In Photos: The Vaselines + Retarded Cop @ Whelans, Dublin (12.07.11)

If you look up indie pop in the dictionary, there's a good chance you might find a photo of Glaswegian cult heroes The Vaselines. Kurt Cobain's "most favourite songwriters in the world" reformed in 2008, having been more or less dormant since splitting just one week after the release of Dum-Dum, their 1989 debut LP. It looks like they're back for real this time - an extensive tour (we also caught their London gig back in September), brand new album and fresh lineup boasting members of Belle and Sebastian signalling that this particular comeback is no mere nostaglia fest or, worse still, cynical money-making exercise.
 
The two-pronged attack of Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee remains as potent as ever, and last week's Whelans show provided sharp tunes and witty asides in equal measure. Click below to load a slideshow of Colm Kelly's photos from the gig, which also includes a few shots of local upstart Retarded Cop, who supported.