Ah poor Christie !

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Struggling to feel sorry for Christie Dignam of Aslan, recently he appeared in a paper or the independent.ie crying his heart out that he's down to his last 300 euros. Banging on that the government should be giving him grants to get back on the road etc.

I'm sorry but I don't feel sorry for him. He's been living off the fame of the few songs he has for too long , I personally think if he wants to make money again he needs to release new good music, much like other Irish artists who have not been complaining (soda blonde etc) or he needs to get an actual job.

Why he can't pick up a job is beyond me, it's not like he's some A Lister celebrity that shouldn't have to work, he's another human like the rest of us. Many an A Lister and celebs who were big in the 90's etc have faded away from fame and gotten jobs and they are still happy.

Christie was also on a radio show a few months back too talking about it there he had bills to pay and so did the other band members etc. So it's not the first time he's cried poverty.

It actually makes for a terrible read too... Here it is:

https://independent.ie/entertainment/music/aslans-christy-dignam-im-down-to-mylast-300-im-considering-becoming-a-delivery-driver-40559643.html

Burt Renaults

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Why he can't pick up a job is beyond me, it's not like he's some A Lister celebrity that shouldn't have to work, he's another human like the rest of us.

He's terminally ill and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Burt Renaults wrote: »

He's terminally ill and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

I wasn't aware of that until now.

So why isn't he claiming sick from the social and a medical card etc ?

Rather than flat out saying the government should give him money just like that.

But also if he is that ill then why does he want to continue touring ? Surely he should be resting. I'm sorry but it doesn't add up.

Thespoofer

He was right about one thing, it's a crazy world.

Doublebusy

He went to the newspapers to sell his "broke" story and got paid for it. Id also imagine its to get people talking and buying aslans back log of music. So your helping him bringing attention to the fact on this fairly popular web page. Good on ya - you probably dont realise but your "poor Christie" thread may do him some good

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Doublebusy wrote: »

He went to the newspapers to sell his "broke" story and got paid for it. Id also imagine its to get people talking and buying aslans back log of music. So your helping him bringing attention to the fact on this fairly popular web page. Good on ya - you probably dont realise but your "poor Christie" thread may do him some good

If it does then so be it, I never said I hated the guy or wish him misfortune, I just don't feel sorry for him or buy his sob story

Burt Renaults

Burt Renaults wrote: »

He's terminally ill and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

And he's over 60. Employers are ageist as fu*k.

Tilden Katz

Burt Renaults wrote: »

He's terminally ill and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

There should be social supports available to him. I wonder has he looked into them all.

Burt Renaults

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I wasn't aware of that until now.

So why isn't he claiming sick from the social and a medical card etc ?

Rather than flat out saying the government should give him money just like that.

It's mentioned in the article that you linked to. I'm sure he is claiming all of those things, but that won't pay his mortgage. They're a hardworking band, Aslan, but some of the venues I've seen them in... well, I doubt they're loaded. I wouldn't begrudge them the bit of publicity.

Doublebusy

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

If it does then so be it, I never said I hated the guy or wish him misfortune, I just don't feel sorry for him or buy his sob story

Grand
You can feel that way

Leg End Reject

Burt Renaults wrote: »

He's terminally ill and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

And has been ill for many years too.

Did he spend it all on drugs?

ReginaldSmythV

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Did he spend it all on drugs?

No. He's been clean for years and has worked hard despite illness

Duckworth_Luas

Just let him take the peno for fcuks sake!

Bobblehats

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

Just let him take the chemo for fcuks sake!

Fyp

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Struggling to feel sorry for Christie Dignam of Aslan, recently he appeared in a paper or the independent.ie crying his heart out that he's down to his last 300 euros. Banging on that the government should be giving him grants to get back on the road etc.

I'm sorry but I don't feel sorry for him. He's been living off the fame of the few songs he has for too long , I personally think if he wants to make money again he needs to release new good music, much like other Irish artists who have not been complaining (soda blonde etc) or he needs to get an actual job.

Why he can't pick up a job is beyond me, it's not like he's some A Lister celebrity that shouldn't have to work, he's another human like the rest of us. Many an A Lister and celebs who were big in the 90's etc have faded away from fame and gotten jobs and they are still happy.

