Justin Young (singer, born 1987)

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.

Not to be confused with Justin Kawika Young.

Justin Young
Justin Young at RAK Studios, London
Background information
Birth nameJustin James Hayward-Young
Born (1987-05-02) 2 May 1987
Southampton, Hampshire, England
GenresRock and roll, indie rock, folk, pop
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, piano
Years active2003–present
LabelsChess Club Records, Stiff, Columbia, Marshall Teller Records, O Genesis Records, Luaka Bop

Early life

Young was born in Hampshire, England, and grew up in the New Forest. He attended King Edward VI School in Southampton from 1998-2003 and Brockenhurst College from 2003-2005. He is a great-grandson of the prolific English painter and artist Walter Hayward-Young, who was commonly known as "Jotter".[1] The son of a film-maker, he grew up in a "musical household" and began playing music by borrowing his father's guitars.[2]

In June 2010, Young graduated from King's College London with a degree in History.[3]

Career

During his early teens Young played in various bands, including an alt-country band called The Eldora Parade and a hardcore punk band called Fashion Police Brutality.[4]

Arriving in London for University, Young began playing solo and performed regularly under the stage name Jay Jay Pistolet, appearing on bills with Florence & The Machine, Kid Harpoon and Frank Turner.

As Jay Jay Pistolet, Young released a single entitled "We Are Free" with Chess Club Records in 2007 and an EP called Happy Birthday You in 2008 through Stiff Records. He toured frequently with peers Laura Marling, Slow Club and Johnny Flynn, and opened for acts such as Okkervil River, Tilly & The Wall and Jay Reatard.[5][6]

In December 2008, 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 bandmates Freddie Cowan, Árni Árnason and Pete Robertson and gained worldwide success.

In late 2019, Young announced his side project, Halloweens, with his bandmate Timothy Lanham, also from The Vaccines.[7]

Personal life

During his early twenties, Young lived with three other musicians in Chelsea, London: Marcus Mumford and Winston Marshall of the band Mumford and Sons, and Alan Pownall of electro outfit Pale.[8] Mumford was a frequent early collaborator with Young as Jay Jay Pistolet, performing on recordings and playing in his band.[9][10]

In 2011, Young underwent three separate throat operations to treat haemorrhaging due to recurrent vocal polyps.[11]

In 2013, Young moved to New York City.

Young is a Manchester United fan.[12]

References
  1. Simpson, Dave (25 November 2010). "The Vaccines: 'We're doing everything right'". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  2. "Jay Jay Pistolet interview: River Rat Pack Tour Launch". YouTube. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  3. "News: Dripping with je ne sais quoi". King's College London. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  4. "The Vaccines". Ladygunn. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  5. "Jay Jay Pistolet – We Are Free". Discogs.com. 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  6. "Jay Jay Pistolet – Happy Birthday You E.P (CD)". Discogs.com. 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  7. "The Vaccines' Justin Young & Timothy Lanham reveal new project, Halloweens | News | DIY". Web.archive.org. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  8. Roberts, Lynn (12 March 2011). "From the archives: FFS interviews Mumford and Sons". For Folk's Sake. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  9. "SXSW-Jay Jay Pistolet – Hooked Up on Us". YouTube. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  10. "Another New One – Jay Jay Pistolet – Union Chapel". YouTube. 2 December 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  11. "The Vaccines postpone tours as Justin Young is set for third throat operation of 2011". NME. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  12. "The world's biggest sports radio station | talkSPORT". Web.archive.org. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
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