All Tomorrow's Parties

Chicago post-punk rawk legends The Jesus Lizard reunited in 2008 and performed at May 2009's ATP vs. The Fans II: The Fans Strike Back in Minehead, England along with the likes of Devo, Killing Joke, and Sleep. By all accounts, and judging by the above photo, it musta been an incredibley intense show.

Fast forward to 9/11/2009. The Jesus Lizard take the stage at the Stardust Ballroom up at Kutsher's Resort in Monticello, NY for All Tomorrow's Parties second annual New York festival. In case we had forgotten, David Yow made sure to wish the audience a happy 9/11 repeatedly, throughout the set. And the reunited 4-piece launched into a blistering set of sharp-edged classics like "Mouth Breather", "Seasick", "Puss", even their TV As Eyes/Abstract Nympho Chrome cover (originally released on a Touch & Go 7''). The whole night, it felt like David Yow was gonna take his shirt off. It just had that out of control energy as he jumped in and out of the turbulent audience. Fans made their way on to the stage as well, and at one point I counted three of them all tearing at Yow's shirt, which had made its way to the elbows. But this time, the shirt stayed on.

The original Jesus Lizard lineup was in full force. Duane Denison's been playing in Th' Legendary Shack Shakers these days, and his razorblade riffs on "Mouth Breather" sliced through the gigantic Stardust speakers with precision. Drummer Mac McNeilly and bassist David Sims are a rhythm section in league with the best of 'em. Just check out the intro to "Monkey Trick" below, a classic that brings back fond memories of WPRB Station ID's.

Stream the full set here via WFMU, and if you're anywhere nearby NYC, you can catch The Jesus Lizard live this Monday November 16th at Irving Plaza.