After a brief run as a recording-only project based in Austin, founding vocalist David Yow, bassist David Wm. Sims and guitarist Duane Denison relocated to Chicago, Illinois in 1989, finding kindred spirits in recording engineer Steve Albini and the Touch and Go Records imprint. With the addition of drummer Mac McNeilly, they began operating as a live band, expanding their following beyond Chicago's alternative scene into an international audience. Drummer Jim Kimball replaced McNeilly late in 1996, and was himself replaced by Brendan Murphy two years later.
Despite releasing a split single with leading alt-rockers Nirvana and signing to Capitol Records, the band failed to find commercial success amid the alternative rock explosion of the 1990s, and disbanded in 1999. Their reunion from 2008 to 2010 and following tour enjoyed positive responses from audiences and critics.
In October 2013, The Jesus Lizard were set to play at the All Tomorrow's Parties event Release the Bats in Melbourne, Australia. They cancelled this show due to "unforeseen circumstances."
Members:
David Yow - vocals;
Duane Denison - guitars;
David Wm. Sims - bass;
Mac McNeilly - drums.
Former members:
Jim Kimball - drums;
Brendan Murphy - drums.
http://www.thejesuslizard.net
Boilermaker
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've calmed down
But I'm shaking
Make me another boilermaker
In molasses
A fly in molasses
There's an arched back
There is an arched back
's got a pained look under rain clouds
In molasses
A fly in molasses
Just if you know what it's like to drown
What's that?
What's that?
What's that?
What's that?
What's that?
What was that?
Make me another boilermaker
And it's dry inside 'til a dusty wind
And each trying sigh is a trusted friend
In his pride I saw his just defense
I eyed the bedroom door until I busted in
I busted
I busted
I busted in
In molasses
A fly in molasses
Nasty sticky shit holds it down
There's an arched back
There is an arched back
's got a pained look under rain clouds
In molasses
A fly in molasses
Just if you know what it's like to drown
What's that?
What's that?
What's that?
What's that?
What's that?
What was that?
Make me another boilermaker
Strange how it makes him want to tell lies
The Jesus Lizard's song Boilermaker is a chaotic and abrasive track that features David Yow's tortured vocals and the band's menacing instrumentation that builds and crashes in waves. The lyrics are fragmented and obscure, offering a glimpse into a disturbed and disorienting state of mind. The song begins with the singer claiming to be calm and collected, but quickly revealing that they are still visibly shaken. They then request another boilermaker, a strong alcoholic drink consisting of whiskey and beer or a shot of whiskey dropped into a glass of beer.
The imagery of 'molasses' is used to create a sense of suffocation and despair, as the thick, sticky substance is a powerful metaphor for drowning or being trapped. The singer describes a fly stuck in molasses, emphasizing the helpless and hopeless nature of the situation. The repetition of the question "what's that?" suggests a sense of confusion or fear, as the singer struggles to make sense of their surroundings. The song also includes references to pride, defense, and lying, suggesting that the singer may be grappling with feelings of guilt or shame.
Overall, Boilermaker is an intense and unsettling song that offers a disturbing glimpse into the mind of someone in distress. While the lyrics are open to interpretation, they suggest a sense of being trapped, suffocated, and overwhelmed by one's emotions and surroundings.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm calm now
I've become relaxed
I've calmed down
My emotions have been subdued
But I'm shaking
I'm still experiencing physical tremors
Make me another boilermaker
Pour me another alcoholic drink
In molasses
An environment that slows movements
A fly in molasses
A small creature trapped in an immobile substance
Nasty sticky shit holds it down
The sticky substance makes the creature immobile in a negative way
There's an arched back
The creature's body has an upward curve
There is an arched back
The sight of the creature is present
's got a pained look under rain clouds
The creature's expression signifies agony and distress
Just if you know what it's like to drown
Understanding the feeling of suffocating and being powerless
What's that?
An expression of confusion or misunderstanding
What was that?
An expression of questioning something heard or seen
And it's dry inside 'til a dusty wind
Although it seems calm, there's an underlying turbulence
And each trying sigh is a trusted friend
Each struggled breath is a companion in coping with hardships
In his pride I saw his just defense
In his arrogance, he showed his true intentions
I eyed the bedroom door until I busted in
I intently watched the entryway until I broke in
I busted
I broke through a barrier by force
Strange how it makes him want to tell lies
Odd how the situation encourages him to be dishonest
Contributed by Cooper A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.