Australian Story on ABC – In this second episode of the Silverchair story, the hit rock band from Newcastle is back at the top of the charts with a new album and hit single Straight Lines.
It’s been over a decade since the teenage trio exploded onto the world stage with their first song, Tomorrow, in 1995.
“It was like being in the eye of a hurricane,” says record company executive John O’Donnell. “They definitely had to grow up fast.”
The band won more ARIA awards than any other Australian band, with their five albums reaching number one. And they had huge international success.
“It’s been a hell of a ride,” says former bass player Chris Joannou. “I would say we achieved the dream. But at what cost?”
As they tour their fifth album, the relationships between band members are stretched to breaking point.
“By that stage I think I was a full-blown alcoholic”, admits drummer Ben Gillies. “It was probably the first time that drinking had infiltrated the performances…and life on tour.”
“You could feel it was going to burst and eventually it just gave way”, says tour manager Jake Denny.
This episode charts the final days of the band and the sadness when it all ends, not with a celebration but with a press release. Ben and Chris struggle to adapt to life after Silverchair.
Chris is running a restaurant when he is hit with a devastating diagnosis.
Ben confronts his alcoholism and gradually conquers his anxiety.
Now the duo have co-written a book and the process has helped them heal some of the old wounds.
“I do think it’s a miracle we survived the whole thing”, says Ben.
“Even though there’s been such unrest and tough times and difficult moments between the three of us, I still hold them very dearly”, says Chris.
Producer Ben Cheshire
Australian Story on ABC and ABC iview – Monday 25 September, 2023 at 8:00pm
Media Release – ABC
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Australian Story on ABC
