David Berman has recorded four albums as Silver Jews; his latest is Bright Flight, on Drag City. He currently resides in Nashville, TN, and says "No tour. Never have. Never will."
Current fixations:
Gatorade, Jimmy Martin's voice, the selected poems of Russell Edson.
Mind-altering work of art:
Mark Tansey's paintings.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Dinosaur Jr. in Amsterdam 1987. I didn't know who they were, there were ten people in the audience, I was high as fuck and they killed me.
What has been your career high and low?
High: Getting drunk and playing music with Guy Clark.
Low: Getting drunk and playing music with Bob Nastanovich.
What should everyone shut up about?
Jennifer Lopez. Look into her eyes to see the abyss.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Amy Fisher.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Like: keep my word.
Dislike: laziness.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Band: consorting with the enemy.
Bed: attempted rim job.
When I think of Canada I think:
of Calgary
What is your vital daily ritual?
Washing my feet.
How do you spoil yourself?
With drugs.
What was your most memorable day job?
Working at the morgue in Charlottesville, VA.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
A small town cop.
What is your greatest fear?
Other people's vomit and shit.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Faith healing.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Hard candy and modern art.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Yes there's a difference. You know the difference.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Bob Nastanovich taking a shower with Henry Rolllins after a show.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Bill Clinton. Enchiladas.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Strapping a baby into the car seat in the back of my company car.
Current fixations:
Gatorade, Jimmy Martin's voice, the selected poems of Russell Edson.
Mind-altering work of art:
Mark Tansey's paintings.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Dinosaur Jr. in Amsterdam 1987. I didn't know who they were, there were ten people in the audience, I was high as fuck and they killed me.
What has been your career high and low?
High: Getting drunk and playing music with Guy Clark.
Low: Getting drunk and playing music with Bob Nastanovich.
What should everyone shut up about?
Jennifer Lopez. Look into her eyes to see the abyss.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Amy Fisher.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Like: keep my word.
Dislike: laziness.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Band: consorting with the enemy.
Bed: attempted rim job.
When I think of Canada I think:
of Calgary
What is your vital daily ritual?
Washing my feet.
How do you spoil yourself?
With drugs.
What was your most memorable day job?
Working at the morgue in Charlottesville, VA.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
A small town cop.
What is your greatest fear?
Other people's vomit and shit.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Faith healing.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Hard candy and modern art.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Yes there's a difference. You know the difference.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Bob Nastanovich taking a shower with Henry Rolllins after a show.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Bill Clinton. Enchiladas.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Strapping a baby into the car seat in the back of my company car.