Silver Jews
| Silver Jews | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Country rock, indie, alt-country |
| Years active | 1989–2009 |
| Labels | Drag City |
| Associated acts | Air Miami, Ectoslavia, Government Issue, Lambchop, New Radiant Storm King, Pavement, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Palace, Rites of Spring, Scud Mountain Boys, Tim Chad and Sherry, Super Bowl Rocket Ship |
| Members | |
| David Berman Cassie Berman |
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| Past members | |
| Tim Barnes Pete Cummings Tony Crow Duane Denison Doug Easley Jill Fantauzza Mike Fellows Matt Hunter Brian Kotzur Paz Lenchantin Dan Mackta Stephen Malkmus Davis McCain Rian Murphy Bob Nastanovich Paul Niehaus Will Oldham Peyton Pinkerton Andra Sherman Chris Stroffolino William Tyler Steve West J. D. Wilkes Azita Youssefi Tayna Small |
Silver Jews was an indie rock band from New York City, formed in 1989 by David Berman along with Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman remained throughout and was the only constant member. During the last few albums, Cassie Berman became a regular member of the band. They disbanded in 2009.
Contents |
[edit] Background
[edit] Early years
Though often labeled as a Pavement side project, Silver Jews were actually formed at roughly the same time as Pavement. Berman has falsely quoted the band's name originating from the transcription of a billboard that he saw reading "Silver Jewelry", although he has stated in an interview that the name was actually intended to be a pseudonym for a conceptual art piece and later evolved into the actual band.[1] Others claim, however, that the name pays homage to Silver Apples, The Silver Beatles, and slang for blonde-haired Jewish people.[2]
[edit] Touring
Though Berman had avoided playing live for most of the band's existence, the Silver Jews embarked on their first-ever tour following the release of Tanglewood Numbers in 2005. They toured North America, Europe, and Israel in 2006. A documentary, titled Silver Jew, was filmed during the band's time in Israel.
[edit] Breakup
On January 22, 2009, Berman announced via the official Drag City messageboard that he planned to retire from music and that the Silver Jews would play their final show on Bluegrass Underground at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, Tennessee at 3 pm on January 31, 2009.[3][4] The caverns are located 333 feet underground, and only 300 general admission tickets were made available. Berman stated that he would play his 15 favorite Silver Jews songs. He also wrote that his intentions are to move to "screenwriting or muckraking".[4] He closed the entry by saying, "I always said we would stop before we got bad. If I continue to record I might accidentally write the answer song to 'Shiny Happy People'."[5]
Berman originally planned for the concert to be recorded and aired sometime in February 2009 on Nashville's famed WSM AM radio station;[4] however, the day before the show, Berman posted on the Drag City message board to say that he had "negotiated out of the WSM part out of the deal."[6] The concert was documented by several 16 mm film cameras, and Berman has hinted at a possible DVD release of the show at some point in the future.
The last song that the Silver Jews performed live was "Smith and Jones Forever."
[edit] Post-Silver Jews Projects
Brian Kotzur (drummer) is the front man/drummer for Tim Chad and Sherry and also plays drums for Super Bowl Rocket Ship.
William Tyler plays guitar for Tim Chad and Sherry as well.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Starlite Walker (1994) LP/CD
- The Natural Bridge (1996) LP/CD
- American Water (1998) LP/CD
- Bright Flight (2001) LP/CD
- Tanglewood Numbers (2005) LP/CD
- Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea (2008) LP/CD
[edit] EPs
- The Arizona Record (1993) CD/12"
- Tennessee (2001) CD/12"
[edit] Singles
- "Dime Map Of The Reef" (1990) 7"
- "Silver Jews And Nico" (1993) split 7" with New Radiant Storm King
- "Send in the Clouds" (1998) CD/7"
- "Hot as Hell" (1999) CD/7"
[edit] Filmography
- Silver Jew (2007)
[edit] References
- ^ http://raford.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/silver-jews-thursday-exclusive-interview-wdavid-part-i/
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p41541
- ^ http://bluegrassunderground.com/2008/12/its-hard-to-find-a-friend-the-silver-jews-are-so-underground/
- ^ a b c Pitchfork Media article: "Silver Jews David Berman calls it quits".
- ^ Drag City Messageboard posts by David Berman
- ^ Drag City messageboard thread with posts from David Berman (username DCB): "final show".
[edit] External links
- Silver Jews website.
- Drag City: Silver Jews
- The Corduroy Suit, a comprehensive unofficial Silver Jews website
- Silver Jews on MySpace
- An Interview with David Berman at About.com
- Silver Jews' Dave Berman interview at musicOMH.com
- Interview with David Berman
- "From a Texaco Sign", PopMatters interview (11/2005)
- Interview at Cool Beans - reprint at Acetone Magazine (English-Spanish)
- David Berman interview on MonsterFresh.com
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