aka Marblehead Johnson – for sending through his invitation.
23 April 1996
Filed under: Press | Tags: Concert, Dingwalls, Gig, Gilles Peterson, Press, Trashcan Sinatras
Here’s a flyer – thanks to Michael Rose – aka Marblehead Johnson – for sending it through – advertising a 1996 gig at Dingwalls, in support of third album ‘A Happy Pocket’.
Dingwalls is a venue adjacent to Camden Lock in London, England. It houses bars, cafes, clubs and is one of the city’s best known live music venues. It is possibly more renowned for the famous jazz dance club ‘Talkin Loud and Saying Something’ with Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge.
Lovely shirts!
Here’s the ticket stub from the gig. Thanks to Stephen Lewis for the image. Little known fact: Stephen is the man who directed the videos for All The Dark Horses and also, I Hung My Harp Upon The Willows – a talented man I’m sure you’ll agree.
12 September 1996
A friend of mine – who thinks I’ve taken this blog too far – asked me if there has ever been a book written about the Trashcans.
The only one I was aware of, I said, was the AtoZ book by Finn Hartley which I’ve wrote about before.
But his question got me thinking. Apart from the usual discography encyclopedias, have the Trashcans been immortalised in print elsewhere? A quick googling and you’ll find the answer is yes.
Here’s what I found:
In 1993, Luis Alberto Urrea’s “Across The Wire – Life and Hard Times on the Mexican Border”, offers a compelling and unprecedented look at what life is like for those refugees living on the Mexican side of the US border.
In 2000, James S. Rich’s “Cut My Hair”, tells the story of a young boy growing up in California and how love and music affects his life.
In 2002, Harry Turtledove’s “Counting Up Counting Down”, a collection of science fiction, fantasy and alternate history tales…
In 2001, A. S. Salinas’ “Songs For Drella and Other Disharmonies”, a collection of science fiction short stories. A dozen tales of lunacy and madness, populated by the usual cast of losers and misfits offering poor role-modeling for today’s youth.
And finally, in 2003, John D. Wells’, “The Barfly Boys” documents the trials and tribulations of four young men in Charlottesville, Virginia trying to keep alive their dreams of rock ‘n roll stardom.
So there you have it, the Trashcan Sinatras really are immortal, thanks to some talented writers.
There was one other book I came across which had something to do with XML computer mark-up language. I didn’t include that one – that really would be taking it too far.
Five Hungry Joes - A pictorial archive of the Trashcan Sinatras. Legendary Scottish Band 