Description:
Daniel Paul Johns (born 22 April 1979) is an Australian musician, vocalist, composer, guitarist, and pianist, best known as the frontman of the rock band Silverchair. He is also part of The Dissociatives. In 2007, he was ranked at number 18 on Rolling Stone's list of The 25 Most Underrated Guitarists.
Career
Daniel Johns grew up in Merewether, New South Wales, Australia with two younger siblings. At the age of 12 Johns and school friends Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou formed a band, originally named The Innocent Criminals, practicing for over four hours a day after school.[2][3]
The band's career began when they were jus
Daniel Paul Johns (born 22 April 1979) is an Australian musician, vocalist, composer, guitarist, and pianist, best known as the frontman of the rock band Silverchair. He is also part of The Dissociatives. In 2007, he was ranked at number 18 on Rolling Stone's list of The 25 Most Underrated Guitarists.
Career
Daniel Johns grew up in Merewether, New South Wales, Australia with two younger siblings. At the age of 12 Johns and school friends Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou formed a band, originally named The Innocent Criminals, practicing for over four hours a day after school.[2][3]
The band's career began when they were just 14 years old, after a demo recording of their song "Tomorrow" won a competition by the SBS TV program Nomad. Following a bidding war between rival labels, the group signed to Sony Music subsidiary Murmur Records in 1994. The single was then picked up by radio network Triple J and their first album release was Frogstomp, in 1995.
In 1997, the band released Freak Show, followed by Neon Ballroom in 1999.
In 2003, he went on hiatus from Silverchair.
Johns then worked on several side projects, the most notable of which was The Dissociatives with dance musician Paul Mac. Daniel and Paul have worked together since Paul's 1997 remix of "Freak" and contribution of key in Neon Ballroom. In 2000 they recorded a 5 track EP, I Can't Believe It's Not Rock. The Dissociatives album was recorded in London by Johns, who contributed lyrics and melodies, and Paul Mac who contributed various other instruments and effects. A few months later, they regrouped in Sydney and Newcastle to finish off the project. The Dissociatives toured with musicians Kim Moyes on drums, Julian Hamilton on keys, and James Haselwood on bass.
In late 2005, Johns and Silverchair joined up again and put rumors of a split to rest by announcing the production of a new album entitled Young Modern. The new album was released on 31 March 2007, and was followed by the huge 'Across the Great Divide' tour with Powderfinger. On 13 June 2008 on the band's website it was reported that Daniel is working on a new side project with The Sleepy Jackson's Luke Steele, there is currently no release date for this "acoustic pop record".[1]
In December 2008 Daniel was named as producer of the forthcoming The Scare album.[4]
In May 2011, Silverchair announced on their website that the band was going into "indefinite hibernation".
In May 2011 Johns and filmmaker Josh Wakely held a talk at Tedx Sydney where they discussed a film that they are currently working on, tentatively titled "My Minds Own Melody". A video of the talk was uploaded to Youtube in June 2011[6]. According to a post on Peachy Pictures Facebook wall, filming took place on the Norfolk Islands and was completed in October 2011.
Personal life
In late 1997, during the Freak Show tour, Johns experienced depression.[8]
After rumours that he was suffering from a drug addiction/eating disorder, Johns explained in a Rolling Stone Australia interview that he had developed anorexia nervosa. Johns claimed that he weighed less than 50 kilos, or 110 pounds at his thinnest. With Neon Ballroom came the single "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" about Johns' battle with anorexia. In 2004, Johns spoke at length to ABC interviewer Andrew Denton and revealed that at one point he had considered death.[9]
After recording Diorama, Daniel was diagnosed with a rare but serious case of reactive arthritis. After treatment in L.A., he was able to tour with the band in the 'Across the Night' Tour.[10] He has had no remission of the arthritic symptoms.
In July 2007, Johns created a scandal after he claimed, on national youth radio station Triple J, that he had shared a joint with his then-wife Natalie Imbruglia, Australian Federal MP and ex-Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett, and Bono of U2 in November 2006, while they listened to a demo tape of Silverchair's new album Young Modern. Ecstasy casualty Anna Wood's father Tony Wood suggested that Garrett submit to a drug test,[11] despite Garrett's assertions that he had not touched marijuana since his twenties, and Johns countering the claim by claiming it was a joke. Johns also said that he thought it would be obvious that it was a joke, seeing as both Peter Garrett and Bono were publicly against drugs.[12]
Johns announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend, actress, singer and model Natalie Imbruglia in late 2002, and they married on New Year's Eve 2003. However, on 4 January 2008 it was announced they were divorcing, stating, "We have simply grown apart through not being able to spend enough time together."
In July 2008, The Daily Telegraph announced Johns was dating Australian model, Louise Van der Vorst.[13] In 2009 the couple had moved from Australia to New York City so she could expand her modeling career. By July 2011, the couple were living together in Newcastle.[14]
Johns is also known for his Animal Rights support. His passion for animal rights issues are apparent in the track "Spawn Again" on Neon Ballroom. He has also done various television campaigns including "Kentucky Fried Cruelty" for Peta and an IFAW commercial.
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