is Silverchair’s second studio album, released on February 3rd, 1997 in Australia and February 4th internationally.

Studio recording began May 30th, 1996, with Nick Launay working on production and Andy Wallace handling the mixing of the tracks.

In a 1996 Q&A with fans on chairpage, Daniel Johns explained that the title and the theme of the album was inspired by the traveling freak shows of the 1940s, comparing the performers in those shows to the experience of being in a band that travels from town to town.

The album cover features Grady Stiles Jr., a sideshow performer known as “Lobster Boy,” whose rare genetic condition and life as a ‘freak’ reflected the album’s focus on feeling different, being judged and the stress of constantly having their lives on display.

Freak show marked the beginning of Silverchair’s experimentation with different sounds. While the album still features heavy, angrier sounds that defined Frogstomp , it also shows a bit of the band’s musical direction evolving.

“Cemetery” introduced “zeppelin-esque” string arrangements by Jane Scarpantoni, adding an orchestral feel to the song, while “Petrol and Chlorine” featured Indian percussion and string instruments like Tampura, Tabla and Sitar, creating a sound that stood out from the rest of the album.

Freak Show was nominated for the 1997 ARIA Music Award for Best Group and it debuted at number one on the charts in Australia, and number 12 in the U.S.