Stephen Malkmus Jr. was a part of The Silver Jews as well as lead singer and guitar player for influential indie pioneers Pavement. He has since released 2 albums as part of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks : the first modestly named after the lead singer himself in 2001, and Pig Lib in 2003. Malkmus recorded his third album, Face The Truth in 2005--said to be his first true solo album by his label, Matador Records, though on his own website Malkmus claims that the Jicks played on every track in some form. When Pavement first began during the late 80's, Malkmus lived in Stockton, California and followed in his fathers footsteps to attend college at the University of Virginia. Malkmus currently resides in Portland, Oregon.

Malkmus was heavily influenced by a lot of important, significant artists of the latter 20th century. College radio would play a part in his music development; Bands like The Fall and lead singer Mark E Smith - a band that he would often mimic both musically and lyrically in songs such as "Conduit For Sale" off Pavement's. landmark full debut album "Slanted and Enchanted" and Sonic Youth whose experimental rock tendencies would show on Malkmus and Pavement's music through the use of abstract lyrics, distortion or "white noise" guitars and his amateurish "slacker-rock" attitude.

Malkmus would be hailed as being the spear-head of the underground indie movement in America in the 1990s. Pavement, along with Sebadoh would be hailed as pioneers of the Lo-fi music indie sub-genre and with it would win the hearts and minds of purist, indie music followers in the UK as well as in the USA.