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Silkworm | |
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| Origin | Missoula, Montana, U.S. |
| Genres | Indie rock |
| Years active | 1987–2005, 2024 |
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| Spinoffs | Bottomless Pit |
| Past members | Matt Kadane Ben Koostra Joel RL Phelps Andy Cohen Michael Dahlquist Tim Midyett |
| Website | www |
Silkworm was an American indie rock band active from 1987 to 2005 whose core members were Tim Midyett, Andy Cohen, and Michael Dahlquist.
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]
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 .
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]
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.
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The Crust Brothers were a band formed by Stephen Malkmus and members of Silkworm. They released one album, Marquee Mark, a live recording of their December 5, 1997, show at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle, Washington.
The Mommyheads are an indie pop band who played from around 1987 through 1998, disbanded for a decade, and then reformed in 2008. Starting in New York City as the brainchild of singer Adam Cohen, the band produced a string of quirky and highly inventive releases on various independent labels, most notably Simple Machines. Their music has been compared to XTC and 80s King Crimson. They relocated to San Francisco in 1990. The band signed to Geffen Records in 1997, producing a single album for the label before breaking up in 1998. Jon Pareles from the NY Times wrote that their Geffen LP had "perfectly balanced melodies". They reunited to record a new CD in 2008 and have been active ever since.
Tar was an American post-hardcore band, formed in 1988 in Chicago. Throughout their career they released four studio albums, two extended plays, and a number of singles before breaking up in 1995. They were known for their dry sense of humor.
Joel RL Phelps is an American musician and songwriter originally from Montana, known for his work with the indie rock bands Silkworm and The Downer Trio.
Bottomless Pit is an indie rock band from Chicago. Guitarist Andy Cohen and baritone guitarist Tim Midyett, both formerly of Silkworm, formed the band with drummer Chris Manfrin of Seam and bassist Brian Orchard of .22 in 2005. Since inception the group has issued three critically acclaimed records and toured in the United States and Canada. The band also played one show in Paris to open the Villette Sonique Festival in June 2008 at the invitation of fellow Chicago-based rock trio Shellac.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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