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The Jesus Lizard was a Rock Music group formed in 1987 in Chicago, Illinois . After the breakup of Scratch Acid , singer David Yow relocated to Chicago where he met guitarist Duane Denison . Finding his abilities on bass guitar lacking, David Yow recruited ex- Scratch Acid bassist David Wm. Sims for a new project. The trio called themselves The Jesus Lizard; using a Drum Machine for their earliest recordings and performances, before adding drummer Mac McNeilly after recording their first EP '' Pure ''. SOUND AND INFLUENCE The band took their name from a common nickname for the ''. Retrieved June 5, 2005. Their music was a scathing mix of piercing guitar, machine-like drums, propulsive bass guitar, and psychotic vocals, often reminiscent of The Birthday Party . Denison's stinging guitar often served more as texture or coloring than as a melody instrument, while the Rhythm Section 's stops and starts were simultaneously precise and brutal. David Yow's frenzied, often incoherent vocals were quite unique, unlike anything past or present. David Sprague suggests that "Yow's disjointed Couplet s" are reminiscent of a " Preacher Speaking In Tongues ." {Link without Title} HISTORY Through 1994, the Jesus Lizard's studio recordings were recorded and engineered by Steve Albini . 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 writes that "on the Jesus Lizard albums Albini recorded, singer David Yow sounds like a Kidnap victim trying to howl through the Duct Tape over his mouth; the effect is horrific." (Azerrad, 344)Azerrad, Michael. '' Our Band Could Be Your Life ''. Little Brown and Company, 2002. ISBN 0-316-78753-1 While appreciated as a unique vocalist, Yow was more often cited for his confrontational antics on-stage. For example, during a show at the now defunct Odd Rock Cafe in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jesus Lizard's set list included an instrumental titled "Tight and Shiny". Yow set the mike stand at waist-height,dropped his drawers, and pulled out his penis. The band thundered on, while the song title's relevance crept into the audiences' mind as they had a clear view of Yow stretching his scrotal sack over his testicles, giving them a tight and shiny look. In 1994, David Yow tried out his acting chops in the movie "Walls In the City" with the soundtrack done by Denison Kimball Trio and released on SkinGraft Records. The Jesus Lizard signed a contract with Capitol Records in 1995, an action which caused a falling out with Albini, famous for his dislike of major record companies. With the major label backing, the band put the song "Panic in Cicero" on the '' Clerks '' soundtrack, and made appearances at Lollapalooza . The release of '' Shot '' in 1996, recorded by GGGarth , moved the band into new territory on all fronts; artistically, sonically, musically, and lyrically. Mac McNeilly left the band in 1997 for personal reasons and was replaced by Jim Kimball , who appeared that year on The Jesus Lizard's self-titled EP on Jetset Records. The EP featured production and engineering by Andy Gill (Gang of Four), John Cale, and Jim O'Rourke. In 1998, the band released '' Blue '', recorded by Andy Gill of Gang Of Four fame. A departure for The Jesus Lizard, this one was another step in the direction ''Shot'' took them. During the following tour Kimball was replaced by Brendan Murphy. Later that year the band announced that they were breaking up. POST-BREAKUP In 2000, Touch & Go issued a CD of 7" tracks and rarities called ''Bang''. After the split some of the members moved on to other bands. Denison plays with Tomahawk , continues to play with Kimball in the Denison Kimball Trio (which is actually a duo), and backed up Hank Williams III on a couple of tours. In 2006, Yow and Sims reformed Scratch Acid , along with Rey Washam ( Rapeman , Ministry ) and Brett Bradford for the Touch And Go Records 25th Anniversary Festival in Chicago. A week before the Touch & Go Festival, the reunited Scratch Acid played to a sold-out crowd at Emo's in their hometown of Austin, TX. After The Jesus Lizard, drummer Mac MacNeilly, along with his wife, formed the band Mouse . Bassist David Wm. Sims relocated to New York City and now works as an accountant. Vocalist David Yow moved to Los Angeles to work in graphic design for an advertising agency. Yow has joined the Los Angeles band Qui . DISCOGRAPHY
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