Silkworm (Tim Midyett)
For the second episode of our 2026 series, Jeremy and Sean were joined by Tim Midyett, bassist and co-vocalist of the legendary Silkworm. Formed in Missoula, MT in 1987, bandmates and songwriting partners Midyett, Joel RL Phelps and Andy Cohen sought their fortunes in Seattle in 1990, where they would quickly recruit powerhouse drummer Michael Dahlquist. After an early run of brilliant albums, lengthy tours and a burgeoning recording relationship with Steve Albini, Phelps departed the band in 1994. The remaining members would continue as a trio, signing to Matador for 1996's Firewater and 1997's Developer. The later-90s and early-'00s would see them sign to Touch & Go Records, with each member eventually migrating to Chicago as they adjusted to the realities of life and careers outside of being in a perennially cult-favorite rock band. Dahlquist and two friends were tragically killed in an automobile crash in July of 2005, ending the band's incredible 18-year, nine-album run. Chokes!, a posthumous EP featuring Dahlquist's final recordings, was released the following year while Cohen and Midyett would go on to form Bottomless Pit and several other beloved individual projects. Silkworm would tentatively reunite (with Phelps returning in an official capacity for the first time since 1994) for a tribute performance at Albini's memorial service in 2024, which opened the door for their widely-acclaimed recent series of shows featuring Songs: Ohia/Mint Mile vet Jeff Panall on drums. We are enormous fans and are incredibly excited to be bringing them out for this year's fest.
While not all of it is readily available, a large swath of Silkworm's discography is up at https://skwm.bandcamp.com/music [https://skwm.bandcamp.com/music] and Comedy Minus One has been doing yeoman's work to get vinyl reissues for their out-of-print records in circulation, most recently with last year's excellent 2LP rerelease of Developer (originally issued on Matador Records).
This episode features clips from "(I Hope U) Don't Survive" from 2002's Italian Platinum and "Bar Ice" from 2006's Chokes! EP.
Details and support options for the Electrical Audio Foundation's effort to operate the recording studio/cultural institution as a non-profit are available at https://www.electricalaudio.org/ [https://www.electricalaudio.org/]
Tim is also involved with the wonderful Letters To Santa charity, which organizes fundraising events and Christmas gift-giving drives for families in poverty. You can find more information at https://www.letterscharity.org/ [https://www.letterscharity.org/]
Couldn't You Wait: The Story of Silkworm is available at https://buy.couldntyouwait.com/ [https://buy.couldntyouwait.com/]
Lay It Down In Full View: Collected Writings On Silkworm and Their Music is available at https://shop.comedyminusone.com/products/silkworm-lay-it-down-in-full-view-book [https://shop.comedyminusone.com/products/silkworm-lay-it-down-in-full-view-book]
Midyett Premium Rub, an excellent choice for all your meat and veggie-grilling needs, is available at https://midyettpremium.com/ [https://midyettpremium.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13812128583&gbraid=0AAAAADruIeA0NupH24Myt9ElowyuoaLAT&gclid=CjwKCAjw8arQBhB9EiwAfIKdQiqlAVpW3IhBgJ9xIVgmiL6Nsk2WjfcxoLEE4ximFJAxkwgMRmgCyxoCVsoQAvD_BwE]
Presented by Wax Trax Records
