Daniel Johns
| Daniel Johns | |
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 Daniel Johns performing at the Big Day Out 2008 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Daniel Paul Johns |
| Also known as | Young Modern |
| Born | 22 April 1979 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | Alternative rock, Electronica, Art rock, Grunge |
| Occupations | Musician, Songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bass |
| Years active | 1992-present |
| Labels | Atlantic, Eleven |
| Associated acts | Silverchair, The Dissociatives |
| 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 vocalist, composer, guitarist, and pianist, best known as 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.[1]
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Career
Johns grew up in Newcastle, 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 15 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 2002, Johns provided proof of his true genius through his multi-faceted performance on Silverchairs' fourth release, Diorama.
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]
Personal life
In late 1997, during the Freak Show tour, Johns experienced depression.[5] When the band's next album, Neon Ballroom, was released in early 1999, it was obvious to the public that something went wrong. After rumors that he was suffering from a drug addiction/eating disorder, Johns decided to clear the air and gave an interview with Rolling Stone Australia to finally explain that he had developed anorexia nervosa. At his thinnest, Johns claims that he weighed less than 50 kilos, or 110 pounds. With Neon Ballroom came the single "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" about Johns' battle with anorexia. Further confirmation came in 2005, when Johns spoke at length to ABC interviewer Andrew Denton and revealed that at one point he had considered death.[6] After recording Diorama, Daniel was diagnosed with a rare but serious case of Reactive Arthritis. It was confirmed that he is one of the small percentage of people who are genetically predisposed to the condition. After rigorous treatment in L.A., he was able to tour shortly with the band in the minute-sellout 'Across the Night' Tour. He has had no known remission of the arthritic symtoms.[7]
In July 2007, Johns unwittingly created a scandal after he claimed, on national youth 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 all listened to a demo tape of Silverchair's new album Young Modern. Ecstasy victim Anna Wood's father Tony Wood suggested that Garrett submit to a drug test,[8] 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.[9]
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.[2]
Daniel is also known for his Animal Rights support. A devoted vegetarian, and for many years before his arthritic illness vegan, 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
Over the years, Daniel Johns has gone through many changes lyrically. He owns a diverse range of guitars, and each guitar he uses live is in a unique tuning for different songs. He has also used a wide range of amplifiers,. Johns has been a long time player and was an endorsee of PRS Guitars until the late 1990s. He had previously used Custom 22 and 24 models exclusively but made the change to play other guitars, including his most notable; Gibson Les Paul Custom. He has continued to play a wide range of different guitars, including guitars by Fender, Gibson, Chim Rickels, Tupelo Hardware Store and Rickenbacker.
Daniel Johns' current tour guitars include:
- Gibson Les Paul Custom - Daniel's main guitar since the late 90's. Used in Open C#m tuning.
- 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 Daniel's 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, used for the songs "Tuna In The Brine", "Across The Night" and "Luv Your Life".
- Effects
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- 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.[10]
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 Australian Performing Right Association.[11][12] Johns, on his own, also won Songwriter of the Year.[12] Silverchair have won 21 ARIA awards to date.
References
- ↑ "The Twenty-Five Most Underrated Guitarists.". Rock & Roll Daily. Rolling Stone. 10 January 2007. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/10/01/the-twenty-five-most-underrated-guitarists/. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ↑ "Band: Silverchair". Long way to the top. ABC. http://www.abc.net.au/longway/artist_index/silverchair.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ↑ "Biography". Official Silverchair Website. http://www.chairpage.com/biography/. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ↑ killyourstereo (2008-12-19). "Daniel Johns Producing The Scare's New Album". http://www.killyourstereo.com/news/10/2302/daniel-johns-producing-the-scares-new-album/. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ↑ "Silverchair Resurrected", Dose (Canwest Publishing Inc), 10 July 2007, http://www.dose.ca/music/story.html?id=e5407299-ffc4-4cf3-b309-29f3eb8caa02&k=9104, retrieved 27 April 2010
- ↑ Sams, Christine (6 June 2004). "Anarexia almost killed me: Daniel Johns". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/05/1086377186083.html. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ↑ "What comes COX", The Age (Fairfax Media), 8 December 2002, http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/07/1038950234406.html, retrieved 27 April 2010
- ↑ "Garrett pressured to take drug test". news.com.au. 10 July 2007. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22048087-2,00.html. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
- ↑ Donovan, Patrick (10 July 2007). "Johns extinguishes spot fire after dopey joke". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/dans-dopey-joke-sparks-spot-fire/2007/07/09/1183833431746.html. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
- ↑ Modenguitars.com
- ↑ "Previous Winners Song of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/APRASongoftheYear/PreviousWinners.aspx. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "2008 Winners - APRA Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2008Winners.aspx. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
External links
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