The highs and lows of being Daniel Johns

Words: Andrew McMillen Producer: Bianca Farmakis

Interviews with Daniel Johns have been exceedingly rare since his world-famous band Silverchair disbanded in 2011. So when he offered to share a few quiet drinks on a weekday afternoon, the answer was yes.

Ahead of the release of his second solo album FutureNever – an ambitious set that might up-end everything you think you know about his music – Johns presented as happy and as open to journalistic inquiry as possible.

I do not want to

“ Daniel Johns “ Video: Instagram | Daniel Johns

But looks and words can be deceiving. In mid March, Johns crashed his car, leading to the driver and passenger of the other vehicle needing medical treatment. Johns was uninjured but had a blood ­alcohol reading over three times the legal limit. Video: The Nine Network

Johns has spent almost 30 years in the fierce glare of the spotlight, first as a teenage rock star. At times, he’s learnt to poke fun at unwanted attention. For most of his life, though, his image has sold beyond his control; his story told time and again with little agency.

But as his fame grew, Johns lost himself.

Once, millions of fans around the world thrilled to the alternative rock sounds created by Johns, drummer Ben Gillies and bassist Chris Joannou – three Newcastle locals who were 15 when they recorded their debut album, Frogstomp.

WHO IS DANIEL JOHNS?

That’s why the podcast Who is Daniel Johns? was so important to him. It thrust Johns’ artistry back toward the spotlight for perhaps the first time since Silverchair’s last hit, Straight Lines . It offered a compelling portrait of the harsh effects of fame on a young star. Image: Instagram | Daniel Johns

Fame contorted his body like a funhouse mirror, resulting in his anorexia battle. It distorted his mind in dangerously self-destructive ways, although he was bold enough at the time to become one of the few famous Australian males willing to discuss his mental struggles publicly.

Image: Instagram | Daniel Johns

FRIENDSHIP HIATUS

Silverchair has been on “indefinite hiatus” since May 2011, when the musicians noted in a statement that “if the band stops being fun, then we need to stop”. Friends since they were seven, the three former bandmates don’t talk much anymore; Johns likens the relationship to a divorce. Image: Instagram | Daniel Johns

We’ve never really

“ Daniel Johns “ Video: Channel [V]

Now, ensconced in his compound, Johns seemed to have everything – his music, his girl and his dog Gia. Australia’s greatest living rockstar says he doesn’t care what happens next. Whether that’s the truth, naive bravado or something in between remains unknown.

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The highs and lows of being Daniel Johns

I do not want to

live a boring life.

inspired, and I

amazing art and

want to make

amazing music.

I want to live

But as his fame grew, Johns lost himself.

WHO IS DANIEL JOHNS?

Fame contorted his body like a funhouse mirror, resulting in his anorexia battle. It distorted his mind in dangerously self-destructive ways, although he was bold enough at the time to become one of the few famous Australian males willing to discuss his mental struggles publicly.

FRIENDSHIP HIATUS

We’ve never really

healed, but I don’t

dislike them, and

they don’t dislike

me, I don’t think.

The highs and lows of being Daniel Johns

I do not want to

live a boring life.

inspired, and I

amazing art and

want to make

amazing music.

I want to live

But as his fame grew, Johns lost himself.

WHO IS DANIEL JOHNS?

Fame contorted his body like a funhouse ­mirror, resulting in his anorexia battle. It distorted his mind in dangerously self-destructive ways, although he was bold enough at the time to become one of the few famous Australian males willing to discuss his mental struggles publicly.

FRIENDSHIP HIATUS

We’ve never really

healed, but I don’t

dislike them, and

they don’t dislike

me, I don’t think.

Fame contorted his body like a funhouse mirror, resulting in his anorexia battle. It distorted his mind in dangerously self-destructive ways, although he was bold enough at the time to become one of the few famous Australian males willing to discuss his mental struggles publicly.