Christie was also on a radio show a few months back too talking about it there he had bills to pay and so did the other band members etc. So it's not the first time he's cried poverty.

It actually makes for a terrible read too... Here it is:

https://independent.ie/entertainment/music/aslans-christy-dignam-im-down-to-mylast-300-im-considering-becoming-a-delivery-driver-40559643.html

Nobodies going to employ a 60 year old who's never worked other than gigging and who's going through cancer treatment

BuboBubo

He's probably claiming invalidity pension or some other social welfare payment.

Even so, it's extremely difficult to live on €200 (approx) per week. He's very frail, I have some sympathy for the man. He's lucky to be still alive.

Doublebusy

Anyone else singing /whistling / humming an Aslan song now

gifted

Burt Renaults wrote: »

He's terminally ill and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

He's terminally ill for an awful awful long time?

odyssey06

I guess the royalties have dried up?

Bobblehats

Doublebusy wrote: »

Anyone else singing /whistling / humming an Aslan song now

This is? Crazy world.

Tony EH

It's gas how some people's limited abilities will only allow them to think "get a job" as a solution to something. Like it's so bloody simple to just go out and "get a job". Even if Christy Dignam was ten years younger, he'd find it next to impossible to get work, never mind the fact that he's now 61. And this is before you even consider the fact that he's got cancer, which will act another blocker on his chances to "get a job" when an employer is aware of that.

"Get a job"... :pac:

Leg End Reject

gifted wrote: »

He's terminally ill for an awful awful long time?

That happens, being diagnosed as terminally ill doesn't always mean you're in the final months of your life. People can live for years after a terminal diagnosis.

I did think his prognosis was more positive initially though.

endacl

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

If it does then so be it, I never said I hated the guy or wish him misfortune, I just don't feel sorry for him or buy his sob story

Internet’s funny. I bet if you were aware of the mans situation you wouldn’t have posted the thread. It’s ok to say that and just drop it. You don’t have to maintain a position just because you went to the trouble of typing.

Like the way the real world works. We won’t judge.

pale rider

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Struggling to feel sorry for Christie Dignam of Aslan, recently he appeared in a paper or the independent.ie crying his heart out that he's down to his last 300 euros. Banging on that the government should be giving him grants to get back on the road etc.

I'm sorry but I don't feel sorry for him. He's been living off the fame of the few songs he has for too long , I personally think if he wants to make money again he needs to release new good music, much like other Irish artists who have not been complaining (soda blonde etc) or he needs to get an actual job.

Why he can't pick up a job is beyond me, it's not like he's some A Lister celebrity that shouldn't have to work, he's another human like the rest of us. Many an A Lister and celebs who were big in the 90's etc have faded away from fame and gotten jobs and they are still happy.

Christie was also on a radio show a few months back too talking about it there he had bills to pay and so did the other band members etc. So it's not the first time he's cried poverty.

It actually makes for a terrible read too... Here it is:

https://independent.ie/entertainment/music/aslans-christy-dignam-im-down-to-mylast-300-im-considering-becoming-a-delivery-driver-40559643.html

Is it so difficult for you to do the slightest bit of background before you decide to vent on an Internet forum, get yourself a life.

Fils

Was it just the one tune he had? ‘Crazy world’

Leg End Reject

Unrelated, but I always thought 'Pretty Thing' was their best song.

insert name here 123

He lives in a home worth (at current market values) around 450k. Drives a nice 142D merc, was on the "living with lucy" a while back, another pay check along with the indo story.

Regardless of illness or age, begging to the taxpayer for funds is enough to get peoples backs up.

Meh....

Why doesn't he set up a go fund me page? if each fan gave a euro 💶

Fils

Fils wrote: »

Was it just the one tune he had? ‘Crazy world’

You'll know this one also

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cskVF4BFgoI

biko

I suppose a lot of artists with no other marketable skills now will have to do other jobs to hold them over.

odyssey06

Fils wrote: »

Was it just the one tune he had? ‘Crazy world’

You've never heard This Is? Have a listen, Christy might get a few cents from it...

How Soon Is Now

Some ****e band that's only heard on the likes on FM104 or 98fm living off of one or two generic songs that were probably never played outside of Ireland.


