Lissack grew up in Chingford and went to Bancroft's School in Woodford, Essex. He then studied Sociology at London South Bank University, dropping out weeks before graduation so he could tour with Bloc Party.
He is a committed vegetarian, and once appeared in Vegetarian Magazine to talk about his Christmas dinner, which he likes 'traditional, with a Quorn fillet to replace the meat'. He also wrote an article for the online magazine Slush Pile about the difficulty of finding vegetarian food while touring.[2]
Lissack cites some of his major influences as Manic Street Preachers, Suede, Blur, Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins, New Order, The Smiths, Prince, Weezer, the anime series Escaflowne and late 1990 trance music.[3] Guitar influences include Jonny Greenwood ofRadiohead, Prince and Graham Coxon of Blur who are users of the Fender Telecaster.
In an interview, Kele from Bloc Party stated that Russell used to play guitar in an Ash tribute band.[4] Kele jokingly adds that, as Russell was playing lead guitar, he filled the role of Charlotte Hatherley. He has since been approached by Tim Wheeler to join Ash as a touring guitarist in 2010.[5]
Lissack also plays with Milena Mepris in 'Pin Me Down' who released a single, 'Cryptic' through French label Kitsune in 2008. 'Pin Me Down' released their debut album "Pin Me Down' on April 19, 2010.
Russell is currently accompanying Ash on their UK tour, whilst Bloc Party are on hiatus.
On the 30th September 2010, Russell got bitten by a lion cub as he visited a sanctuary in South Africa on Ash's tour with the Parlotones and was taken to hospital for treatment.[6]
[edit]Musical equipment
[edit]Guitars
- Fender Telecaster – Lissack's main guitar; used in almost all live songs. An American blonde model with a black pickguard that features an array of stickers, including Pokémon andDisney characters. The strap is covered with countless badges, including the one that the Spanish band TvToys gave him on Bloc Party's last concert in Madrid. Also, Russell received a badge featuring the image of 60's rock 'n' roll icon Jim Morrison, given to Lissack via an encounter from an Australian fan in 2008. He claims this to be his favourite badge.
- Fender Telecaster - Blueburst, black pickguard, maple fretboard. Seen on Later with Jools Holland. First used for Signs.
- Fender Telecaster - White, white pickguard, maple fretboard, several Family Guy badges on strap.
- Fender Telecaster - White, mint green pickguard, rosewood fretboard. Probably a Fender 60's Classic Series Telecaster.
- Fender Telecaster - Bubble-gum pink, used earlier in the band's career, as seen in Little Thoughts video.
- Fender Telecaster Custom – Black, maple fretboard, 1 humbucker and 1 single coil bridge pickup, flashing LED lights on pickguard. Used on "Uniform" live, and seen in the Hunting for Witches video. Features the unusual modification of a children's toy fitted next to the guitar's pickups, which produces a series of futuristic sound effects when activated from a switch on the scratchplate. These sounds are picked up by the guitar's humbuckers and are amplified as normal.
- Epiphone SG – White, used earlier in the band's career.
- Fender Jaguar – Blue, tortoise shell pickguard, used earlier in the band's career.
- It has also been suggested that he has an affinity for multicoloured fake Stratocasters.
- He also uses producers' Gibsons in the studio, for example the Gibson Les Paul in Uniform
- Fender Telecaster - Black, White pickguard. Used when playing live with Pin Me Down
