Biography
Lissack grew up in Chingford, east London, and went to local private school Bancroft's School in Woodford. He met Kele Okereke there and developed a close friendship. He then studied Sociology at London South Bank University, dropping out weeks before graduation so he could tour with Bloc Party.
He is a committed vegetarian, and once appeared in Vegetarian Magazine dressed as a banana to talk about his Christmas dinner, which he likes 'traditional, with a Quorn fillet to replace the meat'. He also wrote an article for the online magazine Slush Pile about the difficulty of finding vegetarian food while touring.
Lissack cites some of his major influences as Manic Street Preachers, Suede, Blur, Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins, New Order, The Smiths, Prince, Weezer, the anime series Escaflowne and late 1990 trance music. Guitar influences include Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, Prince and Graham Coxon of Blur who are users of the Fender Telecaster.
In an interview, Okereke stated that Lissack used to play guitar in an Ash tribute band. Okereke jokingly adds that as Lissack was playing lead guitar he filled the role of Charlotte Hatherley. He has since been approached by Tim Wheeler to join Ash as a touring guitarist in 2010.
Lissack remixed Kate Nash's single, "Pumpkin Soup". Lissack has also remixed the song 'Bring 'Em Down' by Lostprophets for their 2012 studio album 'Weapons' deluxe edition, where it is featured as Track 15.
Lissack also plays with Milena Mepris in 'Pin Me Down' who released a single, 'Cryptic' through French label Kitsune in 2008. 'Pin Me Down' released their debut album "Pin Me Down' on April 19, 2010.
Lissack accompanied Ash on their UK tour, whilst Bloc Party were on hiatus.
On the 30th September 2010, Lissack was bitten by a lion cub as he visited a sanctuary in South Africa on Ash's tour with the Parlotones and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Read more about this topic: Russell Lissack
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