Daniel Johns

Daniel Johns

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.

Career

Johns grew up in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. He began to sing as a child, and his mother realized his talent one day while she was carrying in the groceries. His interest for classical music started when he was seven. 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.

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 2002 he was ready for the release of what he regarded as his band's masterpiece, Diorama. In 2003, he went on hiatus from Silverchair.

Johns has worked in several side projects, notably in The Dissociatives and "I Can't Believe It's Not Rock" with dance musician, Paul Mac. 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 titled 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.

Personal life

Johns moved out of his family home when he was 18. He and his bandmates were privately tutored until they received their high school diplomas. Johns has two younger siblings, brother Heath and sister Chelsey.

In late 1997, during the Freak Show tour, Johns was diagnosed with clinical depression. He appeared thinner and thinner, and on advice from his therapist, moved out of the family home into a loft unit to try to take a break and recover from the stress of making music. However, for the first half of 1998, he spent little time outside the house and became increasingly withdrawn, his imposed seclusion having the opposite effect as was intended.

When the band's next album, Neon Ballroom, was released in early 1999, it was obvious to the public and the press that Johns was dangerously thin. After rumors that he was suffering from a drug addiction, 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 and inner feelings struggling with the condition. Further confirmation came in 2004, when Johns spoke at length to ABC interviewer Andrew Denton and revealed that at one point he had considered suicide.

By 2002, Johns appeared to have recovered from his internal trauma; however, just as his album was due for release Johns was struck down by a severe and rare case of reactive arthritis. His joints became inflamed and locked up, and with any movement being painful, he could no longer play guitar or do everyday tasks. He spent most of 2002 unable to perform. It was feared that he may not be able to perform for years, if at all, as the disease takes many months to recover from, and sometimes returns after many years. Still unable to play for extended periods, he performed again in October 2002 at the ARIA awards ceremony. His recovery proceeded apace, allowing Silverchair to perform an extended Australian, European and North American concert tour.

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, 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. 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." Johns hasn't been seen with any other partner since his divorce in 2008.

In July 2008, The Daily Telegraph announced Johns was dating Australian model, Louise Van der Vorst.[2]

Equipment

Over the years, Daniel Johns has gone through many changes in his equipment. 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, both live and in the studio.

Guitars

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 8000, and Rickenbacker.

Daniel Johns' current tour guitars include:

• Gibson Les Paul Custom - Daniel's main guitar since the late 90's. Used in C# tuning. [3]
• 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. [4]
• Rickenbacker 330/12 semi-hollow 12-string - Used in standard tuning for "The Greatest View". [5]
• 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. [6]
• Paul Reed Smith McCarty Standard - Black finish. Used since the Freak Show era, and now for songs in dropped-B tuning such as "The Lever" and "One Way Mule". [7]
• 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".

Amplifiers and Effects

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.

Johns uses a large variety of pedals. His current pedalboard consists of:

• 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

External links

• Official Silverchair website