Daniel Johns reveals Silverchair ex-bandmates’ snub

Daniel Johns reveals he was privately rebuffed by both of his former Silverchair bandmates in a candid new interview.

Australian music legend Daniel Johns opens up about some of the dramatic events of the past few months in a new docuseries out today.

Episode one of Inside The Mind Of Daniel Johns, a three-part docuseries, premieres at 6pm (AEST) today on YouTube.

Quotes released ahead of the series’ premiere indicate Johns will speak candidly about the personal difficulties surrounding the release of his recent chart-topping solo album FutureNever.

Johns revealed that he asked his former bandmates Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou to play on the album, but that they both declined the request.

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Johns (centre) said he asked bandmates Chris Joannou (left) and Ben Gillies (right) to play on his new album – but they said no.

“I asked them not out of necessity, I asked them because I wanted to make it clear that I don’t have an issue with them as people – I just didn’t want to play under the banner of Silverchair,” Johns said.

The former Silverchair frontman has made no secret of his distaste for reforming the band that made him a household name back in 1994, selling more than 10 million albums worldwide before going on indefinite hiatus in 2011.

“I wouldn’t even get Silverchair back together for a million dollars with a gun to my head,” he said on last year’s successful podcast Who Is Daniel Johns?

Speaking in the new docuseries, he said his former bandmates had made it clear they did not want to contribute to his solo work.

“Once I’d established myself as an artist outside of Silverchair, I asked them to come again and then when they didn’t want to, I didn’t care. It was like, ‘I asked you, it’s cool, I’ll play the drums with spatulas,’” he said.

Elsewhere in the series, Johns opens up about the dramatic events surrounding the release of FutureNever, which came out while he was in rehab after pleading guilty to high-range drink driving that resulted in him crashing his car.

He thanked his supporters for making the album a success, even while he was unable to promote it as he took care of his health.

Johns’ new album topped the charts …

… while he was in rehab and facing legal troubles. Picture: Peter Lorimer

“For probably the first time in my life, I’ve sacrificed the art for both my physical and mental health. I had a nervous breakdown, I really f***ed up. I’ve been processing pain and guilt,” he said.

“I’m going on the record now to talk about the dark but also the light. This is a healing journey, but I also need to talk about the music because it’s the only thing that pulled me through.”

Johns publicly announced on March 24 that he’d been in a car accident the day before, after becoming “lost” while on the road, and that he’d been suffering from “panic attacks” recently.

“Alongside my therapy, I’ve been self-medicating with alcohol to deal with my anxiety and depression. I know this is not sustainable or healthy,” he wrote at the time.

“I have to step back now as I’m self-admitting to a rehabilitation centre and I don’t know how long I’ll be there. Appreciate your love and support as always.”

Johns, seen here in 2015, revealed recently that he’s retired from live performance. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

In an April update from rehab, Johns told fans that he was only now understanding the severity of his drinking problem.

“My drinking had become a bigger problem than I even realised, and how I have used it to help numb a range of deeper psychological issues that I’ve been living with since childhood. Some of these issues you know, and a lot cut much deeper. Alcohol is not medicine. I should never have treated it like it was. I feel like a complete f**k up and I’m sorry,” read the note, which was transcribed from a phone call with Johns in rehab.

Along with the new docuseries, Johns today announced that an “art experience” called “Past, Present & FutureNever” will run in Melbourne from August 26 to October 9. The career-spanning exhibition will showcase personal memorabilia from his earliest days in Silverchair to his current album.