Silver Jews are an American indie rock group, formed in 1989 by writer David Berman along with Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Sometimes regarded as a Pavement side project (Pavement drummer Steve West has also been a member of the band), in fact "The Joos" were formed before Pavement, and 1996's The Natural Bridge featured none of the Pavement musicians, offering listeners a more sedate album without the inimitable influence of Stephen Malkmus' guitar and vocals. Silver Jews wer(show more)

Silver Jews are an American indie rock group, formed in 1989 by writer David Berman along with Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Sometimes regarded as a Pavement side project (Pavement drummer Steve West has also been a member of the band), in fact "The Joos" were formed before Pavement, and 1996's The Natural Bridge featured none of the Pavement musicians, offering listeners a more sedate album without the inimitable influence of Stephen Malkmus' guitar and vocals. Silver Jews were always a conduit for David Berman's brand of sardonic, countrified indie rock, and Berman has remained the only constant member.

The band has gone on to release several full-length albums, including the latest Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea, released 2008 (Drag City). Berman's sophisticated lyrics have come to dominate the band's music and critical reputation. Berman had long been steadfast in his almost complete refusal to play live, and so surprised the indie world when he embarked on the Silver Jews tour of the United States, Europe, and Israel in 2006. Currently, the band are on the European leg of their 2008 tour.