A collection of the Jesus Lizard's EPs and 7"s, with three previously unreleased tracks.
The Jesus Lizard: David Yow (vocals); Duane Denison (guitar); Dave Wm. Sims
(bass); Mac McNeilly, James Kimball, Brendan Murphy (drums).
Personnel: David Yow (vocals); Duane Denison (guitar); Mac McNeilly, Brendan Murphy (drums).
Audio Mixer: Ken Sluiter.
Recording information: 08/01/1989-03/25/1999.
When Chicago's Jesus Lizard folded up shop, they left behind a string of peerless albums that remain in print, but also recorded a number of singles and EPs of limited availability. BANG is a collection of those songs, mixed in with some live tracks and previously unreleased material. Oddball selections like covers of German synth-pop group Trio's "Anna" sit side-by-side with standards like the lacerating "Gladiator" (from their third full-length, LIAR) and whiplash live tracks like a terrifying "Killer McHann." While the live tracks still deprive the listener of the unsettling view of the sometimes pantsless vocalist David Yow, they tease with a hint of the black storm the Jesus Lizard could whip up in concert.
Professional Reviews
Q (3/00, p.120) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...a typically uncompromising last word from David Yow and co., compiling all the groups Touch & Go singles...with the occasional previously unreleased gem....they always manage to crowbar catchy segments into their cacophonous ramblings..."
Alternative Press (3/00, p.77) - 4 out of 5 - "...collects 20 of the Lizard's hottest singles and cover songs....reaffirming what was forgotten....a great retrospective..."
Magnet (4-5/00, p.77) - "...Marvelously twisted....one of the great concert acts of the '90s....It was an undeniable sound....A fine career capper..."
NME (Magazine) (2/5/00, p.28) - 8 out of 10 - "...shows they were much more than the sum of their parts....this is the flashpoint between primitive and experimental, diminished responsibility and pre-meditated chill. Such wilful regression highlights the Lizard thrill..."
