John Hassall (musician)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = John Hassall

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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = John Cory Hassall
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1981|2|17
London, England
Origin = London, England
Instrument = Vocals, bass guitar, guitar
Genre = Alternative rock
Punk rock
Occupation = Musician, songwriter
Years_active = 1999–present
Associated_acts = The Libertines, Yeti
URL = [http://www.yetiintelligence.com www.yetiintelligence.com]

John Hassall (born 17 February 1981, London) was the bassist for The Libertines. [Citation |last=Dowling |first=Stephen |title=Britain's brightest rock hopes? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3795035.stm |accessdate=2007-09-12] He now performs with his own band, Yeti. [Citation |last= |first= |title=Interview with John Hassall |url=http://www.thisisull.com/people/jghassal.html |accessdate=2007-09-12] [Citation |last=Raftery |first=Liam |title=Yeti @ Joseph's Well |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2005/02/04/music_gig_review_yeti_200502_feature.shtml |accessdate=2007-09-12] He has been described by Dirty Pretty Things bassist Didz Hammond as "...a fucking class bass player. Top grade. Top drawer." [Citation |last=Timothy |first=David |title=Dirty Pretty Things |url=http://www.fusedmagazine.com/Past_Issues/Issue_27_-_The_Street_Style_Issue/Dirty_Pretty_Things.aspx |accessdate=2007-09-12]

Early life

Hassall was inspired to play music when he rummaged through his parent's record collection and found a copy of the The Beatles' "Revolver".Fact|date=February 2007 He has said that when he discovered the Beatles at age 13 was the first time he fell in love. [Citation |last= |first= |title=The Libertines interview |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/southampton/music/libertines_iv.shtml |accessdate=2007-09-12] He went on to buy their entire discography in chronological order, roughly two a year. He claims that if it weren't for The Beatles, he wouldn't be playing music today; their records made him pick up the guitar.Fact|date=February 2007

The Libertines

While at Highgate School, where he attended lessons with Johnny Borrell of Razorlight, John joined a band and ended up playing bass. John himself has stated that he prefers playing the bass to the guitar as he finds it to be a more "meaty" instrumentFact|date=February 2007. He played in various bands for a few years, but none of them worked out until he met Pete Doherty. Doherty and Carl Barât had already founded the Libertines, but were in need of a bassist and drummer. [Citation |last=Dowling |first=Stephen |title=Saluting the Libertines' legend |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4749448.stm |accessdate=2007-09-12] It is said that Doherty was intrigued by Hassall not only for his talent but because he had 'proper' equipment (such as a Rickenbacker bass and decent amps). [Citation |last=Despres |first=Shawn |title=Interview with the Libertines |url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/libertines-030521.shtml |accessdate=2007-09-12] To play the drums on their first recording session, the trio hired Paul Dufour. The complete Libertines played various London gigs over a 2-year period, but during the middle of 2001 Paul Dufour left for financial reasonsFact|date=February 2007 and Hassall left the band to go to college. He was hired to rejoin them on bass when they were signed by Rough Trade just before during December 2001. He continued to play with the band until they disbanded at the end of 2004. [Citation |last= |first= |title=The Libertines |url=http://angryape.com/artists/l/the-libertines |accessdate=2007-09-12] He is the son of a great archaeologist.

References

External links

* [http://www.yetiintelligence.com/ Official Yeti website]
* [http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/libertines/artist.jhtml#bio Libertines biography from MTV]

Persondata
NAME= Hassall, John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= English musician, songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH= 1981-02-17
PLACE OF BIRTH= London, England, UK
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=