The Vaselines

The Profile

The Vaselines are a Scottish indie pop duo formed by Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee in 1986. Their short early output (EPs and the 1989 LP Dum-Dum) became cult touchstones; several of their songs were later covered by Nirvana. They reformed in the 2000s and released new material in the 2010s.

Formed in 1986 (Glasgow / more officially 1987 in Edinburgh per contemporary accounts). Early releases on Rough Trade; later compilations acquired by Sub Pop. Kurt Cobain covered multiple Vaselines songs and helped raise the band's profile. The band released Sex with an X (2010) and V for Vaselines (2014) after reforming.

DeBaser's reviews present The Vaselines as a small, influential Scottish indie pop duo whose brief early output became cult classics. Critics praise their naïve melodies, lo-fi charm and links to the wider alternative scene (notably Nirvana). Collections and the lone 1989 LP are highlighted alongside later reunions and releases.