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.

After a quite successful summer and fall of shows in the central US in 2025, they are setting out on tour in May (central/eastern US) and August (western US) of 2026.