Aslan (band)

Last updated

Aslan
Origin Finglas, Dublin, Ireland
Genres Rock, celtic rock
Years active1982–1988, 1993–present
Labels EMI, BMG, Rubyworks Records
Members Joe Jewell
Billy McGuinness
Alan Downey
Lee Tomkins
Past members Christy Dignam
Eamo Doyle
Tony McGuinness
Rodney O'Brien
Website aslan.ie

Aslan are an Irish rock band from Dublin who formed in 1982. [1] Composed originally of Christy Dignam, Joe Jewell, Tony McGuinness, Billy McGuinness and Alan Downey, the band has released six studio albums: Feel No Shame (1988), Goodbye Charlie Moonhead (1994), Here Comes Lucy Jones (1997), Waiting For This Madness To End (2001), For Some Strange Reason (2007) and Nudie Books and Frenchies (2012). [2] [3]

Contents

History

Aslan took their name from the fictional lion in C.S. Lewis's series of books chronicling the land of Narnia (Aslan is the Turkish word for "Lion"). [4] The band came from the working class areas of Finglas and Ballymun in Dublin's Northside, in the mid-1980s. They released a demo single, "This Is", in the spring of 1986. It was a success and a popular single on Ireland's pop radio station, RTÉ 2fm. [5]

In the summer of 1986, they played a series of shows in the UK and Melody Maker noted: "Lucky the label that signs this band!" Janice Long at BBC Radio 1 recorded Aslan in session and it aired three times in the subsequent weeks. At the end of 1986, Aslan were awarded The Stag/Hot Press "Most Promising New Band" award and signed to EMI. [6]

Feel No Shame and breakup (1988)

In 1988, Aslan recorded their debut album, Feel No Shame, which went to number one on the Irish Albums Chart. Within a couple of months it was certified Gold, and the band embarked on a promotional U.S. tour. However, in August 1988 after the option for their second album had been picked up, and just before Feel No Shame was due to be released Stateside, Dignam's spiralling heroin addiction led to him being fired from the band. [7] The remaining members recruited singer Eamo Doyle, who previously played with Dublin band The Lookalikes, but according to drummer Alan Downey in the Made In Dublin DVD: "it was like U2 trying to go on without Bono...it was just never going to work". Eamo Doyle went on to play with Les Binks from Judas Priest. Christy Dignam went on to form Dignam & Goff with guitarist Conor Goff, whilst the other members went on to form The Precious Stones. [8]

Reunion

On 11 July 1993, Aslan played what was planned as a one-time charity performance in Finglas. Rather, they decided to reunite proper and subsequently landed a new record deal with BMG. The first single "Crazy World" entered the Irish Singles Chart at number four and stayed in the chart for three months. "Crazy World" also won the "Single of the Year" at 1993's Hot Press Awards. A few months later the follow-up single, "Where's The Sun", reached number three on the chart. [9]

The latter part of 1994 was spent touring in Ireland and recording their album Goodbye Charlie Moonhead, which was released in Ireland at the end of 1994 and charted at number one, going on to be certified Gold weeks later. But by 1995, the band were dropped by their record label BMG. [10]

In April 1996, Aslan began recording a new album without a record label. This album, Here Comes Lucy Jones was released in October 1997 and the album went into the Irish Albums Chart at number fourteen. Aslan were nominated in seven categories of the 1997 Hot Press readers poll. [11]

Shame About Lucy Moonhead, a compilation of the best of Aslan's recorded work on EMI, was released in July 1998. It reached number one in the Irish albums chart and was later certified double platinum. [12]

In March 1999, Aslan played five sell-out shows at Ireland's Vicar Street venue, during which their live album and video concert movie/DVD Made In Dublin were recorded. Both reached number one in their first week of release. The album went platinum within three weeks and remained in the top ten for eight weeks. Towards the end of 1999 Aslan sold out Ireland's largest indoor venue (9,000 capacity), the Point Theatre on 26 December, sharing the billing with Picture House. [13]

In the summer of 2000, Aslan toured Australia for the first time to promote the release of the album Shame About Lucy Moonhead and sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Aslan ended 2000 by playing for the first time in the Netherlands to a sellout crowd. Afterwards, they returned to Ireland to sell out the Point Theatre on 27 December.

In early 2001, Aslan recorded a single, "She's So Beautiful" (featuring Sinéad O'Connor on backing vocals [14] ), which entered the Irish Singles Chart at number nine on the week ending 26 July 2001 [15] and peaked at number eight the following week. [16] The band released the follow-up "Different Man", which charted at number seven. In September 2001, Aslan's studio album, Waiting for This Madness to End entered the Irish Album Chart at number one, and reached platinum sales certification after only four weeks. During Christmas 2001, Aslan again sold out the 9,000 capacity Point Theatre. In 2002 Aslan were nominated for eight categories in the Hot Press readers' poll.

