Chunklet

So it can now be confirmed: The reunited Jesus Lizard haven't lost a fucking beat. Trust me on this.

I got to see them three times this past weekend in England, and I'll tell you right now that they weren't just as good as when they stopped, they were as good as they were in (say) 1992. For a man that's probably approaching 50, Yow was classic Yow. Leapt right into the crowd repeatedly every night without fear.

The first night was of particular note because it was the only time I'd ever seen an ocean of fans sing along to every one of their songs. For a band that was supposedly as terrified as they were, you couldn't tell. Fierce. F-I-E-R-C-E.

Things of note: First, TJL super-fan Bernie Bahrmasel was nowhere to be seen which I found particularly odd. Second, the crowd were magnificent. No violence. Just pure bliss. And thirdly, the band looked like they were having a blast. My only criticism (and it's minor) is that Duane's guitar doesn't sound quite right.

Harvey Milk were in fine form as well. A lengthy set at ATP and a shortened set at the Forum opening for TJL. Grails were equally good.

And to avoid the discussion, I wasn't totally thrilled by Sleep. I mean, I like the albums, but I just found their live sound to be really blown out. But of course, I saw both shows. I don't want to be the asshole who wrote off a band that did two reunion shows on the merit of one of them.

This was the first ATP in the UK that my lovely wife tagged along. She had a great time. Knocked a love seat over with my buddy Pete in it. Iain recorded a chillingly beautiful recording of Pete doing an acapella version of "Dragonaut" by Sleep. (It was ingrained in our heads all weekend!) It's up on AudioBoo. Check it out.

One peculiar side note I feel necessary to bring up. Yow informed me that Boche Billions (their booking agent since day one) had been going around accusing me of stealing a bottle of Maker's at the 40 Watt during a Blues Explosion show in '94 or '95. I found this preposterous for a number reasons. First and foremost, although he felt comfortable going around accusing me of this falsehood, he never felt the need to address this directly with me. That's chicken shit. Secondly, back when I drank (pre-'97), the thought of stealing backstage booze was a no-no. I mean, it still is, but you get what I'm saying. Thirdly, I never drank Maker's. Ever. I was strictly a beer guy. And, for a guy that only talked to me a total of one time 14 years ago, his ability to remember picayune (and innacurate) information about such a dumb incident was something to behold. Additionally, considering I've housed over the past 20 years a good share of his clients, I would've expected a pass. But no. Whatever. I think Boche smoothed it over with me albeit with a smirk of disbelief on his face while I discussed it with him backstage at the Forum in London. I still absolutely respect what Boche does for a living. This interview from ten years ago in Chunklet is still quite relevant.

I'm including the second Peel session by The Jesus Lizard as a token of thanks to the band and the fans (and especially ATP) for making such a spectacular weekend.

Boche. For the record, I did bring the accusation to your face. I had to find out your accusation (regardless of its origin) from Yow. So make of it what you will, but I can take the hits. Funny that I had to bring it to your attention and you tried cleverly to avoid it after not so much as talking to you for 14+ years. And please do keep in mind, dear Boche, that I too (surprisingly) work for a living. The fact that such a laughably insignificant incident was brought up second hand just was too absurd NOT to bring up both to you (which I did) and then follow up on my own site (viz). So yeah, I think I pretty much DID call you chicken shit to your face, but being all polite and whatnot, I felt I called a spade a spade without calling it a spade. Applause to all around. However, with all of this prattling out of the way, I could not agree with you more that it's a tremendously insignificant event being blown out of proportion. I'm done with it. You may respond (if you'd like) and I will let you have the last word.

Posted by henry @ 06/07/2009 11:15 PM

Ooooh, SNAP! Bitchy Billions spits hot fire, dog!

Posted by kip @ 06/03/2009 02:11 PM

Henry, get hold of yourself. Are you really so self-importantly obnoxious that you're going to turn what was essentially a joke I made to Yow in Minehead into a federal case? Do you really believe I have been "going around" telling this story for fourteen years? Please. I work for a living.

For what it's worth, Bernie is the one who accused you back in the day. All I remember from that night in Athens was that you behaved like a jackass generally and drinking someone else's bourbon didn't seem all that incongruous.

Oh, and if I were going to call someone "chicken shit," I'd take the opportunity to make the accusation in person rather than from my coward's nest on the Internet.

Posted by Boche Billions @ 06/01/2009 11:15 PM

Henry, have had any chance to upload the first night of the atp fest anywhere? I'd also be interested in the Qui sets, or the sleep set. hanks for all the information.

Posted by Brian @ 05/28/2009 10:50 PM

Yup The Jesus Lizard killed it all round at ATP...was good chatting to you Henry...thanks for not selling me a £40 Melvins 7"...been downloading lots of great stuff from here though so cheers...James

Posted by James McDonald @ 05/23/2009 09:16 AM

Nice Henry. Haven't checked the site in a while. Can't wait to see TJL again. Hey, they play Seattle in July. Come on out and stay in the new house...

