Filed under: Related | Tags: Hard-to-Find, Spooktime, Trashcan Sinatras, Video promo
Preferably an old one. A really old one. One that’s so old, it’ll allow me to play this CD-ROM that was given away free by Creative Review Magazine. (I’m talking about a computer by the way, but you knew that didn’t you?)
Creative Review magazine, or CR as it’s sometimes known, was launched in London in 1980 with the aim of inspiring, informing and stimulating debate in graphic design, advertising, digital media, illustration, photography and all other fields of visual communication worldwide.
The June 1996 edition included four free CD-ROMs, one of which, included a sneak preview of the now infamous TCS short film, ‘Spooktime’, which I’m sure you know all about. If not, you can find out a wee bit more here.
The CD-ROM also gives a brief rundown as to what ‘Spooktime’ is all about…
Fourteen-and-a-half gritty minutes long and with all the narrative clarity of a Glaswegian pub crawl, John MacFarlane’s film is strong on effects if week on plot. The reason is that its script is drawn from song lyrics written by the wonderfully-named Scottish indie band The Trash Can Sinatras. Really it’s a pop promo masquerading as a movie. From aphrodisiac beginning to abrupt conclusion it bounces between a series of crises in the lives of men, women and a mustachioed child whose obsessive attempts to buy a pint of Tennent’s are as puzzling as they are doomed. Audiences south of Berwick-on-Tweed may want to wait for the subtitled version.
June 1996 Creative Review Magazine CD-ROM
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: Coen Brothers, Hard-to-Find, Music, Press, Spooktime, Trashcan Sinatras
Small A6 promo postcard for the release of the Trashcans’ controversial short film ‘Spooktime’.
This was released in conjunction with the Coen Brothers’ thriller ‘Blood Simple’ and if you produced the card at one of the band’s gigs, you would get two tickets for the price of one.
The Trashcans are such a generous bunch aren’t they.
Thanks to John Hartley again for posting this through.
July/August 1996 Go! Discs Ltd
Five Hungry Joes - A pictorial archive of the Trashcan Sinatras. Legendary Scottish Band 