Young Legionnaire are a British post-hardcore band made up of Paul Mullen (guitarist and singer for The Automatic and formerly yourcodenameis:milo), Gordon Moakes (bassist for Bloc Party), and drummer Dean Pearson.
In 2006, Mullen and Moakes met during a collaborations project called Print Is Dead, the idea being bands would go up to the YCNI:Milo studio in Newcastle and spend no longer than one day writing and recording a song for a record. While recording the track "Wait A Minute" they came up with the idea of working together again, although commitments with their other bands had meant that they did not have time to. When yourcodenameis:milo went on hiatus in 2007, Mullen joined The Automatic as a guitarist and vocalist, with Moakes continuing with Bloc Party.
With Bloc Party on hiatus and The Automatic taking some time off in December 2009, Moakes and Mullen convened with drummer William Bowerman. In January 2010, the group were revealed to be named "Young Legionnaire" and they played their first show at the end of January in London. On the 16th of August 2010, the band released their first single, the double A Side "Colossus/Iron Dream" on both limited edition vinyl and digitally on Holy Roar Records. William Bowerman was replaced with Dean Pearson in 2010 as Bowerman's schedule as touring drummer for La Roux took priority.
It was revealed in early 2011 that the band would be releasing their debut album Crisis Works on May 9, 2011 through Wichita, produced by longtime producer of Mullen's other band The Automatic - Richard Jackson. Album track "Chapter, Verse" was made available on the bands website as a free download after being premiered on Zane Lowe BBC Radio 1 show. The band were announced also as the support for Les Savy Fav, as well as making appearances at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.
