Yishai Romanoff
| Yishai Romanoff | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Yishai Yitzchak |
| Also known as | Yishai Na Nach |
| Born | 1986 Long Island, New York |
| Genres | Jewish rock, punk rock, reggae |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, guitarist, drummer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, drums, percussion |
| Years active | 2007-present |
| Labels | Shemspeed, Shabasa |
| Associated acts | Moshiach Oi!, Blanket Statementstein, RockaZion, Shin Shin Mem |
| Website | moshiachoi |
Yishai Romanoff (born 1986) is an American Hasidic musician, best known as the lead singer for the Breslov punk band Moshiach Oi!. Romanoff, as well as the rest of the band, is featured prominently in the 2012 documentary Punk Jews. He is also a drummer for Shabasa labelmates Blanket Statementstein, RockaZion, and Shin Shin Mem.
Romanoff was born in 1986 on Long Island. His father was a secular Jew, while his mother was an atheist who converted to Orthodox Judaism. He attended a Modern Orthodox yeshiva at a young age. Frustrated with the yeshiva's rules and strictures, he left and began going to public high school. During his teenage years, Romanoff became a fan of punk rock, following bands like Leftöver Crack and F-Minus and going to shows at CBGB and ABC No Rio. He also dabbled in drugs, smoking marijuana daily and developing a heroin addiction.
Later on, Romanoff took trips to Israel with Birthright Israel and Young Judaea, which left him curious about his heritage. With the help of his friend Mike Wagner, he ultimately kicked his drug addiction and renewed his commitment to Judaism.
In 2008, Romanoff, wanting to reconcile his love of punk with his newfound faith, began writing and recording Jewish-themed punk songs under the name Moshiach Oi!. Initially a solo project, Moshiach Oi! became a full band with the addition of Wagner on guitar, Mitchell "Mordechai" Harrison on bass, and Paul "Pesach" Alpert on drums. The group's debut album, Better Get Ready, produced by Wagner and mastered by Don Fury, was released by Shemspeed and Shabasa in 2009. A second album, This World is Nothing, was released independently in 2011.
...
Wikipedia