During The Jesus Lizard’s initial run, David Yow’s persona balanced between communal firestarter and raving lunatic, and the effect, jarring and head-bashing, was monumental, as his furious vocals were propelled by full-on-attack guitars and drums seemingly beat to hell by the Terminator. Of course, the first four records—the Albini records on Touch & Go—were the best; once the band moved on to major-label Capitol it lost its steam. (Though that might not be the band’s fault, as it was 1995, and times were certainly changing.) Reunited, the four-piece stole the weekend at Pitchfork this summer, as it took less than sixty seconds for Yow to dive into the crowd—the pack of Lizard-lovers were overwhelmed with guitar bombs one on top of the other for an hour of gritty adrenaline and scathing musical piss. It was great. 1991’s “Goat” still holds as the pivotal work the band offered the salivating masses, “Mouth Breather” probably being the group’s most popular excretion. These two shows at Metro are sure to feature much physical contact. Watch out for Yow’s boot—don’t get kicked in the head. (Tom Lynch)
November 27-28 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, at 9pm. $25.
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