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| IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TRASH... AND IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FASHION.... MARK SMITH GETS TO THE BOTTOM OF NUDITY, POLITICS AND GROUPIES WITH TRASH FASHION |
Watching from the bar at Madame JoJo’s, it’s hard to tell which of the assembled twenty-somethings are about to perform,
and who’s come here to be entertained. The room is a soup of mohawks, jaunty hats and t-shirts so ironic they’ve come
full circle into sincerity – it’s more cartoon Hoxton than Soho on a Thursday night. It’s no surprise, however, that the most
flamboyantly attired fans (all swastikas and yellow leggings) are here for fluorescent three-piece, Trash Fashion. The lithe
Brummie boys may have a reputation for getting their kit off onstage, but lead singer Jet seems genuinely bewildered by
the hyper-energetic response from their front-row acolytes. At one point, a young man in a feathered cap enthusiastically
simulates fellatio on his Speedo-clad idol. Is this normal?
and who’s come here to be entertained. The room is a soup of mohawks, jaunty hats and t-shirts so ironic they’ve come
full circle into sincerity – it’s more cartoon Hoxton than Soho on a Thursday night. It’s no surprise, however, that the most
flamboyantly attired fans (all swastikas and yellow leggings) are here for fluorescent three-piece, Trash Fashion. The lithe
Brummie boys may have a reputation for getting their kit off onstage, but lead singer Jet seems genuinely bewildered by
the hyper-energetic response from their front-row acolytes. At one point, a young man in a feathered cap enthusiastically
simulates fellatio on his Speedo-clad idol. Is this normal?
LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS: IT'S THE BALL-BUSTING TRASH FASHION
“Those guys pop up everywhere. It’s great to have the support, but we don’t know them personally. It’s not like they’re
part of the act or anything." Despite their salacious antics, there’s never any danger of the fans upstaging this band...
armed with genius titles, ('It’s A Rave Dave 'and 'I Only Want To Be On TV'), novelty masks - tonight, Matthew, it’s Scream-
slasher skulls and neon guitars, Trash Fashion manage, somehow, to be at once massively exhibitionist and intensely
likeable. They’re clearly having a LOT of fun, leaping about the stage unrestricted by conventional clothing and,
curiously, body hair. I ask whether the band are sponsored by Immac. Jet laughs: “It’s funny... I can’t speak for the other
two, but in my case, chest hair just never really arrived. I’m still waiting.”
For all their hyperactive innovation and anti-rock hairlessness, perhaps the most refreshing thing about Trash Fashion is
that, unlike elements of the Kings Cross/Shoreditch scene they frequent, the boys show no signs of taking themselves too
seriously. Jet cites Iron Maiden and Bad-era Michael Jackson as current influences (one of the tracks on their EP samples
'Beat It' wholesale, with unselfconscious, joyful abandon), and their masks were acquired for pennies at a Midlands car
boot sale.
How far would Trash Fashion go for success, though? I wonder whether thumping, bleeping signature tune Meat And
Two Veg (“You wanna see my meat and two veg?/ You wanna eat, you wanna get fed?”) – a clear hit with tonight’s
crowd - might be made available to Mr Blair in his ongoing quest to ensure we each get our precious Five A Day.
Unlikely: “Politicians are such pigs,” says Jet. “The world would be a much nicer place if our leaders embraced naturism -
got naked now and again, rather than telling the rest of us what to do with our lives." Personally, I’d rather keep
Widdecombe in her windbreaker, but Trash Fashion certainly proved tonight that they have ample talent to match their
naked ambition.
Interview and photographs by Mark Smith
For more info: www.trashfashion.com
part of the act or anything." Despite their salacious antics, there’s never any danger of the fans upstaging this band...
armed with genius titles, ('It’s A Rave Dave 'and 'I Only Want To Be On TV'), novelty masks - tonight, Matthew, it’s Scream-
slasher skulls and neon guitars, Trash Fashion manage, somehow, to be at once massively exhibitionist and intensely
likeable. They’re clearly having a LOT of fun, leaping about the stage unrestricted by conventional clothing and,
curiously, body hair. I ask whether the band are sponsored by Immac. Jet laughs: “It’s funny... I can’t speak for the other
two, but in my case, chest hair just never really arrived. I’m still waiting.”
For all their hyperactive innovation and anti-rock hairlessness, perhaps the most refreshing thing about Trash Fashion is
that, unlike elements of the Kings Cross/Shoreditch scene they frequent, the boys show no signs of taking themselves too
seriously. Jet cites Iron Maiden and Bad-era Michael Jackson as current influences (one of the tracks on their EP samples
'Beat It' wholesale, with unselfconscious, joyful abandon), and their masks were acquired for pennies at a Midlands car
boot sale.
How far would Trash Fashion go for success, though? I wonder whether thumping, bleeping signature tune Meat And
Two Veg (“You wanna see my meat and two veg?/ You wanna eat, you wanna get fed?”) – a clear hit with tonight’s
crowd - might be made available to Mr Blair in his ongoing quest to ensure we each get our precious Five A Day.
Unlikely: “Politicians are such pigs,” says Jet. “The world would be a much nicer place if our leaders embraced naturism -
got naked now and again, rather than telling the rest of us what to do with our lives." Personally, I’d rather keep
Widdecombe in her windbreaker, but Trash Fashion certainly proved tonight that they have ample talent to match their
naked ambition.
Interview and photographs by Mark Smith
For more info: www.trashfashion.com
| All images, words, site design Copyright © Soma Soma Scene 2005 unless otherwise stated All Rights Reserved |
An excited fan is mesemerised by
the guitar (and what's behind it)
the guitar (and what's behind it)
TF clones hit Madame JoJos
The boys in action
Jet waves to John Prescott,
a massive fan of the band's
a massive fan of the band's