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
Thumper
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On monday we'll pass through the arch
Red leaf and stitches all down the front
Sealed shut with a latch on
Sealed shut with a latch on
Sealed shut with a latch on
Sealed shut with a latch on
Mislaid and misshapen
Menu of the choices of tumors and such
Well heeled and girlish
Well heeled and girlish
Well heeled and girlish
Well heeled and girlish
Bankrupt
Immoral in the bowels of the nest
Vacate
Get out relatively unscathed
Butcher
An Aroma
Dispose of the stuff
Glass idiot wrestle
You get me aroused
The Jesus Lizard's song "Thumper" features enigmatic and cryptic lyrics that are open to interpretation. The song begins with a reference to a "race eel," which is a type of eel that is popular in Japanese cuisine. The lyrics then suggest the singer will pass through an arch on Monday while wearing a red leaf and stitches down the front, indicating they may have been wounded. The stitching is sealed shut with a latch on, suggesting that the wound was deliberate, and possibly a form of self-harm.
The singer describes being "mislaid and misshapen," with a "real trigger tongue," suggesting a sense of inner turmoil and instability. The following lines about the choices of tumors and such and being "well-heeled and girlish" may reference the singer's struggle with mental illness, and the attempts to find a way to cope with an inner turmoil that is beyond their control.
The final lines of the song are somewhat enigmatic, but suggest a desire for release and escape from the turmoil that is described throughout the song. The references to being "bankrupt," "immoral in the bowels of the nest," and "disposing of the stuff" suggest a sense of desperation and a desire to move on from whatever dark place the singer is in. Overall, the lyrics of "Thumper" are open to interpretation, but suggest themes of inner turmoil, desperation, and a desire for release.
Line by Line Meaning
Race eel
Beginning the song in a mysterious way, with seemingly unrelated words.
On monday we'll pass through the arch
Planning for an event on Monday and moving through an arch.
Red leaf and stitches all down the front
Describing something that is torn and stitched, probably referring to clothes or a wound.
Sealed shut with a latch on
Something is enclosed and secured with a latch.
Sealed shut with a latch on
Repeating that something is sealed and locked with a latch, emphasizing its importance.
Sealed shut with a latch on
Continuing to repeat the same line, possibly hinting that the subject is trapped or confined.
Sealed shut with a latch on
Repeating once again for effect and emphasis.
Mislaid and misshapen
Something has been lost or forgotten and is now deformed or changed.
A real trigger tongue
Referring to someone who speaks recklessly or in a way that provokes others.
Menu of the choices of tumors and such
Talking about a selection of things that are unpleasant or harmful.
Well heeled and girlish
Describing someone who is dressed nicely but also acting childishly.
Well heeled and girlish
Repeating the same line to reinforce the previous description.
Well heeled and girlish
Once again repeating the line for emphasis.
Well heeled and girlish
One last repetition for effect and emphasis.
Bankrupt
Referring to a lack of something valuable or important.
Immoral in the bowels of the nest
Something is morally wrong or corrupt in a hidden or secretive place.
Vacate
Leaving a place quickly, possibly to avoid danger or discomfort.
Get out relatively unscathed
Leaving a situation without being hurt or harmed too badly.
Butcher
Referring to someone who kills or cuts up animals, possibly hinting at violence or aggression.
An Aroma
Describing a smell, possibly referring to the smell of blood or something unpleasant.
Dispose of the stuff
Getting rid of something in a way that is permanent or final.
Glass idiot wrestle
Using strange and somewhat nonsensical language to describe a physical or mental struggle.
You get me aroused
Imparting a sense of excitement or stimulation, possibly sexual in nature.
Contributed by Keira G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.