In October 2005, the band released a 48-track CD, named Platinum. The album contains the singles, b-sides and rarities of their career. The Platinum collection went into the charts at number three and after several weeks achieved platinum sales. The band played yet another headlining gig at the Point Theatre on 27 December 2005.

The band helped write and perform "How Can I Protect You", the tenth track for Alabama 3 on their 2006 album, Outlaw . Their next album, For Some Strange Reason , was released in October 2007 and debuted at number eight in the Irish Albums Chart. This was their first album based solely on new material not to debut in top spot since 1997's Here Comes Lucy Jones. Two singles, "Here Comes the Sun" and "Jealous Little Thing" were released prior to the album. Singer Damien Dempsey makes an appearance on the new album on the track "Bullets and Diamonds".

On 15 February 2008, Aslan won the award for Best Irish Band at the 2008 Meteor Awards. Soon afterwards, Tony McGuinness announced on the band's website that he would be moving to Australia for one year with his family, and would be replaced by Rodney O'Brien as bass player for Aslan during that time. On 7 November 2008, Aslan performed "Always" on a balcony overlooking Dame Street, in Dublin for the music viral show BalconyTV . [17]

In May 2009, Aslan released "Uncased" and reached number two in the Irish Singles Chart. The band toured Australia in December 2011 playing to large crowds of predominantly expatriates. Their album Nudie Books and Frenchies was released in April 2012 and reached number one in the Irish Albums Chart.

Aslan released their next single "Secret Smile" on 10 July 2015. They also released their single "Now I Know" in 2018, with a 30th anniversary version of Feel No Shame on vinyl and CD. In early 2019, they released a 25th anniversary edition of Goodbye Charlie Moonhead on vinyl, excluding the track "Maybe I'm Obsessed".

Death of Christy Dignam

Christy Dignam died at his home on 13 June 2023 at the age of 63, from complications associated with amyloidosis and myeloma.

In February 2024, Aslan announced new singer Lee Tomkins as they prepared to embark on an Irish tour. [18]

Band members

Current

Former

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
IRE
1988Feel No Shame1
1994Goodbye Charlie Moonhead
  • Released: 1 October 1994
  • Label: BMG
  • Formats: CD, Cassette, LP
1
  • IRE: Gold
1997Here Comes Lucy Jones
  • Released: October 1997
  • Label: Solid (RO #19)
  • Formats: CD, Cassette, LP
14
  • IRE: Gold
2001Waiting For This Madness To End...
  • Released: September 2001
  • Label: EMI (SLAM #01)
  • Formats: CD, Cassette, LP
1
  • IRE: Platinum x2
2007For Some Strange Reason
  • Released: 5 October 2007
  • Label: EMI Ireland (SLAM #07)
  • Formats: CD, Cassette, LP
7
  • IRE: Gold
2009UNCASE'd
  • Released: 22 May 2009
  • Label: EMI Ireland (SLAM #09)
  • Formats: CD, Cassette, LP
2
2012Nudie Books and Frenchies
  • Released: 20 April 2012
  • Label: EMI Ireland
  • Formats: CD, Cassette, LP
1
2018 Feel No Shame 30th Anniversary
  • Released 7 September 2018
  • Label: Beaumex
  • Format: CD
N/A

Live albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
IRE
1999Made in Dublin – Live at Vicar Street
  • Released: 1999
  • Label: EMI Ireland
  • Formats: CD, LP
1
  • IRE: Platinum x3

Compilation albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
IRE
1998Shame About Lucy Moonhead – The Best of Aslan
  • Released: July 1998
  • Label: EMI Ireland
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
1
  • IRE: Platinum x2
2005The Platinum Collection
  • Released: October 2005
  • Label: EMI Ireland (SLAM #05)
  • Formats: CD, Cassette, LP
3
  • IRE: Platinum x3

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
IRE
1986"This Is"2Feel No Shame
"Loving Me Lately"
1987"Pretty Thing"14
"Please Don't Stop"7
1988"Loving Me Lately (Re-Issue)"20
"This Is (Re-Issue)"
1989"Don't Make Me Cry... Again"18non album single
"Strangelove"
1993"Crazy World"4Goodbye Charlie Moonhead
1994"Where's the Sun?"3
1995"Rainman"
1997"Lucy Jones Part 2"17Here Comes Lucy Jones
"Hurt Sometimes"35
1998"Lucy Jones Part 1"
"This Is '98"7Shame About Lucy Moonhead
"Crazy World '98"22
2001"She's So Beautiful"8Waiting For This Madness To End...
"Different Man"9
"Love Is All You Need"
2002"Six Days To Zero"19
2004"Shine A Light"4The Platinum Collection
"Crazy World (Re-Issue)"3
2005"Fall On Me"9
2007"Here Comes The Sun"5For Some Strange Reason
"Jealous Little Thing"22
2009"Jealous Guy"UNCASE'd
2012"Too Late For Hallelujah"24Nudie Books and Frenchies
2014"I Need a Little Time"22
2015"Secret Smile"--
2023"Fields of Athenry"--

