The Vaselines, cited by Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain as one of his biggest influences, are set to get back together again as part of Tigerfest. They play Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall on May 16th on the same bill as Teenage Fanclub’s Norman Blake and the Pearlfishers’ David Scott. (Coincidentally, Cobain named Teenage Fanclub as the “best band in the world”.)
The Vaselines, fronted by Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee, had a shortlived career in the late 1980s, retaining a cult status in their native Scotland until Nirvana covered 3 of their tracks, firstly on the Incesticide compilation and then on the MTV Unplugged album.
The 2 members have ploughed their own furrows until now with Kelly fronting Captain America and Eugenius, while McKee has won solo acclaim with two albums for Chemikal Underground including one with her band Suckle.
Although a set is planned for the 20th birthday party of Seattle’s Subpop Records (the label which launched Nirvana and grunge), the band have yet to confirm any further UK gigs, making this an unmissable chance to see them on the Carnegie Hall’s famous stage.
An added bonus for trainspotters of Scottish indie music is the 4 members of Belle and Sebastian who make up the rest of the band…
The Vaselines appear as special guests of David Scott and Norman Blake, at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall as part of Tigerfest on Friday 16th May. More at www.tigerfest.co.uk
//Stuart McHugh