Silkworm (band)

Last updated
Silkworm
Origin Missoula, Montana, U.S.
Genres Indie rock
Years active19872005, 2024
Labels
Spinoffs Bottomless Pit
Past members Matt Kadane
Ben Koostra
Joel RL Phelps
Andy Cohen
Michael Dahlquist
Tim Midyett
Website www.silkworm.net

Silkworm was an American indie rock band active from 1987 to 2005 whose core members were Tim Midyett, Andy Cohen, and Michael Dahlquist.

Contents

History

Origins: 1985–1987

Founding members Tim Midyett (formerly Midgett), Joel RL Phelps, and Andy Cohen began writing and performing under the name Ein Heit in Missoula, Montana from 1985 to 1987. In 1987, they adopted the name Silkworm. [1]

Relocation: 1987–1990

They relocated to Seattle in 1990, where they met drummer Michael Dahlquist. [2] During a radio interview on WNUR at Northwestern University, Steve Albini called in to contact the band. Albini had attended Hellgate High School, the same high school that Phelps, Midyett, and Cohen attended in Missoula, Montana. This connection led to Albini recording the band's album In the West . [3] Phelps left the band in 1994 due to mental health issues and the rigors of touring. [4]

Matt Kadane of Bedhead and The New Year played keyboards on Italian Platinum and It'll Be Cool .

Breakup: 2005

Drummer Michael Dahlquist was killed on July 14, 2005, when his car was rammed from behind. [5] Friends Douglas Meis (Exo, the Dials) and John Glick (Returnables) were also killed in the crash. [6]

Later projects: 2005–present

After Dahlquist's death, Midyett and Cohen went on to form Bottomless Pit.

A feature-length documentary, Couldn't You Wait? The Story of Silkworm, was released in February 2013, featuring interviews with Jeff Tweedy, Steve Albini, Stephen Malkmus, Gerard Cosloy, Clint Conley, and others. [7]

A remastered and expanded 2x12" + CD edition of the third Silkworm album Libertine including the group's "Marco Collins Sessions" and two additional tracks was issued by the label Comedy Minus One in May 2014. [8]

On July 27, 2024, the band reunited for a tribute concert after Albini's sudden passing. The lineup was Midyett, Cohen, and Phelps (playing with the band for the first time since leaving in 1994), with Jeff Panall of Songs: Ohia & Mint Mile on drums.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

Singles and EPs

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<i>Libertine</i> (Silkworm album) 1994 studio album by Silkworm

Libertine is the third full-length studio album by indie rock band Silkworm. It was released in 1994 on El Recordo. It was their last recorded release before guitarist/vocalist Joel RL Phelps left the band.

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Developer is the fifth full-length studio album by indie rock band Silkworm, released in 1997. It was their second and final album released on Matador Records before they moved to Touch and Go.

<i>Firewater</i> (Silkworm album) 1996 studio album by Silkworm

Firewater is the fourth full-length studio album released by indie rock band Silkworm. It was engineered by Steve Albini, who worked on most of the band's albums and singles. The album was recorded and released two years after guitarist/vocalist Joel RL Phelps left the band, leaving the remaining members to record the album as a trio. It was the band's first album released on Matador Records.

<i>Blueblood</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Silkworm

Blueblood is the sixth full-length studio album by indie rock band Silkworm, released in 1998. Unlike other Silkworm releases, it was not recorded by their long-time engineer Steve Albini, though he is credited with mixing the record. It is the band's first album released on Touch and Go Records.

<i>Lifestyle</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Silkworm

Lifestyle is the seventh studio album by the American indie rock band Silkworm. It was released on August 8, 2000, by Touch and Go Records, their second on the label.

<i>Italian Platinum</i> 2002 studio album by Silkworm

Italian Platinum is the eighth full-length album released by American indie rock band Silkworm. It is the band's third album released on Touch and Go Records. Like their previous album Lifestyle, Steve Albini and his girlfriend Heather Whinna recorded and produced the album respectively. Matt Kadane from Bedhead and The New Year played keyboards on this album.

<i>Itll Be Cool</i> 2004 studio album by Silkworm

It'll Be Cool is the ninth and last full-length album released by indie rock band Silkworm before drummer Michael Dahlquist was killed in a car wreck. Released on September 14, 2004, it was the band's fourth album on Touch and Go Records. The album was recorded by Steve Albini. Matt Kadane from Bedhead and The New Year played keyboards on the album.

<i>In the West</i> 1994 studio album by Silkworm

In the West is the second full-length album by indie rock band Silkworm, released in 1994. It was the band's first full-length album to be produced by their long-time friend Steve Albini; the first official recording that the band recorded with him was the His Absence Is A Blessing EP.

References

  1. Powell, Mike (2014-05-02). "Silkworm: Libertine Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  2. Midyett, Tim (April 17, 1997). "Tim's History of Silkworm" . Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  3. Morris, Chris (January 8, 1994). "Uke-ing out a living; Silkworm turns to hometown inspiration". Billboard Magazine . Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  4. Laugher, Nick (April 24, 2014). "Overcoming Addiction and Making Albums with Joel RL Phelps". Vice . Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  5. "Michael Dahlquist 1966-2005". Touch and Go Records. July 18, 2005. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  6. Ritchie, Al (9 September 2005). "Rock 'n' remember". Isthmus: 24.
  7. Cohan, Brad (April 11, 2013). "Go Inside the Silkworm Legacy". MTVHive.com. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  8. "Details on & preorders for the Silkworm 2×12" + CD "Libertine" reissue". Comedy Minus One. 9 April 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2014.