Volume #2 | How My Seven-Year-Old Self Found the Band I Needed

A personal anecdote about Australian rock band, Silverchair.

Happy Friday & Thank You!

I’ve had the best week! My brain has been in overdrive thinking about Mixtape. I’m so motivated by all of you who have subscribed, read and shared Volume #1, thanks team! The musical wordsmith in me has ignited and I can’t wait to share more.

Newsflash! If you enjoyed my notes on Missy Higgins, then you’ll be happy to know her new album The Second Act is out today. Weekend tunes sorted!

Silverchair

A Reliable Companion

Take yourself back to the mid 90’s. I was just a kid, spending time at my Grandparent’s house, always curious to stick my nose into my teenage Uncle’s bedroom. Perhaps he thought I was trying to be my usual attention seeking self, but he’d often be playing “his music” and I was intrigued. It sounded completely different from the usual music my family played (mostly Celine Dion). CD’s were all the rage and he had quite a collection sitting on his shelf.

One day, when no one else was looking and he wasn’t home, I snuck in and got a glimpse of his collection.

I’ll never forget the scent of his room - an unmistakable blend of cologne and motorbike gear. Suddenly, a sense of nerves and a rebellious rush came over me. What am I doing? This momentary childhood memory is embeded in my brain.

I didn’t get very far, mostly because I felt terribly guilty about snooping in the first place. What I do recall was the CD on top of the pile. It was white and had an image of a giant green frog. If you know, you know.

Frogstomp, Silverchair’s first album released in 1995.

I was seven years old at the time, latching onto a sound that felt badass and freakin’ cool. Throw in three cute boys with long surfer-dude hair and a wave of chart-toppers dominating my Saturday mornings on Rage (ABC) - I was hooked.

Tomorrow, Silverchair’s breakthrough single, sat at number one in Australia for six weeks.

Silverchair derived from a young music obsessed brotherhood between Daniel Johns (vocals/ guitar), Ben Gillies (drums) and Chris Joannou (bass). They grew up in Merewether, Newcastle, Australia and originally called their band Innocent Criminals before changing the name to Silverchair. As young as 12, they’d practice in Ben Gillies’ bedroom every Friday and took jamming very seriously whilst being the best of mates. Fun fact, they all loved cricket too (that’s for my husband, you’re welcome). This was the foundation of an authentic, Aussie rock success story, where fame found them - fast.

They’ve been back in the public eye over the past two years, much to the delight of old fans like me. Us 90’s kids should be grateful - our teenage years were simple compared to this trio. It’s difficult to comprehend the impact of being thrust into the spotlight as an adolescent, with girls screaming at them as if Silverchair were The Beatles. Living a strenuous life of touring the world, which was eventually influenced by drugs and alcohol - all of which has ultimately led to a fractured friendship and crippling anxiety. Wow. It’s a lot.

Yet the constant throughout all of that and what is still relevant today, is their sound.

I’ve always felt connected to their music, however, their recent storytelling has made me appreciate the tight-knit bond they had, their intelligent musicianship and individual contributions to their work overall. Where would we be without Silverchair?

That seven-year-old me who was snooping around for something I heard - thank goodness I did. It led to a reliable companion, a sound I could lean on and love.

I am certain that Silverchair are the reason I chose guitar as my first musical instrument. That tuition lasted only a year. For me, it was a difficult instrument to master and I didn’t connect with my teacher. Instead, I went on to learn keyboard like my older sister had, and violin. My younger brother took on the electric guitar, channeling his own rock influences and fostering his natural talent to make that thing sing. Guitar riffs, keyboard melodies and symphonic strings blended together between the walls of our house, in a way that closely mirrored Silverchair's evolving sound.

Silverchair would go on to release five albums between the years of 1995 - 2007. I can honestly say, I loved every single one, even when their sound evolved and we all matured. The discography has cemented its place in my life and gets a spin when I need a heavy, emotive fix. Its raw, gritty sound feels as good as ever.

‘Silverchair isn’t just a sound, it’s a feeling.’
Ben Gillies, co-author of biography Love & Pain (2023)

Music Memories |

Israel’s Son - Frogstomp (1995) |

Obviously, the iconic green frog album cover gets a mention! Israel’s Son is the first song on the album, and it’s the opening boom of this track that feels right at home for me. A deep, rumbling bass line that hits my core. The louder, the better. What a way to kick-off a debut album. It set the tone for Silverchair’s own unique sound, a menacing build-up that ends in a powerful screaming heap.

Promise me you’ll listen to Frogstomp in its entirety. Every song is worth it.

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Freak - Freak Show (1997) |

This music video still gives me chills. As a kid, I always thought that someone must have called Daniel John’s a freak, so he wrote a song about it. Whatever the message is, they own it. Headbanging, high energy and memorable.

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Miss You Love - Neon Ballroom (1999) |

We studied the film Looking for Alibrandi in high school and this song featured on the soundtrack. Naturally, I will forever associate it with a good make-out-sesh. This song is beautiful in the way it ebs and flows. Daniel Johns explained that he wanted it to be perceived as a love song but actually, it’s an anger-fuelled song about the difficulty of establishing relationships and experiencing love outside of family.

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The Greatest View - Diorama (2002) |

The Diorama album reminds me of my sister and the many times we tried to play these songs with our own instruments. You’ll hear the finest vocals - from delicate to intense - across the most mystical lyrics.

“I don’t want to be lonely, I just want to be alone”
“Chained a waterfall to burned and withered skin”

The Greatest View hit new heights for the band because of their blended sound. When an orchestra meets a rock band, it’s electric. I spent hours trying to master the lightning-fast strings melody at 2:25. These boys just kept getting better.

Straight Lines - Young Modern (2007) |

Their first number one since Freak and number two in Triple J’s Hottest 100 for 2007. I can hear you already…

“Wake me up, lower the fever, Walkin' in a straight line”

Forever remembered as one of their final acts. Salute.

Deep Dive | Silverchair

For The Musician

Watch Ben Gillies (drummer) share his knowledge and skills in this YouTube series called Behind The Beat. A fantastic resource for anyone who is learning or interested in understanding more behind Silverchair’s unique rhythm.

For The Fan

Read / Listen: Love & Pain, a biography written by Ben Gillies & Chris Joannou.

Watch: Australian Story: A Silver Lining (ABC)

What are your memories of Silverchair? Did you ever see them live?

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