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
Thumbscrews
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cannot hardly walk
We're gonna ask the landlord
Why he's been such a cock
If he starts into lying
We'll know it right away
We're only gonna ask him
Just to hear what he will say
And put him in his place
Leave a great big hole
Where he used to keep his face
Then one more time we'll ask him
Why he's been the way he's been
And then we'll get the thumbscrews
And start all over again
If you've got fun ideas
Of lots of different ways
That we could jack this jackass
And torture him for days
We all sit there just relaxing
While he's bleeding from his ears
That fucker's had it coming
Just shy of seven years
My hands are really shaking
I cannot hardly walk
We're gonna ask the landlord
Why he's been such a cock
The Jesus Lizard's song Thumbscrews delves into themes of frustration, anger, and retribution against oppression. The opening verse sets a tense mood, detailing the physical effects of anxiety and nervousness as the singer and their allies prepare to confront their landlord about his unfair treatment of them. As the song progresses, their confrontational tactics become more extreme, culminating in a sadistic plan to torture and harm the landlord.
The lyrics reveal the deep-seated rage and desire for justice that the singer feels towards their oppressor. The mention of "thumbscrews" is a medieval torture device that involves crushing the fingers, highlighting the brutality of their intentions. The repetition of the phrase "We're gonna ask the landlord / Why he's been such a cock" also shows that the confrontation is not just about seeking answers, but also a means of asserting power and revenge.
Overall, Thumbscrews is a visceral and intense portrayal of a person fighting back against an abuser. Through vivid and disturbing imagery, The Jesus Lizard captures the desperation and anger felt by those who have been wronged.
Line by Line Meaning
My hands are really shaking
I am extremely nervous and anxious
I cannot hardly walk
I am so nervous that I am experiencing physical instability
We're gonna ask the landlord
We plan to confront the landlord
Why he's been such a cock
We want to know why he has been acting rudely and unfairly towards us
If he starts into lying
If he begins to tell lies
We'll know it right away
We will be able to immediately recognize that he is lying
We're only gonna ask him
Our intentions are simply to ask him a question
Just to hear what he will say
We are curious to know what explanation he will offer
Then we will get the thumbscrews
We will proceed to torture him
And put him in his place
We intend to show him that we will not tolerate his mistreatment of us
Leave a great big hole
We plan to inflict severe physical damage on him
Where he used to keep his face
We will inflict great harm to his face
Then one more time we'll ask him
We will give him another chance to explain his behavior
Why he's been the way he's been
We want to know the reason for his unfair treatment towards us
And then we'll get the thumbscrews
If he fails to provide a satisfactory explanation, we will proceed to torture him again
And start all over again
We will repeat this process until we feel that he has been sufficiently punished
If you've got fun ideas
If you have other suggestions
Of lots of different ways
For alternative methods of torture
That we could jack this jackass
To further punish the landlord and seek revenge
And torture him for days
We are willing to subject him to prolonged torture
We all sit there just relaxing
We are calm and composed while inflicting pain on our victim
While he's bleeding from his ears
We are causing extensive physical damage to him
That fucker's had it coming
He deserves the punishment we are inflicting upon him
Just shy of seven years
He has been treating us unfairly for almost seven years, and we have reached our breaking point
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MrChiaboy
I love their songs that sound like musical nauseousness
Margot Audler
CURRENTLY LISTENING TO THIS PREPARING TO ROB A BANK :)
Joe Shmoe
best song on the album
Maurizio Coppolaro
2018 and still great song!!!!
John Desmond
2020 and still a great song :)
politikillpigs
great band check out scratch acid the band before it morphed into jesus lizard also great
Gemma Devereux
same here!!! god bless those boys! they know good music <3 <3
China News
amazing song <3
Jorge Dibildox
That fucking guitar riff!
han
Josh from The Horrors wasnt wrong! this song is badass!!