Remembering Silverchair As They Announce Breakup [VIDEO]

Even though the band hasn't been a big deal in the states for some time now, they are still huge in Australia. Looks like the band will join Crocodile Dundee and Men at Work in the recycle bin. Check out my favorite moments in the Silverchair discography and the details on the split right here.

Earlier this morning the band announced via their Facebook page that they were pretty much dunzo, check out the official statement:

"If the band stops being fun and if it's no longer fulfilling creatively, then we need to stop. Therefore after much soul searching we wanted to let you know that we're putting Silverchair into 'indefinite hibernation' and we've decided to each do our own thing for the foreseeable future. This means that Silverchair won't be making music together or playing shows any time soon. It also means that the three of us won't be working together unless and until it feels right again. We want to thank you for all your support in good times and bad. You've put up with our long breaks between albums, our constantly changing musical styles and lots more. The unbelievable loyalty we've been shown by you our audience, and our friends, has never gone unnoticed or unappreciated."

They are dead on about "constantly changing musical styles",  when you listen to their catalog they sound like three different bands. The new material they were recording was going to be an even more radical departure from their pop-alt effort, 2007's 'Young Modern'. Rumor was that the album had a mostly electronic sound and featured no guitar, really Silverchair? I watched a live performance of one of these songs on Youtube a while back and it was like an 8 minute nightmare.

I didn't care for 'Young Modern' and cared even less that the third single to promote it was actually 'The Greatest View' from 2002's 'Diorama'. Despite all this seeing them at Lollapalooza 2007 was awesome. They didn't play any old songs aside from 'Ana's Song' but even the songs I hated on 'Young Modern' were good. This gave me hope that the band could once again be a viable rock band...I was wrong.

I have always heard that Daniel Johns is embarrassed by the band's older material, which would explain why there was a serious lack of early Silverchair selections on their setlist. Ironically, most will tell you their favorite songs are from the bands first 3 albums. Since they are now goners lets take a look at my 6 favorite Silverchair tunes.

#6. Tomorrow from 1995's Frogstomp

Not really my fav, but it was their breakout song and probably the best known as well.

#5. Anthem for the Year 2000 from 1999's Neon Ballroom

If you graduated in 2000, this was at least on the short list for class song. Despite it's dated cheesiness, still a kick ass tune.

#4. Untitled from 1998's Godzilla: The Album

Found this one on the rarities disc that accompanied 'The Best of Vol. 1'. Even though it's a pretentious move dropping a greatest hits after three records, it was a pretty good collection. P.S. There will be no Vol. 2.

#3. Ana's Song (Open Fire) from 1999's Neon Ballroom

Great song that showed the softer side of the chair and hinted at the direction of their future albums (though it was never executed as well as it was on this song).

#2. Freak from 1997's Freak Show

Really any song in the top 3 could be my favorite, but for the sake of this list I placed this ass kicker at number 2. It's just a fun and simple song that doesn't really say much at all, sometimes those are the best ones.

#1. Israels Son from 1995's Frogstomp

This is hands down their most badass tune! I am extra partial because my band used to rock the shit out of this one. It's a heavy track with some cool riffs, breakdowns, and tempo changes. An all around win in my book.

RIP Silverchair