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Silverchair “indefinite hibernation”
No, Indefinite Hibernation is not the name of the new Silverchair record. It’s the new state of the band. A sad day…
May 25, 2011
We formed Silverchair nearly 20 years ago when we were just 12 years old. Today we stand by the same rules now as we did back then … if the band stops being fun and if it’s no longer fulfilling creatively, then we need to stop.
Therefore after much soul searching we wanted to let you know that we’re putting Silverchair into “indefinite hibernation” and we’ve decided to each do our own thing for the foreseeable future.
We assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly. In fact we’ve been struggling with it for quite a while now.
Back in 2009 we went into the studio to start work on a record. Initially things were going well and as a result we did some shows in 2010 to maintain creative momentum. However, over the months that followed in the studio it became clear to us that we were moving in different directions. Despite our best efforts over the last year or so, it’s become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn’t there between the three of us at the moment.
As a result we’ve decided to put the band into ‘a deep sleep’ while we all do other things that we find more inspiring right now. This means that Silverchair won’t be making music together or playing shows any time soon. It also means that the three of us won’t be working together unless and until it feels right again.
We understand some of you may be disappointed by this news but we really see it as a liberating and positive step for us at this point in our lives.
We also want to make it really clear that this decision has been made with the best possible intentions. We’ve always tried our hearts out to make the best music we could possibly make at the time – regardless of commercial consequences.
The three of us still truly care about each other. At the moment Ben’s busy in the studio recording his own music, Chris is working on various business, musical and charitable ventures while Daniel is creating a film soundtrack and working on other musical projects. We hope you’ll continue to take an interest in our individual work over the years ahead.
In closing we’d like to acknowledge all the people ‘behind the scenes’ who’ve helped us keep this train on the tracks since we first started playing in a garage. There are too many to name but they know who they are and we truly appreciate all their love and hard work.
Above all though we want to thank you for all your support in good times and bad. You’ve put up with our long breaks between albums, our constantly changing musical styles and lots more. The unbelievable loyalty we’ve been shown by you our audience, and our friends, has never gone unnoticed or unappreciated. That’s why we wanted to tell you first.
With Sincere Thanks For Your Understanding.
Sweet Dreams.
Daniel, Ben and Chris
Perhaps there will be more music from the guys in the future (the aforementioned new material in 2010). I know we’ll see more from Daniel Johns. Whether that’s limited to film work, The Dissociatives (with Paul Mac), Hathaway+Palmer (with Luke Steele), or something different – well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
~Dan – np: Silverchair – Diorama 
Silverchair in studio / iPhone App (2010)
Per the latest Llama Appreciation Society newsletter, the boys of Silverchair – Daniel Johns, Chris Joannou, Ben Gillies – are in the studio, workin’ away:
…the provisional titles for two of the new Silverchair songs are “Machina Collecta” and “16”. Both are on the shortlist of contenders to make the set list for the Groovin The Moo and Bass In The Grass gigs during May. At this stage the band plans to play one or two newies in their set and may even rotate that slot around so they eventually get a chance to try out multiple new songs in the live environment.
“Machina Collecta” was among the first songs that came together when the band began jamming at The Grove Studios on the NSW Central Coast late last year. We could try to describe it but we probably wouldn’t do it justice. Think energy and chaos and a grinding mechanical quality and you’re on the right track.
“16” is much more melodic but in a pretty twisted way. It plays with some sounds and technologies the band has never tried before and is almost kinda … well … funky. This one first came together during one of Daniel’s trips to Tasmania where he was supposed to be recording vocals but one thing lead to another and, hey presto! Everyone’s been singing along with the chorus of this one ever since.
As we write this neither of these songs is fully recorded but both are well on the way and will almost certainly feature prominently on the new – as yet untitled – album. By the time you read this the band will be back in the studio laying down some more tracks before heading out for the May gigs. After that they’ll have a much better idea of likely release dates. At this stage all we can say for sure is that it won’t happen before October but it will hopefully happen before next March. Yes, we wish we could be more precise than that but making great music takes time and, like that paddling duck, the band is working hard no matter how it might look from a distance!
The other upcoming Silverchair moment is expected to be the launch of an iPhone app over coming months. The details of this are still a bit sketchy at press time but keep an eye on our site over coming weeks for more news on it.
Silverchair iPhone App? Yeah, ok, I’d buy it, but band iPwn Apps are usually underwhelming. Still no news on the “old news” of Daniel Johns working with Luke Steele (Hathaway + Palmer)… hopefully that hasn’t been lost…
~Dan – np: Ty Tabor – Something’s Coming
Daniel Johns + Luke Steele = Hathaway / Palmer?
Hey, Silverchair fans… check out this update (6/1/2009 news)… (click for update blog)
Silverchair & the Dissociatives frontman Daniel Johns has a new collaboration with Luke
Steele… now called Hathaway/Palmer. Yeah, I don’t understand the name either… As of now, there are no concrete plans to release the “acoustic pop” record, but Chairpage will post any news once they get it.
For people uninitiated with Daniel Johns… he and two school mates, Ben Gillies & Chris Joannou, started the band Silverchair at age 15. What were you doing at age 15?
(no, they’re not Hanson)
Silverchair grew out of their grunge & teen angst and by their third album (Neon Ballroom) started making more diverse music. Their last two albums (Diorama and Young Modern) are two of my favorite albums as of late. Daniel was also in a side project, The Dissociatives, with DJ/keyboardist Paul Mac.
Some choice Daniel Johns’ albums:
For those uninitiated with Luke Steele (like myself), apparently he’s the singer from the Australian band The Sleepy Jackson. His music seems like a good mix with Daniel’s… I’m excited for what’s to come…
From Luke Steele…
“Dan is William Hathaway and I’m Walter Palmer so it’s going to be Hathaway and Palmer,” Steele said. “It kind of started out a White Album thing because we don’t have a band, it was acoustics. And from there it kind of went a bit haywire. It’s pretty pop. I guess it’s quite low down, there’s country songs…”
~Dan – np: Mitch Hedberg – Do You Believe in Gosh?
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