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Daniel Johns

Daniel Johns is the 22-year-old lead singer/guitarist of the Australian rock band, silverchair. When Daniel was barely 15, he and his bandmates, then 14-year-old Chris Joannau (bass) and Ben Gilles (drums), made their debut album, Frogstomp, into a multi-platinum hit with the worldwide success of their first single, "Tomorrow".

silverchair circa 1995 (left 2 right: Ben, Daniel, Chris)

Daniel developed an eating disorder between the ages of 16-19, and became an anorexic in denial. He also developed a severe anxiety disorder which grew so intense that he was afraid to leave his home for six months after the band ended touring for their 2nd album, Freak Show. He was afraid to eat in public for reasons he couldn't comprehend. Major possibilities could be that anywhere he went in Australia, he was constantly mobbed and practically attacked by fans (once a fan ripped the hair from his head to have as a souvineir). Daniel rehabilitated and got therapy for his eating disorder and got on an anti-depressant for his anxiety attacks. The drug numbs out his emotions and causes everything to feel the same to him. On their current album, Neon Ballroom (which I HIGHLY recommend you buy), the song "Paint Pastel Princess" is about being on the medication, and "Ana's Song" is about his fight with anorexia.

silverchair circa 1999 (left 2 right: Chris, Daniel, Ben)

I find Daniel's writing and history profoundly powerful and inspiring. I too, have an anxiety disorder and I really relate to his lyrics and words. He moves me in a different way and I wanted to devote a page to him so you can share with me his genius.

  • Song Snippets
    ~~"I love the way you love, but I hate the way I'm supposed to love you back."(Miss You Love)
    ~~"Intent's not as bad as the action."(Dearest Helpless)
    ~~"Maybe love was the thing holding me back from all. Maybe I'm just afraid to break my own fall."(Black Tangled Heart)
    ~~"It's 12'o'clock and it's a wonderful day. I know you hate me but I'll ask anyway. Won't you come with me to a place in a little town? The only way to get there's to go straight down. There is no bathroom and there is no sink. The water from the tap is very hard to drink." (Tomorrow)
    ~~"Body and soul, I'm a freak, I'm a freak." (Freak)
    ~~Each day ends quicker and my mind gets slower too. As my life just fades away, I wouldn't have a clue."(Petrol & Chlorine)
    ~~"Me and pain are the same. Me and shame take the blame."(The Closing)
    ~~"We are the youth- we'll take your facisim away. We are the youth, apologize for another day. We are the youth and politicians are so sure. We are the youth and we are knocking on death's door."(Anthem for the Year 2000)
  • Ana's Song
    Please die Ana
    For as long as you're here
    We're not
    You make the sound of laughter
    And sharpened nails seem softer
    And I need you now somehow
    And I need you now somehow
    Open fire on the needs designed
    On my knees for you
    Open fire on my knees desires
    What I need from you
    Imagine a pageant
    In my head the flesh seems thicker
    Sandpaper tears corrode the film
    And I need you now somehow
    And I need you now somehow
    Open fire on the needs designed
    On my knees for you
    Open fire on my knees desires
    What I need from you
    And you're my obsession
    I love you to the bones
    And Ana wrecks your life
    Like an anorexic life
  • Funny Quotes by Daniel Johns
    --"Who needs girls when you've got a dog?"
    --"Rock is the answer. Violence solves nothing."
    --"If you touch me, I swear to God I'll combust."
    --"You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."
    --"I hope I don't go to jail and get raped!"
    --"I like to raise my finger. It shows my masculine side."
    --"Put your hand up if you're a jock. Yeah, jocks- we salute you! Alright, put your hand up if you're a grunge cadet! Alright, grunge cadets win so far. Put your hand up if you're a fuckwit. Ah...we have many a fuckwit in the house tonight! Um, put your hand up if you're homosexual! Yeah! Gay pride! I'm not- I'm bi, cuz that's the cool thing to be cuz bisexual is cool...and if you'll try anything, you're trisexual!"
    --"Americans throw fucking hard stuff at my skull. Don't throw anymore. We don't want any gifts, just throw t- shirts and socks!"
    --"Girls don't like skinny guys."
    --"This is off our debut album called Stamp on Frogs."
    --"We kinda make a little fire in the middle of the room, we burn stuff in a bin and we just dance around naked." (on what silverchair does before going on- stage)
    --"Hey! You guys at the snack bar! Come back here and MOSH!"
    --"Ben's obsessed with breasts. When he can't get a girl he plays with his own, or mine if he's really bored."

    Back to Music to My Ears

    Email: JulietScullyGoo@prodigy.net