The Jesus Lizard

Born in Austin but forged in the industrial grime of Chicago, The Jesus Lizard presented an anguished, angry howl as a counterpoint to the self-pitying lowing of the ’90s “alternative” movement. But while its furious art-rock aggression—built on precisely controlled bursts of rhythmic flailing and Duane Denison’s racking guitar screams—proved to be a scarring influence on legions of noiseniks to follow, in its day The Jesus Lizard developed a reputation primarily based around the “Monkey Trick” abandon and occasional penis puppetry of its lead yeller, David Yow.

Updated 12/14/2009