The Jesus Lizard
Concerto Magnolia - Milano

LA RECENSIONE

Stunned for an entire day. All today. A feeling of total catharsis, as if I had participated in a messianic rite, and I, a follower who hadn't practiced in a long time, find myself once again embracing faith with passion. It seems like an exaggeration, surely a narrative starting from some images and symbols that come alive again as if 16 years and a few more pounds hadn't passed since the last time I saw them at Spazio 211 in Turin in September 2009 (https://www.debaser.it/the-jesus-lizard/live-at-spazio-211-to-19092009/recensione). Rack, released last year from the latest Blue, had already sparked cries of evangelizing new generations of followers of what is rightly considered one of the most iconic bands from Chicago: the Jesus Lizard. I don't want to bore anyone with why they are considered the keepers of alternative noise rock and post-hardcore. Read Scaruffi, anything on the internet, and you'll find the connections with the American punk scene, starting with the late Steve Albini who produced Goat, the whole post-rock scene of Chicago and Louisville up to Capovilla's Teatro degli Orrori. I will only talk about one thing: their power. Because never, and I say never, except in very rare cases, does one still witness an explosive mix of a bass played like a bazooka, incessant drumming that doesn't gladly take the place of the skins, and heaps of guitar riffs with an absolutely unique style. And him... David Yow who doesn't sing, he howls, screams, mixes sweat and spits and stage dives from the opener Mouth breather. After only 10 seconds, he flies at 64 years old over the heads of the audience for the entire song! Acidic electric blues, mixed with powerful rock all based on David Sims' bass line. There's a mix of everything: from the straight edge approach of Fugazi to the deviation of the Birthday Party, with a strong rock structure and never free to go ad minchiam. They throw punches that land squarely in the face, not flung disorderly in the midst of a brawl. They are massive and orderly. They are the rock version of Nomeansno, less mathematical and cerebral. In other words, take the essence of American independent music of the '90s, and in the Jesus Lizard you find the essence.

Almost 20 years without them. They arrive....and they rock. And they sound better than before... absolutely monstrous. They roll out a setlist to be feared with two encores of 3 songs each. They do all the best even though, to be honest, it would take 4 concerts to perform the entire repertoire. It's not a reunion like, "I'm out of money and need to pay the grandson's mortgage." Nothing of this sort. It's not even a marketing event to promote Rack, but they are proud to do so, in addition to Hide & Seek, What if? with David Yow doing the spoken word sitting down, Alexis feels Sick, Lord Godiva, Falling Down, Swan the dog, Dunning Kruger and before the finale of Blockbuster also Armistice Day. My impression is that it's a new beginning, in the continuity of the past. There’s space for the chapters from Seasick, Puss, a very powerful Then comes Dudley and Thumper and again Nub, Gladiator, and Monkey Trick with which they close before the two encores. Duane Denison's inlays with the bottleneck, with a tone that alone is the true brand of the Jesus Lizard. Mac McNelly throws bombs behind his beautiful maple Ludwig set, coming out completely drenched in sweat. Magnificent sixties who still know how to have fun, knowing how to communicate passion and commitment.

And I, in my small way, with my Nomeansno's Wrong t-shirt that catches the attention of many, with "Be Strong Be Wrong" written on the back, happy to have been there.