DVD

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B*Witched</span> Irish girl group

B*Witched are an Irish girl group consisting of twin sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch, Lindsay Armaou and Sinéad O'Carroll. Originally active between 1997 and 2002, they enjoyed success in both Europe and North America between 1998 and 2002, releasing two albums and eight singles, all of which made the UK Top 20. Their first four singles, "C'est la Vie", "Rollercoaster", "To You I Belong" and "Blame It on the Weatherman", all reached number one in the UK Singles Chart and the group has sold over 3 million albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westlife</span> Irish boy band

Westlife are an Irish pop group formed in Dublin in 1998. The group consists of members Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne. Brian McFadden was a member before leaving in March 2004. The group disbanded in 2012 after 14 years and later reunited in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrea Corr</span> Irish musician

Andrea Jane Corr is an Irish musician and actress. Corr debuted in 1990 as the lead singer of the Celtic folk rock and pop rock group The Corrs along with her three elder siblings Caroline, Sharon and Jim. Aside from singing lead vocals, Corr plays the tin whistle, the mandolin, the ukulele and the piano.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Saw Doctors</span> Irish rock band

The Saw Doctors are an Irish rock band. Formed in 1986 in Tuam, County Galway, they have achieved eighteen Top 30 singles in the Republic of Ireland including three number ones. Their first number one, "I Useta Lover," topped the Irish charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1990 and holds the record for the country's all-time biggest-selling single. On 15 February 2008, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Drew</span> Musical artist

Joseph Ronald Drew was an Irish singer, folk musician and actor who had a fifty-year career recording with The Dubliners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christy Moore</span> Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist

Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is an Irish folk singer, songwriter and guitarist. In addition to his significant success as a solo artist, he is one of the founding members of the bands Planxty and Moving Hearts. His first album, Paddyon the Road was recorded with Dominic Behan in 1969. In 2007, he was named as Ireland's greatest living musician in RTÉ's People of the Year Awards.

Philip Coulter is an Irish musician, songwriter and record producer from Derry, Northern Ireland. He was awarded the Gold Badge from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in October 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U2 discography</span>

The Irish rock band U2 has released 15 studio albums, one live album, three compilation albums, 84 singles, and nine extended plays (EPs). The band formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in 1976 as teenagers. In 1979, the group issued their first release, the EP U2-3, which sold well in Ireland. The following year, the group signed to Island Records and released their debut album, Boy. It reached number 52 in the UK and number 63 in the US. They followed it up with the release of October (1981) and War (1983). War was a commercial success, becoming the band's first number-one album in the UK while reaching number 12 in the US. The album included the singles "Two Hearts Beat As One", "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day". On the subsequent War Tour, the group recorded the live album Under a Blood Red Sky and concert film U2 Live at Red Rocks, both of which sold well and helped establish them globally as a live act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damien Dempsey</span> Irish singer and songwriter

Damien Dempsey is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk contemporary lyrics that deliver social and political commentaries on Irish society. Damien sings in his native, working-class accent in the English language, and to a lesser extent in the Irish language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christy Dignam</span> Musical artist

Christopher Dignam was an Irish singer who was best known as the lead singer of the popular Irish rock band Aslan. His career of over 40 years was characterised by numerous successes on the Irish charts as well as recurring problems with drug addiction and recovery.

In Tua Nua are an Irish rock band. Their name is a phonetic spelling of the Irish Gaelic An Tuath Nua, meaning "the new tribe."

<i>Theology</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Sinéad OConnor

Theology is the eighth full-length album by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor. It was released in 2007 on Rubyworks. The album consists of two discs, the acoustic "Dublin Sessions" and the full-band "London Sessions".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delorentos</span> Irish alternative rock band

Delorentos are a Dublin-based Irish alternative rock band, formed in 2005. They consist of Rónan Yourell, Kieran McGuinness, Níal Conlan and Ross McCormick. The band's debut album In Love with Detail was critically acclaimed in Ireland, being nominated for the Choice Music Prize and in the Best Irish Album category at the 2007 Meteor Awards, at which Delorentos were also nominated for Best New Irish Band. Two extended plays have also been released; their debut release, titled Leave It On, in October 2005, and the follow-up EP, titled Do You Realise, came out in November 2007. The Delorentos discography consists of a selection of singles which impacted on the Irish Singles Chart, such as "The Rules" in May 2006 and "Stop" in July 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Jewell</span> Irish rock musician

Joe Jewell is an Irish singer and lead guitarist of the rock band Aslan. His career of over twenty-five years has been characterized by numerous successes on the Irish charts. He co-wrote many of the band's songs including "Crazy World", "This Is", "Where's The Sun?", and "Hurt Sometimes". He also wrote the memorable riffs behind the songs and is the falsetto backing vocalist behind Christy Dignam in the band.

