yeah..shock! horror! gasp! the band that was AORTAL are now no
more...and yep it's my (james's) fault..with the world economy set to
shrink for the 1st time since 1945 and with governments slashing and
burning their way through our services and standard of living i feel
that i have to go back to my previous existence as a full time activist
with the Socialist Workers Party...it's not a decision i took lightly
as i am aware of the regard people had for the band and our
musicianship etc.

people approach me on the street now when i'm doing SWP stalls and the
level of suffering out there is unbelievable....i grew up in fatima
mansions council flats and can articulate, can speak out on behalf of
people who usually never have a voice.

my gift to the world is the sacrifice of my art to fight for a world
where a fairer distribution of society's resources means many many more
young working class men and women get to produce art...then am i not
then responsible for the flowering of far more art and music than i as
an individual could ever muster?



i'm sorry that conor and jay have to get their bearings and find new
projects but seeing as they are two of the most talented musicians in
dublin i have absolutely no doubt that whatever they do will succeed
and flourish.



i enjoyed my time with AORTAL and will still be around busking occassionally as i will need the extra cash now and again....



i hope people understand this decision...



i am determined to fight and win a better life for my parents and people like them....



fianna fail....i'm comin to get yez!!



james o'toole

MARCH 09