If ya seen auld Christie on any given day over the years you would think he was just some random junkie walking the streets. Sure, look at the head on him.

mickdw

insert name here 123 wrote: »

He lives in a home worth (at current market values) around 450k. Drives a nice 142D merc, was on the "living with lucy" a while back, another pay check along with the indo story.

Regardless of illness or age, begging to the taxpayer for funds is enough to get peoples backs up.

Meh....

Why doesn't he set up a go fund me page? if each fan gave a euro 💶

He is sick - id give him a free pass - there should be enough supports for him to live reasonably but saying that, at his age he should have his mortgage paid but he was too ****ed up with drugs in his younger days.
What i cant understand is Mary Coughlan. Claiming she was entitled to nothing during the lockdown. Now, every self employed person got the pup so i dont know what the story is.

How Soon Is Now

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

Some ****e band that's only heard on the likes on FM104 or 98fm living off of one or two generic songs that were probably never played outside of Ireland.


If ya seen auld Christie on any given day over the years you would think he was just some random junkie walking the streets. Sure, look at the head on him.

Crazy world was a big hit on MTV in the early 90s. They would've been as big as U2 if he hadn't got fcuked up

Burt Renaults

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

If ya seen auld Christie on any given day over the years you would think he was just some random junkie walking the streets. Sure, look at the head on him.

I don't think any decent human being would think that.

BorneTobyWilde

Seems like a good guy who has continued to tour even in his condition. I think he had every right to get a grant. Don't understand the hate for someone who is penniless and has cancer, but that's typical Irish people.
Tubirdy is happy to book him on the Late Late over and over and over, but Tubirdy would not throw him a euro if he saw him in the gutter.
Bono is another tax dodging twat who again would not help him.

trashcan

Bobblehats wrote: »

This is? Crazy world.

Yep, those are the two.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Burt Renaults wrote: »

I don't think any decent human being would think that.

I think its if you didn't know who he was.

Reading the article quotes from Christie I have to be honest I thought he was better spoken but I was wrong...

So if you didn't know him from Adam, you see him on the street for the first time and hear him speak then yeah I can see what this poster means

Like I say I don't hate the guy but I think if he's willing to tour the country gigging then surely he'd be ok to work some form of job to help pay the bills. I just don't like the mentality of government should just hand him a grant because of who he is.

gifted

gifted wrote: »

He's terminally ill for an awful awful long time?

Ah now, that's pretty ignorant. Someone can have final stage cancer and still live for years, but even though they're alive, it's gruelling chemo which keeps them alive, so it's a tough road much of the time - and until pain becomes too much, they'll want to keep going - survival instinct.

How Soon Is Now

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

Some ****e band that's only heard on the likes on FM104 or 98fm living off of one or two generic songs that were probably never played outside of Ireland.


If ya seen auld Christie on any given day over the years you would think he was just some random junkie walking the streets. Sure, look at the head on him.

All that rambling crap tells me is you know SFA of the music scene in Ireland in the 80’s and 90’s.

Burt Renaults

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I think its if you didn't know who he was.

Reading the article quotes from Christie I have to be honest I thought he was better spoken but I was wrong...

So if you didn't know him from Adam, you see him on the street for the first time and hear him speak then yeah I can see what this poster means

Like I say I don't hate the guy but I think if he's willing to tour the country gigging then surely he'd be ok to work some form of job to help pay the bills. I just don't like the mentality of government should just hand him a grant because of who he is.

Regardless of knowing who he is, decent people don't dismiss other human beings as "random junkies" based on their appearance.

I think you're underestimating how difficult it might be for a terminally ill 61-year-old professional musician, currently undergoing chemotherapy, to get any sort of job.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Like I say I don't hate the guy but I think if he's willing to tour the country gigging then surely he'd be ok to work some form of job to help pay the bills. I just don't like the mentality of government should just hand him a grant because of who he is.

C'mon man - there are enough posts explaining why getting a job is highly unlikely to be an option. There are employers who consider late 30s too old. The guy is over two decades older than that. That's without his serious illness and treatment. Be honest and realistic.

He's not looking for support because of who he is, but because of his circumstances. I dislike self entitlement too but this isn't a situation like that - this is someone who really needs help.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Lurleen wrote: »

C'mon man - there are enough posts explaining why getting a job is highly unlikely to be an option. There are employers who consider late 30s too old. The guy is over two decades older than that. That's without his serious illness and treatment. Be honest and realistic.

