Countrified indie rock: David Berman brings Silver Jews to Crofoot in rare concert appearance

Often mentioned in the same breath as 1990's cult alt band Pavement (because the group was formed in 1989 by Stephen Malkmaus, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West - all of Pavement), the Silver Jews are much more than a side project or an offshoot. They are whatever David Berman wants them to be.
 
Formed in Hoboken, New Jersey, the Silver Jews have always been a vehicle for Berman's sardonic, countrified indie rock, and Berman has remained the only constant member. He is also a published poet. His collection Actual Air was published in 1999 and received favorable reviews from The New Yorker and GQ.

The band has released several acclaimed albums, including Starlite Walker, The Natural Bridge and the latest Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea, out this summer on Drag City.

Berman's literate songwriting skills lyrics are a highlight of the band's quirky music, though he has long been steadfast in his refusal to play live. But he shocked the indie nation when he embarked on a Silver Jews tour of the United States, Europe and Israel beginning in 2006. The band resume the U.S. leg of the huge tour this month, with a stop on Sunday (Aug. 31) at the Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac. Doors are at 8 p.m. Be prepared to navigate your way through a crowd: the Arts, Beats & Eats Festival will be going full throttle right outside the venue.