The Jesus Lizard

The Jesus Lizard is an alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Austin, Texas, and based in Chicago, Illinois from 1989 to 1999. Guitarist Duane Denison recruited David Yow, formerly of Scratch Acid to play bass on some songs he wanted to record. Yow suggested that he sing and have former Scratch Acid bassist David Wm. Sims play bass instead. The trio rehearsed several times in Austin with a drum machine. Yow and Sims moved to Chicago in 1988 and ... more

The Jesus Lizard is an alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Austin, Texas, and based in Chicago, Illinois from 1989 to 1999. Guitarist Duane Denison recruited David Yow, formerly of Scratch Acid to play bass on some songs he wanted to record. Yow suggested that he sing and have former Scratch Acid bassist David Wm. Sims play bass instead. The trio rehearsed several times in Austin with a drum machine. Yow and Sims moved to Chicago in 1988 and Denison followed suit the next year. The first EP, Pure, was produced by Steve Albini and released by Touch & Go Records in 1989. It is the only record by the band that uses a drum machine. Drummer Mac McNeilly was recruited to the lineup and the band played its first live show on July 1, 1989. Steve Albini produced the band's next four Touch & Go albums, Head, Goat, Liar, and Down. Albini typically kept vocals "low in the mix," or much less prominent than was typical of rock and roll recordings. In Our Band Could Be Your Life, Michael Azerrad... less