Chris Joannou

Chris Joannou
Joannou in Wagga Wagga as part of Rock'N'Ride in January 2013
Background information
Born	(1979-11-10) 10 November 1979 Newcastle, Australia
Genres	Art rock, hard rock, grunge
Instruments	Bass guitar
Years active	1992–present
Associated acts	Silverchair, The Mess Hall

Christopher John Joannou (born 10 November 1979) is an Australian^[1] musician, best known as the bassist for the Newcastle-based alternative rock band Silverchair. His real name is Christophoros John Joannou, and he was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, he has a twin sister and an older sister. He has a nephew and two nieces. 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. Chris' bandmate Ben Gillies taught him how to play bass guitar, making him the only Band member who did not initially know how to play an instrument.

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 and Ampeg 810 cabinet and a new Ampeg B15 combo in his live set-up.

In 2006 Joannou spoke at the launch of a mental health scholarship set up to honor his cousin Nathan Trepezanov who had committed suicide at the age of 21 in January of that year.^[2]

Business Ventures

Joannou is a co-founder and co-owner of the Beer company Lovells Lager.^[3] He is also one of four businessmen who will open a bar and small entertainment venue on Parry Street in the West End of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Current plans are for doors to open in December 2013.^[4]

References