For many years, their was an incorrect assumption that the mysterious and often reclusive Silver Jews were more a side-project or sister act to influential indie-rockers Pavement then a fully functional independent entity. That Silver Jews actually started out before Pavement (they date back to 1989) seemed to matter little.

The fact that Silver Jews shared members with Pavement, most notably Stephen Malkmus, was a contributing factor in perpetuating the myth of SJ, but more then anything it was the release of the latter's breakthrough record, the now seminal Slanted & Enchanted, that copper fasted the idea of Silver Jews existing as but a mere hobby for Malkmus. The fact that Silver Jews rarely, if ever ventured out on the road only compounded these assumptions further.

But whatever assumptions have been made about Silver Jews have never seemed to rub off too much on the groups actual figurehead David Berman, the only member to be omnipresent throughout the near 20 year career. Though he's had to contend with depression, drug abuse and a failed suicide attempt, he's continued to write and record his uniquely shambolic take on lo-fi indie, country noir and poetic musings. Since announcing the groups first ever tour two years back Berman has acquired real cult status. That the group were able to transform their prose live was as surprising as the fact that Berman and co were touring. They play Cyprus Avenue on Wednesday, May 14.

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