Ben Gillies, Chris Joannou and Daniel Johns, collectively known as Silverchair, are currently rehearsing new songs for their third album in a space above Gillies' garage according to their official website. The band expects to be back in the studio in mid-June with producer Nick Launay.

The boys have been on a break since wrapping up their "Freak Show" tour just before Christmas. It's been summer in their native Australia, and they reportedly took advantage of the season by spending their time surfing and generally hanging out in their hometown of Newcastle.

Even though the new CD is unlikely to be out before late this year or early 1999, Silverchair won't be out of earshot. They have songs on both the "Godzilla" soundtrack and the Clash tribute album being released in the near future. The "Godzilla" track, called "Untitled", is a reportedly a waltz with a piano and cello arrangement. The song was originally scheduled for the "Freak Show" album but was scrapped half way through recording it. The band took a break from their vacation and went back into the studio with the song in February, and the tune has been considerably reworked. Godzilla premiers May 18.

As previously reported , the Silverchair song for the long awaited Clash tribute is a version of "London's Burning." Australian music journalist Christie Elliezer reports that it was recorded with engineer Wayne Connolly last year in less than 30 minutes. That album is scheduled for an August release.