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
Perk
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call me whatever you will
I have a present for you... charity
Take off your shoes if you're going to dance on me
But don't grind your pretty heels in my face
I have a present for you
Drunker as I stayed
So I masturbated to your serenade
Couldn't see any face
Except for that girl I saw in that place
Her legs and her cheeks and her ass and her face
But I got mine
Close up... she kicked me in my face
Laugh at the noises my breaking bones make
Cover me up with the milk that you spill
I have a present for you... poverty
The Jesus Lizard's song Perk is a twisted and disturbing portrayal of a man's sexual fantasies and obsessions. The opening line, "Swinging little messy stinky girl / Call me whatever you will," sets the tone for the rest of the song; the singer is addressing a woman whom he finds unclean and untidy, yet he still desires her. He promises her a "present," which appears to be a sort of hybrid between sex, violence, and charity. The lyrics that follow are sexually charged and violent, with references to being kicked in the face and having bones broken. The line "Cover me up with the milk that you spill / I have a present for you... poverty" seems to suggest that the man's sexual urges are fueled by a bizarre desire to be humiliated and degraded.
The overall effect of the lyrics in Perk is deeply unsettling, and it's clear that the song is not meant to be taken at face value. Rather, it seems to be a commentary on the darker aspects of male sexuality and the way in which it can be warped and twisted by societal expectations and pressures. The song is a stark reminder that sexual fantasies can be both powerful and dangerous, and that the line between desire and violence can be dangerously thin.
Line by Line Meaning
Swinging little messy stinky girl
Addressing an unkempt girl and not caring about her hygiene
Call me whatever you will
Inviting derogatory names
I have a present for you... charity
Saying he will show her kindness
Take off your shoes if you're going to dance on me
Requesting respect while being used
But don't grind your pretty heels in my face
Setting boundaries to maintain dignity
Drunk when I got here
Admitting to being inebriated
Drunker as I stayed
Getting more drunk as time passes
So I masturbated to your serenade
Getting sexual pleasure from her voice
Couldn't see any face
Unable to acknowledge her as a person
Except for that girl I saw in that place
Recalling a past sexual encounter
Her legs and her cheeks and her ass and her face
Remembering her physical features
But I got mine
Gloating about his sexual prowess
Close up... she kicked me in my face
Being punished for his behavior
Laugh at the noises my breaking bones make
Finding humor in his own pain
Cover me up with the milk that you spill
Asking to be taken care of like a child
I have a present for you... poverty
Threatening her with poverty as revenge
Contributed by Jordyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.