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The Jesus Lizard

From Alfawiki
The Jesus Lizard
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1987 in Austin, Texas, United States
FounderDavid Yow, Duane Denison, David Wm. Sims
Headquarters
Chicago
,
United States
Key people
David Yow (vocals), Duane Denison (guitar), David Wm. Sims (bass), Mac McNeilly (drums)
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

The Jesus Lizard is a rock group from the United States, established in 1987 in Austin, Texas by vocalist David Yow, guitarist Duane Denison, and bassist David Wm. Sims. They moved to Chicago in 1989, where they worked with producer Steve Albini and signed with Touch and Go Records. With drummer Mac McNeilly joining, they became a prominent force in the American independent noise rock scene, known for their powerful, guitar-centric sound. Their albums Goat (1991) and Liar (1992) are widely regarded as foundational within the noise rock genre.

In late 1996, drummer Jim Kimball took over from McNeilly, who was succeeded by Brendan Murphy two years later. Despite collaborating on a split single with influential alternative rock band Nirvana and signing to major label Capitol Records, The Jesus Lizard did not gain considerable commercial traction during the 1990s alternative rock surge and dissolved in 1999. They reunited with McNeilly for a successful tour ten years later and resumed reunion tours beginning in 2017.

Formation and Touch & Go years (1987–1994)

The band’s roots trace back to Austin, Texas, when guitarist Duane Denison invited David Yow, previously of Scratch Acid, to record bass parts. Yow suggested taking on vocal duties instead and brought along former Scratch Acid bassist David Wm. Sims. Named after the basilisk lizard, the trio initially rehearsed using a drum machine before Yow and Sims relocated to Chicago in 1988; Denison followed the next year.

Their first EP, Pure, produced by Albini and released via Touch & Go in 1989, was unique for featuring only a drum machine. Drummer Mac McNeilly, formerly with Phantom 309, joined them for their debut live performance on July 1, 1989. Albini went on to produce their subsequent four albums: Head (1990), Goat (1991), Liar (1992), and Down (1994). In this timeframe, they also released the live record Show and a split single with Nirvana titled Puss/Oh, the Guilt.

Capitol years and breakup (1995–1999)

After signing with Capitol Records in 1995, the band contributed "Panic in Cicero" to the soundtrack of Clerks and performed at Lollapalooza. For their 1996 album Shot, they enlisted producer Garth Richardson, recognized for his work on The Melvins' Stoner Witch. Although rumors suggested Albini refused to collaborate due to their major label association, both parties denied these claims.

McNeilly departed late in 1996, citing exhaustion from touring and personal obligations; he was succeeded by Jim Kimball of Mule and Denison's side project, The Denison/Kimball Trio. This lineup recorded a self-titled EP in 1998 under Jetset Records, produced by Andy Gill of Gang of Four, John Cale, and Jim O'Rourke. Later that year came the release of Blue, produced by Gill, which exhibited a move toward more experimental sounds foreshadowed by earlier tracks such as "Happy Bunny Goes Fluff-Fluff Along" and "White Hole".

In August 1998 Kimball left and was replaced by Chicago drummer Brendan Murphy from the Wesley Willis Fiasco. After extensive touring, their final performance of this period took place at the Umeå Open festival in Sweden on March 27, 1999. Following an early termination of their contract with Capitol Records, the group officially disbanded in June of that year.

Post-breakup period (2000–2007)

In 2000, Touch & Go issued Bang, a compilation CD featuring 7" singles and rare tracks. The band members continued their musical endeavors: Denison collaborated with Tomahawk, maintained his partnership with Kimball in The Denison/Kimball Trio, and toured alongside Hank Williams III. By 2006, he had established U.S.S.A. with bassist Paul Barker (formerly of Ministry). McNeilly contributed drums to P.W. Long's Reelfoot project "Push Me Again" and performed in Mouse with his wife. In 2007, he also recorded alongside Steve Albini for Greg Garing, a fellow artist on Denison’s Fuzz label.

That same year, Yow and Sims reunited Scratch Acid with original members Rey Washam and Brett Bradford for the Touch & Go Records 25th Anniversary Festival held in Chicago. Before the festival, Scratch Acid sold out a hometown show at Austin’s Emo's. Sims relocated to New York City, pursued a career in accounting, and sustained his solo venture Dangerpuss. Denison moved to Nashville, while Yow shifted to Los Angeles, where he worked in advertising graphic design, joined the band Qui, ventured into acting, and briefly served as vocalist for Flipper.

Reunion tour (2008–2010)

The Jesus Lizard regrouped in 2008 with McNeilly returning on drums and resumed live performances in 2009. Their tour included appearances at Chicago’s Pitchfork Music Festival and the All Tomorrow's Parties events in both England and New York. On October 6, all Touch & Go studio albums were reissued featuring remastered audio by Albini and Bob Weston, complemented by bonus tracks and refreshed packaging. Following the tour’s conclusion, members returned to individual projects, suggesting this reunion was likely their final one.

