In The Music We Rise Above

Trashcan Sinatras

Magic Stick

June 8, 2010

Glasgow Popsmiths, The Trashcan Sinatras, formed in 1986, are sighing at the sign of the second quarter of life. Once college radio darlings, they have continued off the radar to release clever melancholy pop songs. Rabid fans help to keep their creative fires burning. On this tour in support of their latest album, In The Music, and with strong followings on both coasts, they made stops throughout the Midwest as to ply their craft and build their fan base. The Detroit show took place at a half-full Magic Stick where the loud applause registered surprise on the bands’ faces. In answer one reveler shouted out, we’re a 'small but passionate group of fans'. The band's response was to give these fans the best show they could.

Setlist:
1.   people
2.   easy on the eye
3.   all the dark horses
4.   send for henny
5.   in the music
6.   easy read
7.   hayfever
8.   got carried away
9.   i hung my harp upon the willows
10. freetime
11. i see the moon
12. obscurity knocks
13. prisons
14. oranges and apples

Encore:

15. bloodrush
16. i wish you'd met her
17. astronomy
18. i've seen everything
19. weightlifting

Their debut, Cake (1990), broke them here in the States, cracking the Billboard Top 200 while drawing comparisons to The Smiths. Many lifelong fans consider it their best offering to date. Live, they featured only 1 track from Cake, their hit single, Obscurity Knocks, which drew swoons and sing-alongs from the crowd.

The setlist drew heavily from their latest offering, In The Music  and sounded wonderfully energetic live. People, their latest single, was a great first number. The next ten songs flowed effortlessly, stirring up emotions and memories of when they were first heard or what they have come to mean. These songs from Weightlifting, I've Seen Everything and In The Music fit very well together.

Frank's voice was angelic and the not-often-mentioned background vocals of Stephen were sublime. John and Paul's dueling guitars added flourishes as they swapped melodies and riffs that elevated the songs. The new bass player, Frank DiVanna, skillfully laid the foundation and really seemed to enjoy playing the songs as the show progressed. And the often smiling Stevie Mulhearn was the in-band cheerleader and added the great intro music and fills throughout the set.

I See The Moon, Oranges and Apples and Astronomy seemed to slow the show down perceptively. They seemed to take the momentum away. These songs although gorgeously arranged and written are perhaps better on a stereo listening at home rather than at a concert. The band ended the set with Orange and Apples which followed the lively Prisons (with the delicious My Sweet Lord extended jam.) Prisons would have been a better choice to end before the encore. However, the crowd didn't disappoint and gave a loud round of applause to bring the boys back out on stage.

The encore opened with a crowd favorite, Bloodrush, and concluded with the title track from 2004's Weightlifting. Frank, the lead singer, perhaps moved by the earlier comment dedicated the final song to the fans who showed up in spite of the economic times in this city.  The song which is about the band’s own re-birth after financial troubles was surely heartfelt by their Detroit fans.


Check out the hip video for People.