SILKWORM is a storied and beloved rock band, revered among those in the know. From Montana by way of Seattle and Chicago, “the Worm” is the subject of an upcoming book (Lay It Down in Full View), a feature-length documentary (Couldn’t You Wait: The Story of Silkworm), and gratifyingly detailed essays across a variety of publications both print and online. Most importantly, the band released nine distinctive, influential albums and “a bunch” of singles and EPs over the course of a long, creatively fertile existence.

Silkworm was founded in Missoula, Montana in 1987 by Joel R.L. Phelps (guitar/vocals). Joel was joined immediately by fellow founding member Andrew Cohen (guitar/vocals), very shortly thereafter by Tim Midyett (bass/baritone guitar/vocals), and, after their three years in the Montana wilderness and upon landing in Seattle, by a brother from another zip code, Michael Dahlquist (drums).

The original Silkworm quartet played together for four years, touring a lot and releasing various 7″ singles, an EP, and three albums, including seminal postpunk releases In the West and Libertine, both of which have been reissued in recent years by Comedy Minus One Records.
In 1994, Joel left the group. Silkworm continued on as a trio. The band toured incessantly over the course of a tenure with Matador Records, releasing the totemic records Firewater and Developer (now reissued on Comedy Minus One), and they ended up moving to Chicago eventually, where they joined forces with Touch and Go Records for four broadly acclaimed albums (all presently in print).

The band was in the middle of making their next album when Michael was tragically killed on July 14th, 2005. Silkworm disbanded immediately amid the devastation of Michael’s loss. A truncated version of their final record appears as the Chokes! EP months later, first as a CD on the 12XU label, later reissued on vinyl by Comedy Minus One.
In late July 2024, the band regrouped at an epic weekend memorial to pay tribute to their dear friend and faithful facilitator Steve Albini. Jeff Panall (Songs: Ohia and Tim’s band Mint Mile) joined them on drums.
The experience of playing together as a quartet for the first time in thirty years (!) was highly emotional and richly rewarding. The four of them discussed regrouping for some additional events…which lead them to poking at the best possible options for doing so…which brings them to Gonerfest.