Dignam & Goff was the project of Christy Dignam, the lead singer of the band Aslan, and the guitarist Conor Goff in the early 1990s before Aslan reunited in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ballad of Ronnie Drew</span> 2008 single by U2, The Dubliners, Kíla and A Band of Bowsies

"The Ballad of Ronnie Drew" is a single by U2, The Dubliners, Kíla and A Band of Bowsies. The single was recorded as a charitable project, with proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society – owing to Ronnie Drew's cancer condition. It was recorded at Windmill Lane on 14 and 15 January 2008. "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew" is available as a CD in Ireland only. Ronnie Drew died a few months after the release of the single in August 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Script</span> Irish rock band

The Script are an Irish rock band formed in 2001 in Dublin, Ireland. The band currently consists of Danny O'Donoghue, Glen Power, Benjamin Sargent and Ben Weaver (guitar). Mark Sheehan was a member of the band up until his death in 2023. The band moved to London after signing to Sony Label Group imprint Phonogenic and released their first album The Script in August 2008, preceded by the debut single "We Cry" as well as other singles such as "The Man Who Can't Be Moved", "Breakeven" and "Before the Worst". The album peaked at number one in both Ireland and the UK. Their next three albums, Science & Faith (2010), #3 (2012) and No Sound Without Silence (2014), all topped the album charts in Ireland and the UK, while Science & Faith reached number two in Australia and number three in the United States. Some of the hit singles from the albums include "For the First Time", "Nothing", "Hall of Fame" and "Superheroes". The band's fifth studio album, Freedom Child, was released on 1 September 2017, and features the UK Top 20 single "Rain". Their sixth studio album, Sunsets & Full Moons, was released on 8 November 2019, and features the single "The Last Time". A Greatest Hits album was released on 1 October 2021.

<i>The Irish Connection</i> (Brian McFadden album) 2013 studio album by Brian McFadden

The Irish Connection is the fourth studio album released by Irish singer-songwriter, Brian McFadden. The album was released on 1 March 2013 in Ireland, followed three days later on 4 March in the United Kingdom. The album was preceded by the release of the lead single, a cover of "All I Want Is You", a duet with Ronan Keating, released on 25 February 2013. The album contains ten covers of songs by popular Irish artists, including U2, Sinéad O'Connor and Damien Rice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy World (Aslan song)</span> 1993 single by Aslan

"Crazy World" is a single by Irish Dublin-based group Aslan, released in July 1993 by BMG Ireland. Taken from the album Goodbye Charlie Moonhead, the song reached number four on the Irish Singles Chart and stayed in the charts for three months, becoming one of the most played songs on Irish radio in 1993. It also won "Single of The Year" at 1993's Hot Press Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fontaines D.C.</span> Irish rock band

Fontaines D.C. are an Irish post-punk band formed in Dublin in 2014. The band consists of Grian Chatten (vocals), Conor Curley (guitar), Conor Deegan III (bass), Tom Coll (drums) and Carlos O'Connell (guitar).

References

  1. "Aslan singer Christy Dignam dies after long illness". BBC News. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  2. "5 things you may not know about Aslan". Irish Times . Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  3. "Aslan Discography". discogs.com. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  4. "5 things you may not know about Aslan". Irish Times . Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  5. "Aslan – The Early Years". RTE . Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  6. "ASLAN – A biography". Irish Independent . 22 January 2000. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  7. "Remembering Christy Dignam: "I'm not into regrets. Regrets are ridiculous"". Hot Press . 13 June 2024.
  8. "ASLAN – A biography". Irish Independent . 22 January 2000. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  9. "ASLAN – A biography". Irish Independent . 22 January 2000. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  10. "ASLAN – A biography". Irish Independent . 22 January 2000. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  11. "ASLAN – A biography". Irish Independent . 22 January 2000. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  12. "ASLAN – A biography". Irish Independent . 22 January 2000. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  13. "Here's Why Aslan's 'Made In Dublin' Is One Of The Greatest Irish Albums Ever Recorded". Lovin Dublin . Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  14. "Sinead O Connor Discography". Sinead-oconnor.com. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  15. "GFK Chart-Track". Archived from the original on 25 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  16. "GFK Chart-Track". Archived from the original on 25 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  17. "ASLAN – Video Archive – BALCONYTV – Over 15 million video views – Music with a View". Balconytv.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  18. "Aslan announce new singer and string of tour dates". RTE News. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.