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Artist News
Berman disbands Silver Jews to fight dad
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 29 January 2009
The frontman of cult indie band Silver Jews, David Berman, has announced that he has split up the band, which he originally formed with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich of Pavement in 1989, cancelling all forthcoming tour dates, so that he can devote his time to telling the world how much he hates his dad.
This is not just teenage rebellion (not least because Berman is 42). His father is Washington-based lobbyist Richard Berman, described by US TV documentary series ’60 Minutes’ as “Dr Evil”, and who has fought against consumer, animal welfare and environmental groups in the interests of his clients in the food, alcohol and tobacco markets.
Writing on the Silver Jews message board, Berman Jr said: “Now that the Joos are over I can tell you my gravest secret. Worse than suicide, worse than crack addiction: My father. You might be surprised to know he is famous, for terrible reasons. My father is a despicable man. My father is a sort of human molester. An exploiter. A scoundrel. A world historical motherfucking son of a bitch (sorry Grandma)”.
He continued: “A couple of years ago I demanded he stop his work. Close down his company or I would sever our relationship. He refused. He has just gotten worse. More evil. More powerful. We’ve been ‘estranged’ for over three years. … He props up fast food/soda/factory farming/childhood obesity and diabetes/drunk driving/second hand smoke”.
“He attacks animal lovers, ecologists, civil action attorneys, scientists, dieticians, doctors, teachers. His clients include everyone from the makers of Agent Orange to the Tanning Salon Owners of America. He helped ensure the minimum wage did not move a penny from 1997-2007!”
Speaking about his decision to change his career, the musician said: “This winter I decided that the SJs were too small of a force to ever come close to undoing a millionth of all the harm he has caused. To you and everyone you know. Literally, if you eat food or have a job, he is reaching you…”
“Previously I thought, through songs and poems and drawings I could find and build a refuge away from his world. But there is the matter of justice … The desire for it actually burns. It hurts. There needs to be something more. I’ll see what that might be”.
You can read more about Richard Berman here.
