The Jesus Lizard, undeniably one of the most iconic and influential bands to emerge in the late 20th century, make their triumphant return with Rack, their first new record since 1998’s Blue. With the announcement comes a preview of the 11-song record, with the release of “Hide & Seek”, a track David Yow describes as “a perky ditty about a witch who can’t behave, and it’s got nearly as many hooks as a Mike Tyson fight”. An accompanying video captures the foursome of Duane Denison, Mac McNeilly, David Wm. Sims, and Yow as they recorded the “ditty” with Producer Paul Allen at Nashville’s Audio Eagle Studio. “There are definitely some references to the past”, Denison says, in reference to the record, adding, “but it’s more as a point of departure: We don’t stay there”.The Jesus Lizard reconvened in 2009 for a finite number of shows, and have spent the intervening years as both friends in close contact with one another, and touring bandmates. “We literally only made the record because we thought it would be fun to make the record,” Sims shares. With McNeilly highlighting the strong relationship amongst the musicians: “We are bonded by the music we make, and also by the respect we have for each other.”
Rack will be released on September 13th via Ipecac Recordings. Pre-orders are now available here.
Photo credit: Joshua Black Wilkins