MUSIC: Aslan legend is back in Ballymun

TEN years ago Tony McGuiness dropped a bombshell to Aslan fans when he announced he was quitting the band and emigrating to Australia.

The Northside band’s bassist and songwriter had become disillusioned with Celtic Tiger Ireland and felt his time with Aslan was done.

Tony gave up music completely and worked as a courier initially when he moved to the Gold Coast but with music and songwriting in his DNA, he eventually resumed performing, singing and songwriting in Australia.

Born to Irish parents in London in the ‘60s, Tony moved to Ireland aged 12, landing in Ballymun. Music and songwriting became his passion and it wasn’t long before he was forming various bands, which ultimately led him to linking up with rock icon Christy Dignam.

With Aslan, Tony rode the rollercoaster of the rock n roll life in Ireland’s hardest working band and helped pen songs such as Hurt Sometimes and Crazy World before deciding to sell up and move down-under.

He’s now back home and has lost none of his passion or talent. He wrote an international hit song for another hugely successful Irish band, The Script called ‘If You See Kay’.

This Saturday (May 6), Tony will be back on a Northside stage with a show called ‘London Ballymun Sydney’ at Axis in Ballymun. The performance will be a reflection of Tony’s introduction to the world of music, and his musical journey to date. The gig features songs, music and background stories from Tony’s childhood and youth in London, his teenage years in Ballymun and the past ten years in Australia. 

The Saturday show will be a must for Aslan fans and anybody who loves real live music. Starting at 8pm, tickets costing €15 are available from Axis by calling 01-8832100 or going online to www.axisballymun.ie.