Silverchair’s Frogstomp hit like a shockwave. Released on 27 March 1995, the album propelled three 15-year-olds from Newcastle, NSW, to global stardom, selling nearly three million copies worldwide. Lead single ‘Tomorrow’ became 1995’s most-played song on American modern rock radio, topping both Billboard’s modern rock and album rock tracks charts.
This clip from the 1997 ABC Recovery special, From Frogstomp to Freakshow, captures Silverchair at a turning point. Host Dylan Lewis brings his trademark surreal energy, met by Daniel Johns’ dry wit, Ben Gillies’ enthusiasm, and Chris Joannou’s steady presence as the band's designated driver.
The segment, shot in a moving car, reflects Recovery's rough-edged, unfiltered style and reveals a band eager to move forward. They joke about the Frogstomp frog being ‘overrated’ – a nod to their evolving sound and the weight of early success.
Silverchair interviewed by Dylan Lewis on From Frogstomp to Freakshow, broadcast 22 November 1997, ABC TV. NFSA title: 332382
This clip shows the band performing ‘Tomorrow’ at Newcastle’s Cambridge Hotel in June 1995. Shot in semi-darkness with chaotic camera angles, it reflects the raw, unfiltered energy that made Frogstomp such a force:
Silverchair perform 'Tomorrow' on From Frogstomp to Freakshow, broadcast 22 November 1997, ABC TV. NFSA title: 332382
By the time they released Freakshow in 1997, Silverchair had outgrown the ‘Nirvana Jnr’ comparisons, pushing their music into darker, more theatrical territory. That restlessness defined their career, leading to 21 ARIA wins from a record-breaking 49 nominations before they officially disbanded in 2011.
Frogstomp remains a defining Australian rock album. The raw energy that made it a phenomenon still resonates, a snapshot of a band on the edge of something bigger.
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Main image: This promotional photo of a youthful Silverchair from c. 1995 is a good reminder that they were only teenagers when they became famous. Image by Murmur Records. NFSA title: 1600075
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