Silkworm w/ The Kyle Sowashes @ Spacebar May 7

SILKWORM is a storied and beloved rock band, revered among many of those in the know. From western 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 richly distinctive, influential albums and "a bunch" of singles, EPs, and compilations over an eighteen-year period, as well as touring worldwide in North America, Europe, and Asia, notably playing every state in the continental USA except Delaware.

Joel R.L. Phelps founded Silkworm in 1987 and left the band in 1994. Andy Cohen, Tim Midyett, and Michael Dahlquist continued on as a trio for many prolific, creatively fertile years thereafter. The group disbanded immediately–and apparently permanently–upon Michael’s horrific murder in July 2005.

In late July 2024, the surviving band members realized they would be in the same place at the same time–at a weekend-long memorial for their longtime engineer Steve Albini. They decided to reunite officially for a short set there to pay tribute to their dear friend. 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 rewarding. The four of them discussed trying to regroup for some additional events...which led them to poking at the best possible options for doing so...which brings them to Spacebar, Columbus OH.

JOEL R.L. PHELPS - Telecaster, vocals

ANDREW COHEN - lead guitar, vocals

TIMOTHY MIDYETT - bass, vocals

JEFF PANALL - drums

Kyle Sowash has been toiling in the fields of Everyman Indie Rock since a period the archeologists now describe as “the 90s”. Singing songs about the highs & lows of the day-to-day, Mr. Sowash and his band of namesakes have put a melody to the mundane. Backed by a who’s-who of stalwarts from the Columbus, OH indie scene, his newest album unapologetically rocks.

Sorry, the caps lock wasn’t on. I said it ROCKS. With ringing power chords that would make Mitch Mitchell (from GBV, not the Experience) shit a brick* and a rhythm section that cracks like thunder off the Great Plains, The Kyle Sowashes have delivered another polyvinyl chloride testimony to the healing power of fist-pumping.

-Mike Postalakis
*-Sounds scary.Consider changing.