Sharing Freak Show Favorites
Freak Show, Silverchair’s second album and follow-up to their explosive debut, Frogstomp, contains 13 of the bands most courageous songs. The record truly showed how they had evolved as songwriters … at just 17-years-old.
Silverchair toured feverishly in support of Freak Show, playing live in every month of 1997, all over the world. The record contained four diverse singles in “Freak,” “Abuse Me,” “Cemetery” and “The Door,” all which remain fan favorites.
As I compiled 2015’s Reflection of a Sound: 20 Years of Silverchair, one thing really unexpectedly stuck out to me — Freak Show. It was noted everywhere within the contributions I had received. It has a unique position within the bands legacy — right after the mega-debut and right before the exploratory, new direction record, Neon Ballroom.
Freak Show quick facts:
- Produced by: Nick Launay who also produced Neon Ballroom & Young Modern
- Recorded between May and November of 1996
- Recorded at Festival Studios, Pyrmont, New South Wales, Australia
- The song “Freak” was the band’s most frequent set closer through their last shows in 2010
The first official release of Freak Show was on January 31, 1997. In tribute, we take a look at what the record means to Seether frontman, Shaun Morgan, Paul Mac, Benji and Joel Maddon of Good Charlotte and the record’s producer, Nick Launay:
SHAUN MORGAN — Seether:
When Freak Show came out I was blown away. Daniel Johns is one of the greatest songwriters of our generation. I wish they’d write a new album so I can feel that incredible intimate release when I hear new music from them! We still play Israel’s Son almost every time we soundcheck.
Favorite Silverchair song?
“Freak”
Hands down. Christ, listen to our song “Remedy” and tell me that I didn’t have that song in my subconscious. It’s a shameless tribute to Silverchair.
Favorite Silverchair record?
Freak Show
PAUL MAC— Electro-pop musician, singer-songwriter & producer:
I first met Daniel in the mid 90’s. He was a bit of a fan of my techno band Itch-E & Scratch-E and asked me to do a remix for the band. The first mix I did was for “Freak” (remix for US rejects). I always thought they were incredibly funky. They made me want to dance. Daniel Johns is one of the most amazing artists Australia has produced.
BENJI & JOEL MADDEN — Good Charlotte, The Madden Brothers:
I first heard Silverchair when a bunch of kids came back from the Red Hot Chili Peppers show in high school talking about this cool Australian band that we had heard on 99.1 WHFS in DC. A girl I knew was wearing the Frogstomp album cover T-shirt with the tour dates on the back- I thought it was really cool. After first hearing their music, the thing I remember the most was thinking- wow these guys are the same age as me, maybe I could do this too.
This band was an inspiration to kids everywhere and Daniel Johns has never ceased to grow as an artist and writer. Fans will always love the Silverchair we knew, but we will always be excited to see what Silverchair we get next.
Favorite Silverchair song?
“Slave”
Favorite Silverchair record?
Freak Show and Diorama.
Most memorable Silverchair live experience?
Silverchair at the 9:30 club in Washington D.C. for Freak Show with Handsome (dudes from helmet and quicksand super group) as the opening act.
NICK LAUNAY — Freak Show Producer:
It’s worth noting that by the time they made Freak Show they had been together for eight years.
During the recording of Freak Show they were incredibly wild and young, the energy and adrenaline in the room was like the biggest sugar rush imaginable. Craziest moment: Ben climbing inside a flight case with a movie camera being pushed down the long corridor at Festival Studios by the other two crashing into walls while filming from the inside. Result: black screen, shrieking screams, major damage to the walls.
Favorite Silverchair record?
Freak Show
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