Justin Hayward-Young

Justin Hayward-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 and roll, indie rock, folk
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 Southampton, Hampshire. He grew up in Hampshire 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] He has stated that his father is a musician and that he grew up in a "musical household" and began playing music by borrowing his father's guitars.[3] He loved Elvis during his childhood, and bands such as Nirvana when he was a teenager.[4]

In June 2010 Justin graduated from King's College London with a degree in history.[5]

Career

During his teenage years, he played in a band called The Eldora Parade, and at 16 he started a group called Fashion Police Brutality.[6] In his early 20s while living in London, Young started a solo project and performed under the stage name Jay Jay Pistolet. As Jay Jay Pistolet, Young released an EP 'We Are Free' with Chess Club Records in 2008 and 'Happy Birthday You' with Stiff Records.[7][8] In December 2008, Justin Young announced that he would be no longer be performing as Jay Jay Pistolet and left his fans with a 25-track 'Goodbye CD'.[9][10][11] In 2010 he started his current band, The Vaccines, along with current bandmates Freddie Cowan, Árni Árnason and Pete Robertson. In 2011, Young underwent three separate throat operations to treat haemorrhaging due to recurrent vocal polyps.[12]

Personal life

From ages 13 to 18, Young followed a vegan diet.[13]

During his time in London, he lived with three other musicians: Marcus Mumford and Winston Marshall of the band Mumford and Sons and Alan Pownall of Pale.[14] Mumford was a frequent collaborator with Justin while he was performing as Jay Jay Pistolet, typically providing percussion accompaniment.[15][16] As of 2014, Justin is the godfather to Pownall's infant son.[17]

In 2011, a portrait of Young painted by British artist Joe Simpson was exhibited around the UK including a solo exhibition at The Royal Albert Hall.[18]

Justin Young moved to New York's Chinatown in 2013 and has since resided there.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Danelectro Guitar User – Justin Young – The Vaccines". John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd. 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  2. ↑ Simpson, Dave (25 November 2010). "The Vaccines: 'We're doing everything right'". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Jay Jay Pistolet interview: River Rat Pack Tour Launch". YouTube. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "'Mojo' Recommends: Jay Jay Pistolet". 20 March 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "News: Dripping with je ne sais quoi". King's College London. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "The Vaccines". Ladygunn. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "Jay Jay Pistolet – We Are Free". Discogs.com. 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "Jay Jay Pistolet – Happy Birthday You E.P (CD)". Discogs.com. 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Roberts, Lynn (29 September 2009). "Jay Jay Pistolet calls it a day". For Folk's Sake. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  10. ↑ Roberts, Lynn (30 November 2009). "Jay Jay Pistolet offers 25-track 'Goodbye CD'". For Folk's Sake. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  11. ↑ http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/25+Songs/5939173
  12. ↑ "The Vaccines postpone tours as Justin Young is set for third throat operation of 2011". NME. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  13. ↑ Robb, John (22 March 2011). "The Vaccines – a definitive interview". Louder Than War. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  14. ↑ Roberts, Lynn (12 March 2011). "From the archives: FFS interviews Mumford and Sons". For Folk's Sake. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "SXSW-Jay Jay Pistolet – Hooked Up on Us". YouTube. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  16. ↑ "Another New One – Jay Jay Pistolet – Union Chapel". YouTube. 2 December 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  17. ↑ sheikhyhaand (2014). "Godson in NYC". Instagram. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  18. ↑ NME "Musician Portraits - Joe Simpson's paintings of rock stars" "2011"
  19. ↑ 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.