Daniel Johns

Daniel Johns
Daniel Johns performing at the Big Day Out 2008
Background information
Birth name	Daniel Paul Johns
Also known as	Young Modern
Born	(1979-04-22) 22 April 1979 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Genres	Alternative rock, electronica, art rock, post-grunge
Occupations	Musician, singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano, drums, bass
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Atlantic, Eleven
Associated acts	Silverchair, The Dissociatives, I Can't Believe It's Not Rock
Website	http://www.chairpage.com
Notable instruments
Fender Telecaster Deluxe, Rickenbacker, PRS Custom 24, Gibson Les Paul Custom, Gibson SG

Daniel Paul Johns (born 22 April 1979) is an Australian musician, singer, songwriter, 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, practising for over four hours a day after school.

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 and Diorama in 2002.

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. Johns and Mac 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 rumours 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 Johns 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 Johns was named as producer of the forthcoming The Scare album.

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. According to a post on Peachy Pictures Facebook wall, filming took place on the Norfolk Islands and was completed in October 2011.

In 2012 he wrote and collaborated with the Australian Chamber Orchestra to produce the soundtrack "Atlas" for Qantas Airlines. The commercial began airing a week before the 2012 Olympics. Johns is quoted as saying "When Qantas first approached me, I agreed to the project as I was really into the idea of creating a piece of music that represented Australia. I wanted it to sound big, something special. It was a conscious effort to create a good piece of music and not just a jingle. I've also wanted to work with the Australian Chamber Orchestra for a long time now so it was great to finally be able to do that."

Johns is currently in the process of producing his debut solo album. As of May 2013, the album's release is unknown. Also, it is speculated that Johns may use material from the unfinished sixth album Silverchair was working on prior to their "indefinite hibernation."

Personal life

In late 1997, during the Freak Show tour, Johns experienced depression. This was amidst rumours that he was suffering from a drug addiction/eating disorder, during which 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.

After recording Diorama, Johns 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. 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, 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.

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. 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. In 2009 the couple had moved from Australia to New York City so she could expand her modelling career. By July 2011, the couple were living together in Newcastle. In April 2012 it was announced that the two separated a couple of months ago. It was said that Johns initiated the split.

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.

Equipment

Guitars

Daniel Johns' current tour guitars include:

• Gibson Les Paul Custom – C#-G#-C#-G#-C#-C# tuning. Used for the songs "Emotion Sickness", "Paint Pastel Princess", "Spawn Again" and "Without You"
• Fender 1972 Telecaster Deluxe – Black Finish. Used for all songs in standard tuning, such as "Young Modern Station" and "Ana's Song (Open Fire)".
• Fender 1972 Telecaster Deluxe – Natural Wood Finish. Used for all songs in standard which require a capo, most notably "Those Thieving Birds/Strange Behaviour/Those Thieving Birds Part 2".
• Rickenbacker 330/12 semi-hollow 12-string – Used in standard tuning for "The Greatest View" and "World Upon Your Shoulders".
• Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 – Emerald Green finish. One of Johns' original guitars. Now used in dropped-D tuning for "The Door". The guitar was once owned by Page Hamilton of the band Helmet.
• Paul Reed Smith McCarty Standard – Black finish. Used since the Freak Show era, and now for songs in E-B-G-D-A-B tuning such as "The Lever" and "One Way Mule".
• Gibson SG Heritage – Tuned half a step down for "Straight Lines".
• Maton EM325C semi-acoustic – Sparkle finish. Used in an unusual tuning of F-C-G-D-G-D^{[citation needed]}, used for the songs "Tuna in the Brine", "Across The Night" and "Luv Your Life".

Effects

• DigiTech Whammy
• Boss DD-20 Delay
• Boss TU-2 Tuner
• Boss OC-2 Octave
• Boss GE-7 Graphic EQ

• Electro-Harmonix Micro Synthesizer
• Soldano footswitches
• Radial Loopbone 2
• Radial Big Shot Mix
• Little Lehle Switcher

Amplifiers

Johns first used Marshall JCM 900 amplifiers for Frogstomp, but by the time of Freak Show, switched to Soldano Hot Rod heads. Until 2005, Johns was using Marshall cabinets, however, he has changed this setup. He now uses Hiwatt Hi-Gain cabinets with his Soldano amps. He also uses Vox amplifiers in the studio.

Awards and nominations

• 2008 Song of the Year and Most Played Australian Work APRA Awards for "Straight Lines", written by Daniel Johns and Julian Hamilton, was presented by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Johns, on his own, also won Songwriter of the Year.
• Silverchair has won 21 ARIA awards to date.

External links

• Daniel Johns at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Silverchair website