Episodes
Australian Story: A Silver Lining (Part 2) (ABC TV Monday 25 September 2023)
Australian Story: A Silver Lining (Part 2) airs Monday 25 September 2023 on ABC TV
What can we expect from this episode
In this second episode of the Silverchair saga, the Newcastle rock band has returned to the top of the charts with the single “Straight Lines” from their latest studio album.
Over a decade has passed since the teenaged trio’s 1995 breakthrough with Tomorrow.
The group’s five studio albums all debuted at number one, earning them more ARIA awards than any other Australian group. And their fame spread far and wide across the globe.
“It’s been a hell of a ride,” says former bass player Chris Joannou. In my opinion, the goal has been met. But at what cost?”
The band’s relationships are straining to breaking point as they tour in support of their fifth studio album.
“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 chronicles the band’s final days and the ensuing sadness as their career comes to an end not with a party but with a press release. It’s hard for Ben and Chris to readjust to life without Silverchair.
Chris’s life-altering diagnosis comes as he’s running a restaurant.
Ben faces his alcoholism head-on and learns to manage his anxiety.
Now that they have collaborated on a book, they are starting to move past their past differences.
“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.
These are the stories of who we are. Australian Story presents unique tales that provide an insight into Australian life with all its complexities and challenges.
Season 28 Episode 23
When can we see the episode
Australian Story: A Silver Lining (Part 2) airs Monday 25 September 2023 at 20:00 on ABC TV
Featured image credit: ABC TV