When someone mentions the band Silverchair, your first thought or memory will vary depending on where you're from. People in the U.S. and Europe may only remember Silverchair as a few kids who skyrocketed to stardom in 1994 after their first album, Frogstomp. Thanks to such hit songs as "Tomorrow" and "Israel's Son," the Australian trio, consisting of singer/guitarist/songwriter Daniel Johns, drummer Ben Gillies and bass player Chris Joannou, became international superstars when they were only fifteen years old.

Since 1994, the last decade has been a mix of trying tests and triumphs for Silverchair. Battles with extreme fame at an early age, an eating disorder, and a case of reactive arthritis kept the band mostly grounded in their home continent Australia. But despite these setbacks, Silverchair managed to pass the time by repeatedly making hit records and racking up more #1 albums than any other Aussie band including AC/DC, Midnight Oil and INXS.

Silverchair's latest album, Young Modern, is their first new record in 6 years, and the tour supporting it will be their first U.S. tour in over a decade. Even though Silverchair was in the middle of launching their U.S. tour, Daniel Johns and Chris Joannou found a little time to do a quick interview with us. They were humble, candid and even funny. Enjoy...

Where have you guys been? Silverchair hasn't toured the U.S. in over a decade. What made you want to come back?

CHRIS: It has been some time since we have done any lengthy tours in the States. The fact that we can now tour behind our new album, Young Modern is our reason for coming back. We are really excited to getting there and playing for you guys!

We've read reports of Silverchair's bassist Chris Joannou doing a "bass walk” live on stage. What exactly is this legendary move? Will U.S. fans finally get to see it in person? Does anyone else in the band have any fancy stage moves you wanna tell us about?

CHRIS: I'm not 100% sure what my "bass walk" is but I'm flattered that now its become legendary! I'll make sure i make no changes to my moves for the upcoming U.S. shows.

Do you guys want to do anything particular during your down time while you are here in the U.S.? Apparently Ben is an excellent surfer. Do you think you'll be able to hit the U.S. beaches at all this summer?

DANIEL: Ben is an excellent surfer but i don't think we are going to have much downtime to hit the beach, unfortunately.

You guys are booked to play Lollapalooza in Chicago this August. What other bands are you looking forward to seeing perform and hanging out with?

DANIEL: Arcade Fire, Pearl Jam, Bright Eyes, Iggy & The Stooges.

Silverchair has had more #1 albums than any other Australian band in history – including INXS, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil and AC/DC. Last week I heard a DJ on a New York radio station describe you as "the Beatles of Australia.” How does that make you feel?

DANIEL: Wow that's a really big call. I'm really flattered. I still cant believe we have had more #1 albums then Midnight Oil. It's amazing.

Because Silverchair has such an international appeal, do you find yourselves writing music/lyrics with specific markets in mind?

DANIEL: No.

Did Daniel get "reprimanded" for spray-painting PG4PM (Peter Garret for Prime Minister) on the stage wall after covering the Midnight Oil song "Don't Want to Be the One" at the 2006 Australian Recording Industry Association awards? Or did everyone just laugh it off?

DANIEL: There are a lot of people that think public figures shouldn't be making political proclamations but i felt as though i wasn't speaking just on behalf of myself but on behalf of a lot of people i know and even a lot of people i didn't know.

Your first album, Frogstomp, was recorded in only 9 days… while you were all still in high school! Was it awkward becoming internationally famous so fast? How did that impact your childhoods?

CHRIS: It was a little awkward at times as we were not used to all the attention that people were giving us. We were however still having the time of our lives and all we wanted to do was play our music. It was harder on Dan as the front man and his face was out there a lot more than ben and myself. We got through it all though and are still enjoying it just as much if not even more than before!

I've heard your 2002 album, Diorama, described as both a "masterpiece” because of the song construction and production, and as a "cult classic” because you were unable to tour and promote it due to Daniel's reactive arthritis. As a band, how did you handle this setback?

DANIEL: Not being able to tour for Diorama was definitely a huge disappointment. I was (and still am) really proud of that record but i also feel like the response to it was better than expected given the circumstances. It inspired me to top it with Young Modern.

	Silverchair - Young Modern (2007) To hear a song sample, click on "Listen" by that sample. 01. Young Modern Station Listen 02. Straight Lines Listen 03. If You Keep Losing Sleep Listen 04. Reflections of a Sound Listen 05. Those Thieving Birds, Pt. 1/Strange Behavior/Those Thieving Birds, Pt. Listen 06. Man That Knew Too Much Listen 07. Waiting All Day Listen 08. Mind Reader Listen 09. Low Listen 10. Insomnia Listen 11. All Across the World Listen

While searching for Silverchair videos on YouTube.com, I noticed Daniel was wearing a black headband in most of the recent clips. Is there some significance to this headband or is it just purely functional?

DANIEL: Originally it was worn as a [way] to try and emulate the success of an American [film] figure by the name of John Rambo... I stopped wearing it when I realized I looked more like Boris Becker then Rambo. Hahaha!

Have you ever thought about making Paul Mac, who has played keyboard on 3 of your albums so far, a permanent member of Silverchair?

DANIEL: Paul Mac is not only a really good friend but a great musician. We don't really feel it necessary to add him as a permanent member of the band. We all see his role as like a Billy Preston* role in the band.

As musicians, who have played the same Silverchair songs over and over again, what song is still the most fun to play live on stage? Are you sick of playing "Tomorrow"?

DANIEL: We haven't played that song since 1997.

Checkout Silverchair's web site for sound clips and tour dates: http://www.chairpage.com/

This item is available for purchase from Amazon.com When Silverchair released their first album, Frogstomp, in 1995, they were merely 15 years old. Each new album since has been a dramatic departure from the last, and the band eventually shed their sticky grunge image with 2002’s Diorama. A returning cast of producer Nick Launay (INXS, Talking Heads), mixer David Bottrill (Tool, Muse), and legendary composer Van Dyke Parks (U2, Beach Boys) coddled Young Modern - yet another completely different version of Silverchair. The lyrics are pensive, the melodies cathartic, and the music is distinctly refined. Rating: Requirements: An iPod, MP3 or CD player Manufacturer: EMI International

Everyone's Crazy - Silverchair Interview (July 2007)
http://www.everyonescrazy.com/2007/07/silverchair-interview.html