Silverchair’s Grunge Classic ‘Frogstomp’ Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Silverchair recently commemorated the 30th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut album, “Frogstomp,” which took the Australian music scene by storm and set new standards for what young musicians could achieve. Back in 1995, this raw and riff-heavy record propelled three teenagers from Newcastle – Daniel Johns, Ben Gillies, and Chris Joannou – to instant stardom. With their hit single “Tomorrow” already reaching the top of the ARIA Singles Chart in late 1994, the release of “Frogstomp” marked a monumental moment in their career. The album debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, going platinum within a week, triple platinum by the end of the year, and eventually achieving 6x platinum status in Australia. Impressively, “Frogstomp” has now sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
To celebrate this milestone, Sony Music hosted a sold-out event at Sydney’s Metro Social, where Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou engaged in a conversation with triple j’s Richard Kingsmill. The band The Buoys electrified the audience with covers of “Pure Massacre” and “Tomorrow” before the entire album was played, showcasing its distorted and cathartic sound. Fans eagerly purchased limited edition vinyl, remastered CDs, and reissued singles, in addition to snagging rare Tony Mott prints from the Frogstomp era, available in limited quantities.
When “Frogstomp” made its way to the United States on June 20th, 1995, it immediately captured the American audience. “Tomorrow” soared to the top of Billboard’s Alternative and Rock Airplay charts, and fueled by MTV exposure, the album achieved double platinum status. The band’s first U.S. show followed the very next day, solidifying their rapid success in a new market. Described as masters of sonic sculpture by Musician magazine back in the day, Silverchair expertly wove feedback and distortion into vast soundscapes using bar-chord riffs and catchy choruses.
Reflecting on the creation of “Frogstomp,” Gillies and Joannou shared with the audience that despite its genesis in youthful chaos and urgency, the album’s impact has not waned over the years. It continues to be hailed as one of Australia’s most prominent alt-rock records, serving as a testament to the talent and vision of young musicians. This serves as a reminder that sometimes, indeed, the kids are more than alright.