Silverchair members survive early success

They were 14-years-old when their first album
came out in 1996.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

Let the self-destruction begin.

That’s pretty much where fame and fortune get you when you’re a teenager thrust into the celebrity spotlight. Ms. Spears, we’re looking in your direction.

However, there are exceptions to the rule with, LeAnn Rimes — who despite becoming a household name as a 13-year-old country singer has enjoyed longevity and success without public displays of dysfunction — coming to mind.

Another act that has seemingly kept it together without implosion is Australian rock act Silverchair, which emerged in 1996 to multiplatinum success on its debut effort “Frog Stomp” when its members were 14 years old.

Think back to when you were 14, and now imagine being given the label of rock star. So how did Silverchair survive where so many others have failed?

“Believe me, it’s like when you were a teenager and think you know everything and think you’re invincible,” said Silverchair drummer Ben Gillies, calling from Los Angeles. “I don’t know. That’s probably what got us through. Back when you’re 14, you think I’m grown up now and a teenager.

“But when you’ve got a few more years under your belt you can go, ‘Oh my God.’ Essentially you’re a boy, and to be doing what we did, it’s hard to imagine that we actually came through the other side.”

Adding to the inconceivability is the fact Silverchair spent the majority of 1996 touring with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“Growing up in Newcastle, our hometown, it’s a working class kind of city,” Gillies said. “We just didn’t allow ourselves to get swept away in the whole thing.”

The percussionist also says the band’s management kept them focused throughout the early years. This included finishing high school. From a musical standpoint, Silverchair, led by singer-songwriter Daniel Johns, has evolved from its post-grunge beginnings to exploring different sounds and styles.

While subsequent releases — 1997’s “Freak Show,” 1999’s “Neon Ballroom” and 2002’s “Diorama” — were bona fide hits in their Down Under homeland, the band’s American presence changed over the years. No longer the Hanson of the grunge world, the trio watched its fan base lose the pop music hanger-ons while a loyal following remained true. Also in Silverchair’s favor was the fact American critics were largely positive.

This leads us to the group’s latest effort “Young Modern,” which Gillies feels further defines Silverchair in new light.

“The way we’ve described it is it’s almost like a psychedelic pop record,” Gillies said. “There’s real pop elements in there, which is something I don’t think we’ve ever really done before.”

Considering it’s been since the turn of the century that Silverchair last toured the States extensively, Gillies said the threesome is looking forward to its return to Cleveland on Saturday at the House of Blues.

“I think we’re one of those bands that instead of trying to be the biggest band in the world, we just try to be the best at what we do,” Gillies said. “We’re not musical theater, but we’re really like trying to put on a show and be entertaining. It’s kind of like we’ve embraced being rock stars but not being arrogant. It’s just like a big party. So come to the Silverchair party.”

When asked what we can bring to this party, Gillies laughed, “Bring some streamers and a hat.”

So it’s not BYOB?

“No, it’s not bring your own booze,” quipped Gillies.

He quickly added, “Yeah, actually it is buy your own booze.”