He's not looking for support because of who he is, but because of his circumstances. I dislike self entitlement too but this isn't a situation like that - this is someone who really needs help.

I get that it's not going to be the easiest for him

But surely going around with the same old songs for 20 years he should realize that it wasn't gonna last forever ? Surely he'd have a rainy day fund for when the music money dries up.

This guy is yes 61 at the moment, he's been making decent money for over 20 years, surely he could've saved a few euro for the likes of this and also have some form of back up plan ?

A lot of people have back up plans for work etc, rainy day funds etc. But I get the impression he was trying to live the rock and roll life based on very little.

I'm not dismissing his illness either btw, but if he actively wants to tour the country and continue doing gigs then surely there are jobs he can do ? I'm sorry if that's cruel to you but I used to see it all the time the likes of Tesco taking on people with disabilities etc and giving them work etc. If things are that bad then I don't see why not ? Surely working a till sitting down won't be as bad on him as doing a gig where he needs more energy ?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I get that it's not going to be the easiest for him

But surely going around with the same old songs for 20 years he should realize that it wasn't gonna last forever ? Surely he'd have a rainy day fund for when the music money dries up.

This guy is yes 61 at the moment, he's been making decent money for over 20 years, surely he could've saved a few euro for the likes of this and also have some form of back up plan ?

A lot of people have back up plans for work etc, rainy day funds etc. But I get the impression he was trying to live the rock and roll life based on very little.

I'm not dismissing his illness either btw, but if he actively wants to tour the country and continue doing gigs then surely there are jobs he can do ? I'm sorry if that's cruel to you but I used to see it all the time the likes of Tesco taking on people with disabilities etc and giving them work etc. If things are that bad then I don't see why not ? Surely working a till sitting down won't be as bad on him as doing a gig where he needs more energy ?

Maybe Tesco could give him a few hours a week on a zero day contract

insert name here 123

mickdw wrote: »

He is sick - id give him a free pass - there should be enough supports for him to live reasonably but saying that, at his age he should have his mortgage paid but he was too ****ed up with drugs in his younger days.
What i cant understand is Mary Coughlan. Claiming she was entitled to nothing during the lockdown. Now, every self employed person got the pup so i dont know what the story is.

Of course, his illness is terrible and hope he recovers. Just the 300e thing (rolleyes) for fecks sake, I doubt it very much he is on the bread line and only 300e to his name.

Looking for the sympathy vote. Good band with potential, demons came calling and unfortunately the band suffered.

I do remember him giving an interview with Ivan Yates, he was very honest then and didn't shy away from any questions. I think think he is a decent chap, but less of the shute talk.

Beechwoodspark

His book from around 2000 or so about his life is very good

Touring would be his choice. A job would be a hiring manager's choice. What jobs would a person in their early 60s in very poor health requiring a high level of absenteeism be able to obtain?

Whether he saved for a rainy day or not is irrelevant - it's his situation now which counts. I'm glad to live in a society that will help those in need.

Meeoow

I agree with a lot of what he said in the article. Fair play, they stayed here and paid their taxes. Respect for that.
But I don't really understand what costs they have for going back on the road. Like their instruments and gear should be fine. I assume thay have a tour bus too.
A local pub of mine got a big grant to put on some music. Apparently they will use most of it to pay musicians. So I'm wondering are they not going to charge punters in like they used to? I'm interested to see will they charge at the door too.

I like Christy.

EmmetSpiceland

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

His book from around 2000 or so about his life is very good

Wasn’t he abused as a kid and then went to talk to someone’s older brother about it and he then raped him as well? Not hard to see how the lad had his demons.

Fair play to him for getting off the heroin and getting his life back on track. Hopefully, he gets the help he needs now.

ShatterProof

Was involved in a festival couple of years back where they were due to play. Met him beforehand and he looked liked he was on deaths door. Did rehearsal and then he sat around drinking tea for a while chatting in a low almost inaudible voice. I was waiting for him to keel over. Come show time and up he’s get on stage. Within minutes he had crowd in palm of his hand. Blasting out a set of originals and cover. The man was born to perform.