Aslan announce Lee Tomkins as new singer

Aslan has announced their new frontman in the form of Lee Tomkins.

Tomkins previously served as frontman of DC Tempest, which opened for acts such as Bon Jovi, Razorlight and Kid Rock.

The singer-songwriter has been tapped by Aslan to replace their late frontman Christy Dignam, who passed away last June following a long illness.

In a statement posted to Facebook, band members Billy McGuinness, Joe Jewell and Alan Downey said they had “mixed emotions” about the announcement.

“After 40 years of playing with our frontman Christy, we absolutely know it’s not the same and never will be but we want to continue playing our music and bringing our music to you,” the post said.

“This is our way of letting our memories over 4 decades, live on and keeping Aslan alive within each of us and together and keeping our music alive for you all.”

Aslan had previously announced that they plan to continue touring following the passing of Dignam.

Speaking to Northside People last July, McGuinness said that Aslan made a decision as a band to keep going, “because quite frankly we don’t know anything else.”

“We’re working musicians and this is what we’ve been doing for 40 years,” he said at the time.

“We are taking baby steps at the minute, we are taking solace in each other and the music, we are taking it as it comes.”

The band said, “we are looking forward to seeing you all again and we welcome Lee Tomkins, who will be singing our Aslan songs and has been a huge support to each of us in being able to make this happen.”

They wrote “we, as always, are so grateful for the love and support you have all shown us, through our difficult times and our good times.”

“We truly hope we will make you proud and we are looking forward to bringing you some songs that we have never performed live before. See you soon, Joe, Alan and Billy.”

Aslan will be going on tour in March, with the tour culminating at a gig at Whelan’s in Dublin.