Eugenius

After the Vaselines dissolved in 1989, Eugene Kelly launched Eugenius and landed a major-label contract on the strength of Kurt Cobain’s endorsement. Unlike the Vaselines’ stripped-down approach, the new group favored a richer, more conventional guitar-pop style while retaining the same unpolished, guileless appeal. Kelly first convened the project in 1990 under the name Captain America, enlisting BMX Bandits guitarist Gordon Keen, Vaselines bassist James Seenan, and Teenage Fanclub drummer Brendan O’Hare. At that stage the endeavor remained casual; Kelly contributed to the BMX Bandits’ 1991 album Star Wars before committing fully to Captain America once Nirvana added the band to its 1991 European tour.

Captain America released the EP Wow! on the British indie Paperhouse in 1991. When the follow-up EP Flame On appeared in 1992, Marvel Comics objected to the band’s name on trademark grounds, prompting a change. Kelly chose Eugenius—simultaneously a nod to his own name and the title of a Roman throne claimant—and, buoyed by Cobain’s continued public praise, attracted interest from Atlantic Records. During this period several rhythm-section players passed through: drummers Francis MacDonald of Teenage Fanclub and Andy Bollen, plus bassist Joe McAlinden. The lineup eventually settled around bassist Raymond Boyle and drummer Roy Lawrence, who performed on most of the 1992 Atlantic debut Oomalama.

Oomalama earned strong reviews, yet its bright pop sensibility clashed with the prevailing grunge wave; even with Cobain’s backing, Eugenius lacked Nirvana’s sonic resemblance and therefore failed to convert most of that audience. The group nevertheless reached listeners far beyond the Vaselines’ earlier reach. Atlantic followed with the six-song live EP It Ain’t Rocket Science, It’s Eugenius!, which featured two re-recordings of Vaselines songs aimed at new listeners. In 1994 Eugenius issued the single “Caesar’s Vein,” soon followed by the album Mary Queen of Scots. This release drew cooler notices and did little to expand the band’s cult following. Kelly dissolved Eugenius in 1995 and pursued an intermittent solo path, releasing occasional singles and compilation tracks.