Five Questions with The Jesus Lizard

(Above, left-right: Duane Denison, David Yow, David Wm. Sims, Mac McNeilly)

How many of you out there remember that The Jesus Lizard - supported by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Wilmington’s underrated Brickbat - was the first band to play at Cat’s Cradle’s current Carrboro location, back in November of 1993? If you remember that show, I’m willing to bet you already have your ticket for Thursday’s show at that same venue, because no band ever put on a show quite like The Jesus Lizard. Duane Denison’s nerve-wracking guitar scrapes the rhythm assault of bass player David Wm. Sims and drummer Mac McNeilly. And frontman David Yow took it way over the top with an insane live show that often involved attacking the audience, shouting maniacally and getting naked. You never knew what was going to happen at a Jesus Lizard show.

They’ve reformed to play live, but according to the answers below, you shouldn’t wait around for a new CD. David Wm. Sims, who also released Brickbat’s first CD on his record label, was gracious enough to answer Five Questions for us.

1. Everything written about the Jesus Lizard reunion states that the lineup will be “the four original members”. If that were true, wouldn’t that mean you, David, Duane and the drum machine?

You could take that tack, but you’d be being overly literal at the expense of clarity.  Since we’re talking about live shows, it’s reasonable to assume that we’re talking about the original live lineup.  We never played with a drum machine live.  Plus, it would be a little weird to report a drum machine as a band member anyway, right?  If we’re going to count the drum machine, why not the guitars, too?

2. I read an interview with you in which you said “People that think that because they have a computer, they’re intelligent. I mean, I’m sorry. I’m just not buying it. Especially given what I read, the crap these people post.” Given the fact that you now have a pretty nice blog, would you like to comment on that statement?

Um, no.  Oh, okay, then. You’ve kind of forced my hand here, because I have a draft blog post called “HE HATES THOSE GODDAMNED INTERNETS!” where I was going to link to Mark’s interview and highlight that quote because, yes, the contrast between my stance then and the fact that I now have a blog and and a MySpace page and a Facebook page and own three or four web domains is a little hilarious. I also like the reference to my massive swelling organ.

3. Have any of the band members ever been accidentally hurt by David’s onstage antics?

David Yow has, many, many times.

4. Whatever happened with Torsion Records, and would you consider re-releasing the Brickbat record?

Putting out records for other people is a lot harder and a lot less fun than I thought it was going to be.  I had no idea it involves so much time on the telephone, which I a giant bummer for a guy like me.  I’m proud to have put out that Brickbat album and the first Tortoise single, but somebody else needs to do that label stuff, somebody who’s better at it.

5. When is the Jesus Lizard going to put out a brand new album of all new music?

I don’t think we’re in a hurry to do anything like that.  We’re not working on new songs or fishing for label deals.  I’m a never-say-never guy to the core of my being, but don’t hold your breath.

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