The Trashcan Sinatras

Influenced by fellow Scottish jangle popsters the Bluebells and Aztec Camera, the Trashcan Sinatras formed in Irvine, Scotland, in 1987 and almost immediately set about wowing U.K. critics with such singles as "Only Tongue Can Tell" and "Obscurity Knocks." Eventually their American label, PolyGram, took notice and released their stunning U.S. debut, Cake, in 1990. A near-perfect album, Cake dazzles on every front -- from frontman Frank Reader's intimate voice and amazingly clever wordplay, to crystalline production (supplied by John Leckie) that highlights the band's gorgeous pop hooks. The group followed that release with 1993's I've Seen Everything, an endearing album that, despite positive reviews, failed to take hold in the midst of grunge-mania. With America still high on the fumes emanating from Seattle, PolyGram U.S. decided to pass on 1996's A Happy Pocket. The Trashcan Sinatras kept a low profile in the U.S. throughout the rest of the 1990s, but the band surprised fans when they announced plans to record in the New England area in 2000. And although the ensuing session was eventually scrapped, die-hard fans were treated to the occasional show in the area. The Trashcan Sinatras continued to record well into the new millennium; they keep in touch with their fans worldwide via their Internet site, www.trashcansinatras.com.