John Hassall (musician)
Encyclopedia
John Hassall is an English musician and bassist
for The Libertines
. He now performs with his own band, Yeti
. He has been described by Dirty Pretty Things
bassist Didz Hammond
as "...a fucking class bass player. Top grade. Top drawer."
, where he attended lessons with Johnny Borrell
of Razorlight
(who claims to have been in The Libertines' line-up at one point), Hassall joined a band and ended up playing bass. 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. It is said that Doherty was intrigued by Hassall not only for his talent but because he had 'proper' equipment. To play the drums on their first recording session, the trio hired Paul Dufour. Hassall 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. The band has since reformed and was a "Special Guest" at the Reading/Leeds Festival on August 28, 2010. According to both Barât and Doherty, The Libertines plan to play live and possibly record again in the near future.
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
for The Libertines
The Libertines
The Libertines were an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât and Pete Doherty . The band, centred on the song-writing partnership of Barat and Doherty, also included John Hassall and Gary Powell for most of its recording career...
. He now performs with his own band, Yeti
Yeti (band)
Yeti are an English rock band, founded in 2004 by John Hassall, of The Libertines. Hassall met Brendan Kersey, Andrew Deian and Mark Underwood through mutual friends, and the line-up was completed when drummer Graham Blacow responded to a classified advertisement...
. He has been described by Dirty Pretty Things
Dirty Pretty Things (band)
Dirty Pretty Things were an English band fronted by Carl Barât, a member of The Libertines. The formation of the band was announced in September 2005, after a dispute between Barât and Pete Doherty led to the breakup of The Libertines in 2004. Barât had worked with Vertigo Records and had...
bassist Didz Hammond
Didz Hammond
David Jonathan Hammond , better known as Didz Hammond, is an English bassist. He was the bassist and backing vocalist in The Cooper Temple Clause , and in Carl Barât's Dirty Pretty Things...
as "...a fucking class bass player. Top grade. Top drawer."
Early life
He has said that when he discovered the Beatles at age 13 was the first time he fell in love. He went on to buy their entire discography in chronological order.The Libertines
While at Highgate SchoolHighgate School
-Notable members of staff and governing body:* John Ireton, brother of Henry Ireton, Cromwellian General* 1st Earl of Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice, owner of Kenwood, noted for judgment finding contracts for slavery unenforceable in English law* T. S...
, where he attended lessons with Johnny Borrell
Johnny Borrell
Johnny Borrell is an English guitarist and singer, currently the frontman of the band Razorlight.-Early life and career:...
of Razorlight
Razorlight
Razorlight are a UK based indie rock band formed in 2002. They are primarily known in the UK, having topped the charts with the 2006 single "America" and its parent self-titled album, their second...
(who claims to have been in The Libertines' line-up at one point), Hassall joined a band and ended up playing bass. He played in various bands for a few years, but none of them worked out until he met Pete Doherty
Pete Doherty
Peter Doherty is an English musician, writer, actor, poet and artist. He is best known musically for being co-frontman of The Libertines, which he reformed with Carl Barât in 2010. His other musical project is indie band Babyshambles...
. Doherty and Carl Barât
Carl Barât
Carl Ashley Raphael Barât is an English musician, actor and author. He was the frontman and lead guitarist of Dirty Pretty Things, and recently debuted a solo album, but is best known for being the co-frontman with Peter Doherty of the garage rock band The Libertines.-Early life:Carl Barât was...
had already founded the Libertines, but were in need of a bassist and drummer. It is said that Doherty was intrigued by Hassall not only for his talent but because he had 'proper' equipment. To play the drums on their first recording session, the trio hired Paul Dufour. Hassall 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. The band has since reformed and was a "Special Guest" at the Reading/Leeds Festival on August 28, 2010. According to both Barât and Doherty, The Libertines plan to play live and possibly record again in the near future.