Christopher Andrew Joannou (born 10 November 1979)[1] is a Macedonian-Australian musician best known as the bassist for the Newcastle-based alternative rock band Silverchair. He is a twin to sister Louise Kipa.[2] He was the first of the three band members to cut his long hair short. Joannou was nicknamed 'Lumberjack' by Silverchair fans for his love of trees, and plaid shirts. His bandmate Ben Gillies taught him how to play bass guitar.
Chris Joannou | |
|---|---|
 Joannou as part of Rock'N'Ride in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 10 November 1979 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | Art rock, hard rock, grunge |
| Instrument | Bass guitar |
| Years active | 1992–present |
As well as being a well known bassist, Joannou was the assistant producer for The Mess Hall albums Feeling Sideways and the ARIA award-winning Notes From A Ceiling.
He has used mainly G&L and Fender Precision Basses, and almost exclusively uses Ampeg B-15 Portaflex combos. As reported to gearwire.com, Joannou uses an Ampeg SVT-2 into an Ampeg 810 cabinet and a new Ampeg B-15 combo in his live set-up.
In 2006, Joannou spoke at the launch of a mental health scholarship set up to honour his cousin, Nathan Trepezanov, who died by suicide at the age of 21 in January of that year.[3] Joannou is of Macedonian heritage.[4]
Business ventures
editJoannou is a co-founder and co-owner of the Lovells Lager beer company.[5] He is also one of four businessmen who opened a bar and small entertainment venue on Parry Street in the West End of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, which opened in December 2013.[6]
References
edit- ^ Larkin, Colin (27 May 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958 – via Google Books.
- ^ GREEN, PENELOPE (16 February 2015). "Twin talent for business". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "AM - Mental health research scholarship launched". abc.net.au.
- ^ Penelope Green, Chris Joannou's parents return to the family fold and open a laundrette in Newcastle. Newcastle Herald, Feb. 12 2016, .
- ^ "Sydney Confidential Silverchairs Chris Joannou drinks lovells lager at awards". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "Hip city bar scene about to overflow". The Herald.