Pitchfork

Godspeed You Black Emperor! side project A Silver Mt. Zion is set to release its sophomore LP to North American consumers on October 22nd. Efrim Menuck, Godspeed founder and guitarist, formed A Silver Mt. Zion in March of 1999 in an effort to "escape some of the constraints that often accompany writing and arranging music democratically with nine musicians." But apparently, after feeling guilty for letting himself off the hook so easily, he decided to double the band's populace.

There are now six musicians in A Silver Mt. Zion, including Becky, Ian and Jessica, all trying desperately to survive in this ever-shrinking, globalized cradle of humanity without the benefit of last names. The group has also made the very wise and respectable decision of changing their bandname to the Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-la-la Band. Why not just parenthesize it like our pal (Smog)?

The record, entitled Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward, is slated for an October 1st release in the UK, and will be issued to the rest of Europe a week thereafter.

In related news, Godspeed You Black Emperor! have confirmed recording dates with Steve Albini in Chicago between their previously announced fall tourdates. Though we must concede that this information has been available to cognizant GYBE! fanatics for nearly a month via secret underground anti-capitalistic pony expresses and mailing lists. Percussionist Bruce Cawdron has noted that two likely candidates for commission to tape are "12-28-99" and "Tazer Floyd," which have received overwhelming adulation from Godspeed audiences and bootleggers. Tourdates:

09-29 Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
09-30 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
10-01 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts
10-03 Milwaukee, WI - Miramar Theater
10-29 Tokyo, Japan - Liquid Room
10-30 Tokyo, Japan - Liquid Room
11-01 Nagoya, Japan - Club Quattro
11-02 Osaka, Japan - Club Quattro