Daniel Johns Recalls The Moment He Knew Silverchair Wouldn’t Last

With his new solo album quickly approaching, Daniel Johns continues to open up to fans about past struggles, today revealing that previously documented health issues in the lead up to Silverchair’s Diorama ultimately shifted his view of the band.

Johns has shared footage of the band’s epic 2002 Big Day Out concert, tagging the post with “trigger warning - this gets dark but I feel safe sharing it here”.

The singer revealed he was “experiencing unbearable pain” in his joints, pointing out you can see him “struggling” in the Big Day Out footage of the band performing The Greatest View live for the first time in Australia.

“Looking back I think the anxiety of how [Diorama] would be received as well as the toll that my battle with anorexia had previously taken on my immune system combined to attack me,” Johns said.

“I was later diagnosed with reactive arthritis. A specialist advised me to said goodbye to my family every night before bed because he thought I might die.”

Johns revealed that it was at that time he “realised that much of the Silverchair machine was more of a business than a family” and that he felt “personally responsible” for members of their crew who couldn’t work because of his illness.

“While I was undergoing exhaustive treatment both here and abroad, I learned very quickly who loved me as a human being and who needed me a ‘performer’,” he added.

“I really needed a friend back then, instead I had disgruntled colleagues. When my phone did ring it was usually someone asking if I was ready to tour again.

“Someone in the team even questioned whether I was sick at all and that ‘maybe I just didn’t want to promote the album and I should be forced to tour instead of being ‘mollycoddled’ at home’. Like who the fvck wanted Diorama to be more successful than I did?

“For years I was advised not to go deep about any of this but someone very wise once told me that ‘the truth is beautiful’.

“I’m not resentful, I understand everyone was under pressure and the band was putting food on many tables but this was too much to put on me. I was 22.

“After undergoing months of treatment in Los Angeles, I slowly recovered and word of mouth around Diorama would help it become our highest selling album at home. Take that Frogstomp.

“We played some magical ‘comeback’ shows. I’d gotten my life back but if I’m honest from this point I never really felt Silverchair would last.”

The post follows news earlier this week that his new album, FutureNever, was being delayed from April 1 until April 22 so he could finalise a Van Dyke Parks collaboration, Emergency Calls Only, for inclusion.