 From 1985 McEwen took a few years off from music in pursuit of a deeper purpose.Shortly after moving to New York in 1990, Sharkey joined the New York City based hard rock group, The Ancestors, who released the album "Brigadoon" in 1994 which he co-produced.In 1998, Joziah Longo, Tink Lloyd, Tony Zuzulo and Sharkey McEwen formed the Hudson Valley-based group, Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, with whom he continues to perform.