DUBLIN

1989 - 1999

OVERVIEW Brian was essentially a musical vehicle for singer-songwriter Ken Sweeney. The project ran for about 10 years [from 1989 - 1999]. However, in advance of this, Ken had performed with The Temps and Instant Party. He had been the primary songwriter with the latter. After the band split in 1986, Ken decided to pursue a solo path. Having said this, the early lineup of Brian also included Niall Austin on keyboards and vocals. In 1989, Brian released its debut single - 'A Million Miles' on Whitesands records. Around this time, Brian relocated to London. A second single, 'You Don't Want A Boyfriend' followed in 1991. The band came to the attention of Keith Cullen who ran the London-based Setanta Records. Cullen liked what he heard and signed the group. It was also around this time that Niall decided to part company with Brian leaving Ken to forge ahead on his own. Within a very short period of signing the deal, Brian had released its debut album, 'Understand' on the Setanta imprint. Later that year, the 'Planes' EP was also released. The EP featured 4 tracks which had not appeared on the album - 'Knowing', 'Planes Stacking Up', 'The World Ended With You' and 'She Takes You Away'. Some time after this, Ken decided to return to Dublin. He set to work on writing material for his next album. In advance of the album, Brian released the 'Turn Your Lights On' EP in 1998. The second album, 'Bring Trouble', was issued in April 1999. The band released a final, self-titled EP through the Spanish label, Elefant Records, later in 1999. Since then there have been no further releases or activity from Brian. More recently, Ken Sweeney has worked as a journalist. 1989 - Brian comes into being - Release of 'A Million Miles' single 1991 - Release of 'You Don't Want A Boyfriend' single 1992 - Release of 'Understand' album - Release of 'Planes' EP 1998 - Release of 'Turn Your Lights On' EP 1999 - Release of 'Bring Trouble' album [12 April] - Release of 'Brian' EP - Brian goes on hiatus