Andy Nolan (Accordian)
Andy Carlton Enda Kian Paddy Ronan |
Andy was born in Hammersmith, West London before moving to Acton at 11. He has played the tin whistle from age 8 and the accordion from 10. By the time he was 13 he was playing almost seven nights a week on the Irish trad scene in London with the likes of Mick O’Connor, Brian Kelly and Tommy McManamon.
At 20, he joined Ronan’s band ‘Slainte’ playing Irish rock and ballads and also played in Ronan’s other band ‘Second Nature’ playing rock, before joining Shane MacGowan and The Popes in 1999 and Spider Stacy’s band The Vendettas - playing in both bands at the same time – culminating in playing with Shane MacGowen to 50 000 people in Chicago, Boston and New York. “I grew up a massive Pogues fan so to end up in Shane’s band was a dream come true.” His major musical influences include The Pogues, Oasis and U2. “At the time I didn’t realise that the Irish had such a huge influence on the British pop and rock scene. I was born in the 70s when Johnny Lydon gave the world punk music. In the 80s it was Stephen Morrissey and Johnny Marr in The Smiths as well as the likes of George O’Dowd’s Culture Club. In the 90s it was Oasis. Looking back all the major UK bands had strong Irish roots and influences” A huge Celtic FC fan, Andy was able to indulge his passion when BCS played on the pitch at Celtic Park to 60,000 Celtic fans on a Champions League night. Other personal highlights for Andy include playing with Elvis Costello in New York and Boston and performing alongside Van Morrison and Thin Lizzy at The Feis in 2011 at Finsbury Park. When away from his music and not following Celtic, Andy is screenwriter and has written and produced a forthcoming Irish crime movie, Clan London which is currently in pre production. He currently resides in Hillingdon, West London, UK |
