ABOUT USTRASH developed out of the work a Scottish Borders charity called Junior Acoustic Music (JAM) was doing from 1991. TRASH specialise in music and art projects/workshops/performances. Based in the Borders since 1994 they do travel a fair bit – over most of Scotland and Northern England, Europe and on one memorable occasion Israel . We currently have two Borders based performance groups. TRASH'd, our youth/young adult group act as our ambassadors c reating eye-catching performances suitable for festivals everywhere. LinkagesIntroduction From its inception TRASH has been much more than a solely music (from blue barrels and bat phones), or even an arts, activity. Over 10 years a whole range of activities have, and are being added – from other types of arts activities, to social and physical sciences. What follows gives some idea of the potential of TRASH. The basic core activity is related to performances using materials and equipment liberated and recycled to a new or at least a fresh purpose. Included in (1) are the classic instruments of TRASH; large and small plastic barrels used as drums, sometimes as they stand, sometimes modified, sometimes as components of “drum kits”. Along side these are tubular bells made from scaffolding poles and the like, xylophones made from unwanted hard woods (we tend to use the foresters enemy Sycamore), and bat phones – long tuned tubes of plastic and cardboard struck with a “bat”, any round table tennis type will do. Very quickly we moved to develop the use of graphic arts; painting the barrels, making cloth covers (also with graphic images); and the use of movement. A number of dance and P.E. instructors recognise the sheer aerobic value of playing TRASH. A number of the TRASH performing groups have partnered modern dance groups or added percussive dance steps to their skills. Voice became another area of activity almost be accident. A useful way of teaching rhythms to those who don't read music, and a useful aide memoir in its own right, is the use of sung and spoken phrases. We have carried this somewhat to the extreme through the development of TRASH oPERA. Musicals obviously call for a whole gamut of other activities and skills Over the life of TRASH we have experimented with the adding of more conventional instruments, from brass to electric guitars, partnered more conventional bands, and added to the zest of more conventional concerts and performances. Old and unwanted instruments, such as keyboards and even children's toy instruments can have their place. The need to record TRASH workshops, performances and events brought in photography, video and audio recording and, quite early on, the use of animation with a soundtrack. Craftwork plays a role within TRASH, from work on new instrument ideas, to making stands and backdrops. Science might seem an unlikely bedfellow for off the wall drumming! But what we do does link to the science of sound. Hours have been spent working out how to create the appearance a flat object on the side of a curved barrel. And, of course, with the basis of TRASH activities being recycling, the environment is a natural tie in. Trash Instruments:
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