The Vaselines at Whelans on July 12th 2011
Review: Rachel Masterson
Photos: Paul Donegan
Having grown up being a little more than an obsessive Nirvana fan, and not knowing very much about The Vaselines, apart from the beautiful Nirvana unplugged in New York rendition of Jesus don’t want me for a sunbeam and Kurt Cobain’s throaty howl of Molly’s Lips, I was more than a little intrigued to see where the magic came from and to see The Vaselines live in Whelans.
I entered a fairly packed Whelans, a little later than I would have liked, but taking nicely to the ambience of the venue. Having only two albums to their name, Eugine Kelly and Francis McKee wow fans with a mix of greatest hits and new tracks such as Whitechapel and of course favourites Son of a Gun and previously mentioned Jesus don’t want me for a sunbeam. It’s immediately apparent from their laid back attitudes and the unassuming charm they exert, the Scottish duo are at their happiest playing timeless music.
Originally a duo, they are now joined by members of Belle and Sebastian, and between them they swap vocals and change harmonies, the crowd are never left with a dull moment. The set incorporates romantic pop melodies to more energetic, upbeat songs that get the crowd going and hilarious insults flying back and forth always keeping us entertained.
This gig leaves us wondering what were The Vaselines doing all this time? Having released Dum Dum in 1989 it’s taken them a mere 20 years to release their second studio album Sex with an X, (maybe a jibe at the fact McKee and Kelly are no longer a couple), released September 2010. The Vaselines really know how to put on a good show and clearly enjoy what they are doing, they left the crowd breathless in places and laughing in others, always keeping us in the palm of their hands, we just hope they don’t leave us waiting for another 20 years.