Russell Lissack

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Russell Lissack
Image:RussellLissack.jpg Russell Lissack The image above is a candidate for speedy deletion. It will be deleted on 2007-03-12.
Background information
Born	March 11, 1981 (age 26)
Origin	Chingford, England
Genre(s)	Indie rock Art rock
Instrument(s)	Guitar
Years active	2002–present
Associated acts	Bloc Party
Notable instrument(s)
Fender Telecaster

Russell Lissack (born March 11, 1981) is the lead guitarist of London-based indie rock band Bloc Party. Lissack grew up in Chingford, London, and went to Bancroft's School in Woodford, Essex. He then studied Sociology at London South Bank University, dropping out weeks before graduation so he could tour with Bloc Party. He does not do many interviews, (and when he does, he keeps words to a minimum) and he shies away from the camera, leading many to believe that he is quite quiet. Despite his somewhat timid nature, Russell recently did an interview for Peta2's website. [1]

When Bloc Party became popular mid 2004, Russell was noted for his distinctive haircut, involving a triangular fringe covering a large part of his face and head. This style has affectionately become known as a "blochead," after Alexander Ghionis referred to it as this in his weekly column in the New Musical Express. Many have tried to copy the style, including Ghionis himself.

Although he has a wiry, sharp solo sound, derived from the use of a Fender Telecaster, he also uses his effects pedals to create ambient sounds (such as the delay effect at the beginning of "Like Eating Glass").

Contents 1 Influences 2 Musical Equipment used 2.1 Guitars 2.2 Effects pedals 2.3 Amplifiers 2.4 Other 3 References 4 Inspiration

[edit] Influences

Lissack cites some of his major influences as Radiohead, Suede, The Smashing Pumpkins, New Order, The Smiths, Prince, Weezer, Escaflowne, David Gray, and late-90s Trance music.^[1]

[edit] Musical Equipment used

[edit] Guitars

• Fender Telecaster – Lissack's main guitar. An American Cream model, with a black scratchplate that features an array of Pokémon stickers.
• Fender Telecaster – White, white scratchplate, maple fretboard, several Family Guy badges on strap.
• Fender Telecaster – White, white scratchplate, rosewood fretboard.
• Fender Telecaster Custom – Black, maple fretboard, 2 humbucking pickups, flashing LED lights on scratchplate. Used on "Uniform" live. Features the unusual modification of a childrens toy fitted next to the guitar's pickups, which produces a series of futuristic sound effects when activated from a switch on the scratchplate. These sounds are picked up by the guitar's humbuckers and are amplified as normal.
• Gibson Les Paul – Sunburst. Used in the studio for "Uniform". Not seen live.
• Epiphone SG – White, used earlier in the band's career.
• Fender Jaguar – Blue, tortoise shell scratchplate, used earlier in the band's career.
• It has also been suggested that he has an affinity for multicoloured fake Stratocasters.

[edit] Effects pedals

Russell uses a variety of guitar effects live and in the studio, so many that it is difficult to track exactly which are used at any given point. From eye-witness accounts/interviews it has been suggested that he uses the following effects

• BOSS DD-6 Delay (Four in a series rig)
• BOSS DD-5 Delay.
• BOSS DD-3 Delay.
• BOSS DS-1 Distortion.
• BOSS DS-2 Turbo Distortion.
• BOSS PS-5 Super Shifter.
• BOSS PW-10 Wah – Not used live.
• BOSS SYB-5 Bass Synthesizer.
• BOSS TR-2 Tremolo.
• BOSS TU-2 Tuner.
• Dunlop Cry Baby Wah.
• Digitech Whammy-Wah XP-100
• Electro-Harmonix Big Muff.
• Ernie Ball 6165 Stereo Volume/Pan Pedal.
• Electro Harmonix POG Guitar synthesizer pedal.
• Ibanez Weeping Demon Wah pedal.

[edit] Amplifiers

• Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

[edit] Other

• E-Bow

[edit] References

[edit] Inspiration

• Jonny Greenwood
• Matthew Logan
• Prince
• James Chorley

Bloc Party  v • d • e
Russell Lissack | Gordon Moakes | Kele Okereke | Matt Tong
David Searston | Mat Coleman | James Chorley
Discography
Studio albums: Silent Alarm | A Weekend in the City
EPs: Bloc Party EP | Little Thoughts EP | Two More Years EP
Remix albums: Silent Alarm Remixed
Singles: "She's Hearing Voices" | "Little Thoughts" | "Helicopter" | "Tulips" | "So Here We Are" | "Banquet" | "The Pioneers" | "The Prayer" | "I Still Remember" | "Hunting for Witches"