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
Churl
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The respect of the everyman
Seems to have thrown his balance off
And he finds himself hypocritical
Of Hollywood dicks
He finds him self
In cold pursuit
Would be so bad
Except for the fact that...
The devotion of thousands
Of fanatical lunatics
A bizarre form of...
Whatever the hell it is
And has shaped him into
A modern day Jack the Ripper
And he finds himself
In cold pursuit
But none of this would be so bad
Except for the fact that
*One wit friends who had all that could be
And now it's time to go
And as the blood thickens
The evidence becomes overwhelming
And as the blood thickens
The evidence becomes overwhelming
And he finds himself
In cold pursuit
And none of this
Would be so bad
Except for the fact that...
The Jesus Lizard's song “Churl” is a commentary on the hypocritical nature of fame and the obsession that comes with it. The first stanza talks about how the respect of different classes, such as the elite and the working-class, has thrown the singer's balance off. He finds himself hypocritical of the Hollywood dicks, but none of this would be so bad, except for the fact that the devotion of thousands of fanatical lunatics has shaped him into a modern-day Jack the Ripper.
The second stanza talks about the singer's situation as evidence becomes overwhelming and the blood thickens. He finds himself in cold pursuit as the obsession consumes him. The lyrics suggest that the singer's descent into madness is an inevitable consequence of the fame and adoration that he received. The chorus repeats that none of this would be so bad, except for the fact that it is now an undeniable truth that his obsession has corrupted him.
In essence, “Churl” is a commentary on how society's fascination with celebrity culture can corrupt an individual and lead to their downfall. It warns us that the cost of fame can be too high to pay, and the distorted reality that comes with it can consume an individual in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
The respect of classes
He used to think it was important to have respect for social classes.
The respect of the everyman
He also used to believe in respecting the common man.
Seems to have thrown his balance off
However, these beliefs have caused him to lose his sense of balance or perspective.
And he finds himself hypocritical
He realizes he is being hypocritical because his beliefs have shifted.
Of Hollywood dicks
He particularly dislikes the arrogant attitudes of people in the entertainment industry.
He finds him self
He realizes that he is now consumed with a new purpose.
In cold pursuit
He is relentlessly chasing a goal or objective, without regard for others.
But none of this
Despite all the negative things he's done,
Would be so bad
It wouldn't be as terrible,
Except for the fact that...
if it weren't for one major issue...
The devotion of thousands
He has a group of dedicated followers.
Of fanatical lunatics
These followers are irrational and intense in their support.
A bizarre form of...
Their support takes on an unusual or strange form.
Whatever the hell it is
He doesn't even understand what they're so devoted to.
And has shaped him into
Their devotion has molded him into something else.
A modern day Jack the Ripper
He's become a ruthless and violent figure in his pursuit of whatever the followers want.
One wit friends who had all that could be
He used to have everything he wanted, along with friends who were just as well-off.
And now it's time to go
His time in this state of pursuit is running out.
And as the blood thickens
As he becomes more embroiled in his violent pursuits,
The evidence becomes overwhelming
The clues that tie him to his actions become too significant to ignore.
And he finds himself
He is again consumed by his obsession.
And none of this
Even with all this information,
Would be so bad
none of it would be as terrible,
Except for the fact that...
if it weren't for one major issue...
Contributed by Max R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.