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CMU Playlists
Playlist: The Vaselines
By CMU Editorial | Published on Saturday 18 September 2010
Formed in Glasgow in 1987 by Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee, The Vaselines released two singles and an album, ‘Dum Dum’, and then split up in 1989 shortly (as in a few days) after the release of the long player.
In the intervening years they gained a cult popularity, aided by Nirvana recording no less than three covers of their songs. Kelly and McKee toured together as solo artists in 2006, occasionally playing a few old songs here and there, but didn’t resurrect The Vaselines until 2008, when they appeared unannounced at a charity show in Glasgow. A world tour followed later and suddenly the ball started rolling.
This week they released their second album, ‘Sex With An X’, via Sub Pop, of which CMU Daily said: “‘Sex With An X’, is, without using too many adjectives, boisterous, loud, melodious in the simplest but most effective ways”.
We caught up with Frances and Eugene and asked them to put together a Powers Of Ten playlist for us. Taking it in turns to choose songs, they brought together an impressive list of artists who have influenced them over the last two decades.
THE VASELINE’S TEN
Click here to listen to The Vaseline’s playlist in Spotify, and then read on to find out more about his selections.
01 UNPOC – Here On My Own
Frances: I first heard if UNPOC through Julie McLarnon who engineered on the latest Vaselines record. I couldn’t understand why I had never heard this amazing liberating CD before. Every track on the record is great, so it was hard to choose just one.
02 The Kinks – You Really Got Me
Eugene: Simple, repetitive, primal. Is this were punk rock really started? They’ve even got a one note piano on the verse years before The Stooges. This is pretty near to perfect pop and the guitar solo is still what I aspire to.
03 The Human League – Don’t You Want Me Baby
Frances: Ha, there was something good about the 80s! Eugene and I did a duet of this in a karaoke bar in Japan. I’m afraid it was not a match for the girls and Phil.
04 Dillard And Clark – Why Not Your Baby?
Eugene: Bliss for three minute and forty two seconds. Put this on, have a cup of tea and bathe in its beauty. This track will always lift me up when clouds appear.
05 Edwyn Collins – Leviathan
Frances: It just so happens that my favourite book by one of my favourite authors is called ‘Leviathan’ as well.
06 Tim Buckley – Buzzin Fly
Eugene: A dreamy piece of freeform folk. Simple but with enough going on to keep you interested until the last note. Tim Buckley sounded so relaxed and effortless in his delivery.
07 Patti Smith – My Blakean Year
Frances: I remember hearing this on the radio and being blown away by it. She is a remarkable woman.
08 Fairport Convention – Come All Ye
Eugene: More folk but re-invented for the time they were playing in. You really get the feeling that they’re all in one room swinging their pants, having a great time, then having a break for pie, mash and ale. The guitar and violin are amazing and Sandy Denny’s vocals are so beautiful.
09 Nico – Chelsea Girl
Frances: I played this a lot when I was pregnant but once the child came I had no time for such luxuries. When my son was about two years old, I found it under the rubble of nappies and toys, so put it on. My son stopped what he was doing and turned to me and said he loved this song. Oh well, must have done something right!
10 Orange Juice – Blue Boy
Eugene: Always my favourite Orange Juice track as it was the first song I heard by them. I discovered it on the turntable of my older brother’s hi-fi. I gave it a spin, the drums rumbled and the guitars attacked and my life changed. Guitar solo!
