John Douglas, the guitarist and vocalist for the Scottish indie rock band Trashcan Sinatras, has died at the age of 63. The band announced on social media today that he passed away peacefully on Monday, 3 August 2026, after a brief illness.
Douglas, who was born in Irvine, had been a member of the Trashcan Sinatras since 1986. He contributed to all seven of their albums, including their most recent release, 'Ever The Optimist'.
'Ever The Optimist' was released on 31 July, just days before Douglas's death, and is the band's first full-length album in 10 years. The album was previewed with a video for its title track, featuring all five band members on stage together for the first time in nearly seven years at a 40th-anniversary performance in Irvine.
Douglas described the reunion as "very emotional" in a recent interview, expressing how heartwarming it was to play with the band amongst friends. Fans have shared tributes online, with one noting the bittersweet timing of the new album's release.