Posted by Stellyd @ 05/22/2009 10:39 PM

Thanks - I can believe it was pretty popular! I'll keep an eye on things here - but promise to at all times remain calm & patient.

BTW, been aware of Chunklet (the mag) for a while but only just clocked your blog. Really enjoying, and thanks v much for the song downloads: TJL Peel Sessions! Bitch Magnet demos! Fugazi! Killdozer! Harvey Milk! etc etc - I'm like the proverbial pig in shit.

Posted by narcoagent @ 05/20/2009 11:35 AM

I'll try to reupload it, but that yousendit file maxed out 870% of my 1GB download allotment! I think that means quite a few people checked it out. Be patient.

Posted by henry @ 05/19/2009 10:06 AM

Henry, my good fellow,
Any chance you could re-up the recording of TJL @ ATP night 2? The download limit has been reached and I'd very much like to get my grubby paws on it in order to better re-live what was an amazing experience. Ta!

Posted by narcoagent @ 05/19/2009 06:44 AM

Weird, man. As someone who has known you for many years I can attest that,even back then, you rarely drank. I honestly can only remember one time I saw you drinking.

I love Scratch Acid but never managed to love Jesus Lizard. All those shows at the 40 Watt I went to were really just me going along with friends who loved them.
Maybe I'll give them another go if they come back around.

Posted by Gordon Lamb @ 05/17/2009 05:44 PM

Thanks for the information on those shows. Looking forward in hearing the first night. It will be nice to see Whitney again, although Si was always entertaining. How was Qui's set?

Posted by Brian @ 05/15/2009 09:24 PM

Oh, and I didn't record the Forum show. The room would've made the band pay some ridiculous fee. Pretty common for the Clear Channel-ish rooms. I didn't bother. Plus, the overall acoustics in the room weren't very good.

Posted by henry @ 05/15/2009 03:52 PM

I'll get the first night up when I get it into the computer. Their sound was done (as it was always done in "the good ol' days") by Whitney. They got him outta retirement to do sound. He's one of the best. And nicest.

Posted by henry @ 05/15/2009 03:49 PM

did anyone see who was running sound for the jesus lizard? very nice recording.......thanks henry

Posted by Brian @ 05/15/2009 03:14 PM

do you recordings of the jesus lizard of the first and 3rd nights? please post.

Posted by Brian @ 05/15/2009 03:10 PM

Yeah, it's a pity I didn't steal a bottle of so-so bourbon that costs a club $8 and would've been collecting dust at my house for years. I don't know why it gets my dander up, but it does.

Posted by henry @ 05/14/2009 01:27 PM

Okay- you can tell me, how long did that bottle of Makers last? That shit's good with some ginger ale. It'd be kind of a shame not to have stolen it, especially after you've been accused.

Posted by Oliver MayorofRockNRoll @ 05/14/2009 12:15 PM

Yow played with Qui too, huh? Pretty awesome.

Posted by Hack McWriter @ 05/14/2009 11:25 AM

Now I am happy.

Posted by kayte @ 05/13/2009 09:29 PM

Lars, I've linked it now above. But in case you're too lazy, click on http://audioboo.fm/boos/16399-pete-does-dragonaut

Posted by henry @ 05/13/2009 05:12 PM

Happy Bunny Goes Fluff-Fluff Along

Posted by joe @ 05/13/2009 04:28 PM

i saw jesus lizard at forum, i must agree, i never saw them back in the day but it certainly felt like i was seing a band at there best rather than some bad reuinion, i think i could watch them repeatedly and never get bored, and unfortunately i dont know if ill ever get the chance again,
also harvey milk crush them all was a great start to there set, i saw them last year at supersonic when they did a much longer set which was one of the best things i saw last year.

Posted by old ernie @ 05/13/2009 03:09 PM

So where the hell is this "tweet" you speak of. And, also, I really fucking want to see The Jesus Lizard now.

Posted by Lars @ 05/13/2009 12:42 PM

Wow, and Urge Overkill gets TWELVE paragraphs?

Thief.

Posted by billy @ 05/13/2009 12:37 PM

Also, for my money, nothing will ever beat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu9lUbf5GQ0

Posted by Kallen @ 05/13/2009 12:18 PM

here's a recording of the second night:
https://download.yousendit.com/U0d6V28wNXZreENGa1E9PQ

Posted by henry @ 05/13/2009 12:03 PM

Yeah, I don't get it, but whatever. I don't mean to humiliate Boche, but I do feel the need to direct some irritation towards him. Seems so petty.

Posted by henry @ 05/13/2009 12:00 PM

And I thought I held grudges...

Posted by Kallen @ 05/13/2009 11:57 AM