Aslan

Aslan, the Turkish for 'Lion', took their name from the heroic lion in C.S Lewis's series of books chronicling the fictional land of Narnia. Coming out of the working class areas of Finglas and Ballymun in Dublin's Northside, the band formed in 1982. It wasn't until 4 years later, when they released their first single, that their meteoric rise to success really started.

In May 1986 they released a demo single, 'This Is' which was an instant hit with every one and became the longest ever play-listed single on Ireland's pop music radio station, 2 FM. During that same summer they crossed the channel playing a series of rapturously received shows in the U.K. Melody Maker noted, 'Lucky the label that signs this band!'. Even at B.B.C Radio 1 they caused a stir. Janice Long recorded Aslan in session and went on to air it for an unprecedented three times in the subsequent weeks. 1986 was also full of promise back home. Aslan walked away with The Stag/Hot Press,' Most Promising New Band' award.

In 1988 they recorded their debut album, 'Feel No Shame' which shot straight in the No.1 spot of the Irish charts and remained there for weeks. Within a couple of months it was certified Gold. During the height of their success in August 1988 with the option for their 2nd album having already been taken up, Aslan split up amid huge press speculation, insinuation and hype. During the interim years the members of the band went their separate musical ways.

Five years and a day to the last time they gigged together (which happened to be the 11th of July 1993) they played what was supposed to be a once off charity gig in Finglas. The spark was reignited... They went on to release the single "Crazy World" which entered the charts at No 4 (their highest single chart position) and stayed in the charts for 3 months, becoming one of the most played songs on Irish Radio for the year. It also won the "Single of The Year" in 1993's Hot Press Awards. They appeared on every major Irish T.V show. A few months later the follow-up single "Where's The Sun" was released to their loyal fans of both old and new. It Reached No.3!

The latter part of 1994 was spent touring consistently in Ireland and recording their album, 'Goodbye Charlie Moonhead'. The album was released in Ireland at the end of 1994 and became an instant Top 10 success and was certified Gold weeks later. 1995 was taken up with touring - America, England, Ireland, and writing and recording their third album. They also won the much coveted 'Best Band’ in the Smithwicks/Hot Press Awards. This has only ever been won by two bands, one of which being U2.

Aslan went into the studio in April 96 to record the album 'Here Comes Lucy Jones' which was produced by Declan Sinnott ( Mary Black, Moving Hearts etc...) Released in October 1997 the album went straight into the Irish charts at no. 14. It was instantly acclaimed by national media as their finest work to date.

Aslan were nominated in seven categories of The Hot Press Readers Poll for 1997. They also travelled to Belfast to the "The Heineken Hotpress awards" and are nominated for best Band in the IRMA's.

Aslan's written biography 'Aslan's Crazy World' was released on the 24th March '98 and was an instant best seller. Written by Damian Corless the book documents the band's 15 year rock and roll adventure. A chance meeting between Christy Dignam and Hugh Drum sparked the idea earlier in the year of remixing Aslan's debut single, ‘This Is’. With E.M.I once again on board the single charted at no.7 and has received blanket radio play. 'Shame About Lucy Moonhead', the best of Aslan was released on the 19th July and shoot into the Irish albums charts at No.1 and has since turned double platinum.

In March 1999 Aslan played 5 sell out shows in Ireland's most prestigious intimate venue, Vicar St in which a live album and video concert movie were recorded. The album 'Made In Dublin' and video/movie were launched on 1st September by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern (Irish Prime Minister). Both shot to No 1 in their 1st week of release. The album turned platinum within 3 weeks and remained in the top 10 for 8 weeks and was still in the album charts in Autumn 2000!

Aslan finished 1999 on a high note by selling out Ireland's largest indoor venue (9000 capacity) , the Point Theatre on 26th December.

In April 2000, “Feel No Shame” Aslans first album (originally released in 1988) went back into the Irish Charts at number 14 and remained in the charts for several months.

In Summer 2000 Aslan tour Australia for the first time to promote the release down under of the album “Shame About Lucy Moonhead” and in the process, sell out shows in Sydney and Melbourne. They follow this success up with six sold out shows in Vicar St upon their return, including a special “under 18’s” afternoon performance for the younger Aslan fans.

Aslan end the year 2000 by playing their first gig in Holland to a sell out crowd and then returning to home soil to sell out the Point Theatre (capacity 9000) on Dec 27th. At this Christmas gig they perform some of the new material which will be included in the new album due out in 2001.

April 2001 the band booked themselves into Westland Studios, where they recorded “Feel No Shame” all those years ago. After extensive research they choose Ian Grimble to produce the album. Ian has previously worked with Manic Street Preachers, Travis, and Texas to name but a few. The studio was utilised until May 31st at which point a single “She’s So Beautiful” (featuring Sinead O ‘Connor on backing vocals) was released to radio. In it’s first week of release to the shops, “She’s So Beautiful” entered the Irish singles charts at number 9!

With another full house at the Point Depot on July 28th under their belts, the band released the second single “Different Man“ which charted at number 7 ! On September 21st 2001 “Waiting For This Madness To End” finally hit the shelves. By the following week the album had gone straight into the Irish Album charts at NUMBER 1, out selling the number 2 album four times over !!! The following week it remained at number 1 to keep Kylie Minogue off the top spot ! The album is currently still riding high in the charts and hit the platinum sales mark after only four weeks.