Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks is an alternative rock group from Portland, United States, active since 2000. The band centres on Stephen Malkmus, who sings and plays guitar, and has also included Joanna Bolme on bass and vocals, Mike Clark on keyboards, and a rotating cast of drummers including Janet Weiss, John Moen, and Jake Morris. Other members associated with the group include Heather Larimer.

Background

The group forms almost immediately after Pavement enters hiatus in 1999. Malkmus is already known as the lead singer and principal songwriter of Pavement before starting this project. The Jicks make their live debut at New York’s Bowery Ballroom only a few weeks before the release of their first album.

Recordings

The band’s first album is Stephen Malkmus, originally carrying the working title Swedish Reggae. It is followed by Pig Lib in 2003, Face the Truth in 2005, Real Emotional Trash in 2008, Mirror Traffic in 2011, Wig Out at Jagbags in 2014, and Sparkle Hard in 2018. The debut appears on Matador Records. Some of the songs on the first record are proposed Pavement songs from before that band ends.

Pig Lib has a looser and darker feel than the debut, and the band sounds more settled playing together. Face the Truth is credited only to Malkmus; much of it is recorded by him alone in his basement, although every Jicks member plays on at least one track. Mirror Traffic follows after Janet Weiss leaves and Jake Morris joins on drums.

Live work and changes in membership

For several years, the group does not perform Pavement songs live. That changes at a show in Milwaukee in May 2003, when the band opens with “Summer Babe” and then plays a full set of Pavement material in the order those songs originally appear. Fans refer to this performance as the Milwaukee Show. The Jicks also support Radiohead on its North American tour for Hail to the Thief.

Bob Nastanovich, Pavement’s auxiliary percussionist, acts as the band’s manager in the early period. John Moen later leaves to join The Decemberists, and Janet Weiss, known for Quasi and Sleater-Kinney, joins before leaving in 2011. Jake Morris, previously of Joggers, then takes over on drums. The group continues as a Portland-based alternative rock act.