Post-reunion phase (2010–2016)

In August 2011, MVD released Club, a live concert DVD and double LP documenting the band’s 2009 performance at Nashville’s Exit/In venue.

In 2013, frontman Yow unveiled Tonight You Look Like a Spider, a solo album produced over nearly fifteen years on the Joyful Noise Recordings label. Drawing inspiration from Mike Patton, Yow characterized his approach as experimental and highly involved.

The Jesus Lizard had been slated to appear at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival Release the Bats in Melbourne, Australia, in October 2013; however, the band withdrew due to unexpected reasons.

Second reunion (2017–present)

In September 2017, the group revealed plans for their second reunion, which was soon followed by their first tour in eight years that December. They embarked on another tour in September 2018 and appeared at Riot Fest 2018 held in Chicago. In June 2024, The Jesus Lizard unveiled Rack, marking their first album release in 26 years, debuting the lead track "Hide and Seek" on streaming services. The album officially dropped on September 13 via Ipecac Recordings.

Musical style and influences

Characterized by sharp guitar riffs, mechanical drum patterns, driving basslines, and intense vocals, Jesus Lizard's sound is frequently categorized as noise rock, although the band themselves disputed this label. Mac McNeilly emphasized that they regarded their music simply as rock within the broad spectrum of the genre. David Yow likened their style to "four white guys playing a blend of Led Zeppelin and the Birthday Party."

Duane Denison’s guitar approach is influenced by British musicians such as John McGeoch (notably his work on Juju), Andy Gill of Gang of Four, Geordie Walker from Killing Joke, and Keith Levene of Public Image Ltd, alongside American underground bands like Black Flag, Hüsker Dü, Butthole Surfers, and Big Black. Denison sought to fuse "post-punk, minimalist" elements with a more obscure atmosphere.

Producer Steve Albini often mixed vocals at a low volume, causing David Yow’s voice to resemble "a kidnap victim howling through duct tape," which contributed to a unique and unsettling sonic texture. Yow identified himself more as a vocal stylist than a conventional singer. His aggressive live antics—including plunging into the audience, removing clothing, licking fans, and interacting mid-performance—became a defining feature of the band’s concerts.

Legacy

The Jesus Lizard has left an imprint on a wide array of artists such as Nirvana, OK Go’s frontman Damian Kulash, Gouge Away, KEN Mode, Bill Kelliher of Mastodon, Whores, Botch, Converge, Brand New, Chat Pile, METZ, Alexis Marshall from Daughters, Sara Lund of Unwound, Jim Suptic of The Get Up Kids, Jawbreaker, bassist Johnny Temple of Girls Against Boys, guitarist Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit, as well as bands like Red Fang, and musicians such as Joe Lally of Fugazi, Henry Rollins, members of Helmet, and artist Lydia Lunch.

Producer Steve Albini hailed them as "the best band of the 90s, hands down," applauding their intense creativity and relentless work ethic. Nonetheless, he criticized their decision to sign with major label Capitol Records, suggesting it relegated them to being "a third-string act for a large corporation indifferent to both them and their fanbase."

Members

Current members

  • David Yow – vocals (1987–1999, 2008–2010, 2017–present)
  • Duane Denison – guitar (1987–1999, 2008–2010, 2017–present)
  • David Wm. Sims – bass (1987–1999, 2008–2010, 2017–present)
  • Mac McNeilly – drums (1989–1996, 2008–2010, 2017–present)

Former members

  • Jim Kimball – drums (1996–1998; died 2025)
  • Brendan Murphy – drums (1998–1999)

Studio albums

Live albums

  • Show (1994, Collision Arts)
  • Club (2011, Chunklet)

Compilations

  • Bang (2000, Touch and Go)
  • Inch (2009, Touch and Go)

EPs

Singles

  • "Chrome" (1989, Touch and Go)
  • "Mouth Breather" (1990, Touch and Go)
  • "Wheelchair Epidemic" (1992, Touch and Go)
  • "Gladiator" (1992, Touch and Go)
  • "Gladiator" / "Boilermaker" (1992, Insipid Vinyl)
  • "(Fly) On (The Wall)" (1993, Touch and Go)
  • "Puss" / "Oh, The Guilt" (1993, Insipid Vinyl) (split single with Nirvana)
  • "Puss" (1993, Touch and Go)
  • "Mailman" (1996, Capitol)
  • "Hide and Seek" (2024, Ipecac)

Official videos

  • "Nub" (1991)
  • "Gladiator" (1992)
  • "Puss" (1993)
  • "Destroy Before Reading" (1994)

DVDs

  • The Jesus Lizard – Live (Music Video Distributors, 2007)
  • The Jesus Lizard – Club (Music Video Distributors, 2011)

Chart positions

Albums

Year Title Chart Peak position
1994 Down UK Albums 64
1996 Shot US Heatseekers 28

Singles

Year Title Chart Peak position
1993 "Puss/Oh, the Guilt" (split single with Nirvana) UK Singles Chart 12

External links

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