Justin Young (singer, born 1987)
| Justin Young | |
|---|---|
|
Justin Young performing with The Vaccines in 2013. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Justin James Hayward-Young |
| Born |
2 May 1987 Southampton, Hampshire, England |
| Genres | Rock & Roll, Indie Rock, Folk, Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-Songwriter, Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Notable instruments | |
| Danelectro Dead On '67[1] | |
Justin James Hayward-Young (born 2 May 1987), often referred to simply as Justin Young, is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He is currently the lead singer and guitarist of English indie rock band The Vaccines.
Early life
Young was born in Hampshire, England and grew up in the New Forest. He is a great-grandson of the prolific English painter and postcard artist Walter Hayward-Young who was commonly known as "Jotter".[2] The son of a film-maker, he grew up in a "musical household" and began playing music by borrowing his father's guitars.[3] It has been said that he loved Elvis during his childhood.
In June 2010 Justin graduated from King's College London with a degree in History.[4]
Career
During his early teens, he started an alt-country band called The Eldora Parade, and at 16 he played in a hardcore punk band Fashion Police Brutality.[5]
Arriving in London in his later teens, Young started a solo project and performed under the stage name Jay Jay Pistolet. As Jay Jay Pistolet, Young released a single 'We Are Free' with Chess Club Records in 2007 and an EP 'Happy Birthday You' in 2008 with Stiff Records, frequently touring with the likes of Laura Marling, Kid Harpoon, Slow Club and Johnny Flynn.[6][7] In December 2008, Justin Young announced that he would be no longer be performing as Jay Jay Pistolet.
In 2010 he started his current band, The Vaccines, along with current bandmates Freddie Cowan, Árni Árnason and Pete Robertson and gained worldwide success. In 2011, Young underwent three separate throat operations to treat haemorrhaging due to recurrent vocal polyps.[8]
Outside of his work with The Vaccines Young has worked a songwriter for other artists, including One Direction.
Personal life
During his early years in Chelsea, London, Young lived with three other musicians: Marcus Mumford and Winston Marshall of the band Mumford and Sons and Alan Pownall of electro outfit Pale.[9] Mumford was a frequent collaborator with Young while he was performing as Jay Jay Pistolet, typically providing percussion accompaniment.[10][11]
Justin Young moved to New York's Chinatown in 2013 and has since resided there.[12]
References
- ↑ "Danelectro Guitar User – Justin Young – The Vaccines". John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd. 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ Simpson, Dave (25 November 2010). "The Vaccines: 'We're doing everything right'". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "Jay Jay Pistolet interview: River Rat Pack Tour Launch". YouTube. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "News: Dripping with je ne sais quoi". King's College London. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "The Vaccines". Ladygunn. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "Jay Jay Pistolet – We Are Free". Discogs.com. 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "Jay Jay Pistolet – Happy Birthday You E.P (CD)". Discogs.com. 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "The Vaccines postpone tours as Justin Young is set for third throat operation of 2011". NME. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ Roberts, Lynn (12 March 2011). "From the archives: FFS interviews Mumford and Sons". For Folk's Sake. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "SXSW-Jay Jay Pistolet – Hooked Up on Us". YouTube. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "Another New One – Jay Jay Pistolet – Union Chapel". YouTube. 2 December 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ↑ Lanham, Tom (October 2011). "The PV Q&A: The Vaccines Justin Young on 'Melody Calling,' Vocal Cord Surgery, and Co-Writing With One Direction". Pure Volume. Retrieved 10 July 2014.