Muen Magazine

TRASHCAN SINATRAS

Glasgow, Scotland

www.myspace.com/trashcansinatras

By: Macavity

MUEN: Thanks for talking to MUEN about what is going with the band.

You are very welcome!

MUEN: Your latest album is a treat for your fans with both studio recordings and eight bonus live tracks that are acoustic. With such a catalog of tunes how did you choose the ones to be on “Brel”?

It’s actually the sister album to “Fez” which was an acoustic show we did in New York, so we tried to avoid repeating the songs on that and also the “In The Music” album. We do have a lot of songs to choose from!

MUEN: After touring all through the summer you have embarked on an acoustic tour for the West Coast this fall. What made you decide to do an acoustic tour especially for this part of the States?

Taking the whole “Earth, Wind, and Fire” band experience on the road is rather a large undertaking, both mentally and physically, so this wee acoustic tour was an opportunity to just go out with a couple of guitars, sit down and play some old tunes. Laid back style.

MUEN: I think having this tour is a great way to celebrate your twentieth anniversary with your fans. How has the response been so far and do you feel like all shows are really a celebration for both the band and the fans?

Oh absolutely! People travel for miles, and others have been waiting twenty years to see us live! It’s a very joyous experience.

MUEN: For the one or two that have not heard of you, how would you describe your sounds and the difference between acoustic and your electric versions of songs?

We’re more funky electric. That’s right. Funky. But we always make beautiful noises. That’s a fact.

MUEN: How was the tour over the summer and did you visit any new place that really surprised you with their response?

Now, my memory isn’t what it used to be, but I think it was in St. Louis. We were totally taken aback by the crowd. We hadn’t been there for years and everyone was singing along to all the songs at the top of their voices. ‘Twas a wee bit overwhelming.

MUEN: Have to ask you about the name of the band and where it came from?

Oh, I forget.

MUEN: What has been the motivation for the plan to rerelease your albums next year?

Well, most people have never heard us, and when people do hear us, they like it! Also our third L.P. (A Happy Pocket) has never been released in the U.S.

MUEN: I noticed you like to change arrangements and other parts to your music. Will there be any of those types of changes to the rereleases or will it just be an even better quality of the sounds?

Oh, it’ll probably just be better quality. And B-sides. A dead art, B-sides, right?

MUEN: You are putting together a tour for the U.S. next year. Any favorite places you like to visit and why?

Anywhere you can smoke indoors.

MUEN: Speaking of touring and fans you are doing a really cool things for your fans by asking them to submit set lists. Have you been surprised by what the fans have requested?

They tend to go for earlier stuff, and b-sides. They really know the nooks and crannies of our back catalogue.

MUEN: Have there been any set list that was really difficult to play or just an unusual selection?

Oh, no. We wouldn’t put ourselves through that! Although, when someone shouted for “To Sir, With Love” and Frank said “Okay!” I was a wee bit panicked!

MUEN: With so many bands having trouble staying together for one reason or another what do you think is the secret for your band still going strong after this time?

Lack of imagination. Oh, I shouldn’t be so flip! We love each other, and the music we make.

MUEN: One of the most intriguing things I saw about the band is that for a year your cover of “Hello Goodbye” will be the advertisement for The Tokyo Airport. How did something as high profile as that come about for a Scottish band?

We have a very good friend at Sony Japan called June and she’s always on the lookout for interesting things for us to do. She rocks!

MUEN: Other than the release and the tour what have you got planned for 2011 and beyond?

It’s too soon after the tour for me to even think about other things, I have to decompress, so I don’t know.

MUEN: Is there anything I have missed that you think our readers should know about the band?

We are a proper group. There ain’t many of us left!

MUEN: Thanks again for talking to us about Trashcan Sinatras

You are very welcome!