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| Silverchair > Albums & Lyrics |
FORMED: 1992, Band Members:
Ben Gillies - Drums
Chris Joannu - Bass
Daniel Johns - Guitar/ Vocals
When a Newcastle garage band consisting of 14 year old boys hits the big time, people are bound to ask - is this the biggest publicity stunt in history... or are these guys for real?
In 1994, silverchair recorded "Tomorrow" - their debut single - with the help of Triple J. The original print run was 6000 copies. But when requests for the song poured into radio stations around Australia, it became a Number One song and a mini bidding war broke out over the so-far unsigned act.
They were a trio from Newcastle, taking their name from the songs "Sliver" by Nirvana and "Berlin Chair" by You Am I. On the EMI label Murmur, the band released "Frogstomp" - a garage-style album featuring songs about money, war, suicide and divorce. The album debuted at Number One in Australia and peaked at Number Eight on the USA's Billboard Chart. Other singles from the album were "Pure Massacre", "Israel's Son" and "Shade", all of which were hits in Australia.
After heavy touring, silverchair took a break. They returned with a vengence in 1997, releasing the "Freak" single. It shot straight to Number One. The "Freak Show" album that followed was heavier rock than "Frogstomp", but also presented a diverse range of instruments including strings and sitar. "Abuse Me" was a radio hit and both it and "Cemetery" reached the Top Ten singles chart in Australia. Even though the singles were released in a different order in the US, "Freak Show" made it to Number Twelve in the US.
By 1999, the members of silverchair had finished school and were ready to release their third LP. This time the songs were written exclusively by Johns. The album was titled "Neon Ballroom" to portray images of both the antique and the futuristic aspects of their music.
"Anthem for the Year 2000" was the first and most commercially successful single from "Neon Ballroom", debuting at Number Two and receiving an ARIA nomination in the "Highest Selling Single" category. It was followed by "Ana's Song", a last minute addition to the album and ARIA nominee for "Best Release". Infact, silverchair's seven ARIA nominations was the highest received by any artist that year.
Although it was never released as a single, "Emotion Sickness" was one of the most unique and personal songs of the decade - perhaps ever. It was a six minute track featuring pianist David Helfgott (on whom the movie "Shine" was based). It was songs like "Emotion Sickness" that helped make "Neon Ballroom" the most critically acclaimed silverchair record to date.
The world tour lasted eight months, ending at Sydney's Homebake festival. This was their last performance of '99 and rumours circulated that it could be their last ever. The band did, however, issue a press release stating that they are NOT breaking up...just taking a well-deserved holiday.
Rumour has it that silverchair could be recording a new album as early as October 2000. In the meantime, fans await the release of a "mystery song" which silverchair have talked about but not yet released, titled, "Without You".
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