The Jesus Lizard have unleashed a new standalone single called “Westside.” The track is the second non-album song to be unveiled since the September release of the band’s comeback LP, Rack.
“Westside” follows “Cost of Living,” the previous standalone single that was released in November. While neither track made the album, the two songs are connected.
Guitarist Duane Denison explained, “‘Westside’ goes along with the previous single, ‘Cost of Living,” which was subconsciously influenced by Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story and hence the name. Really.”
Singer David Yow noted a reference to legendary filmmaker David Lynch, who passed away last week. “There is a part in ‘Westside’ where the lyrics say, ‘… give him back his arm,’” stated Yow. “That was inspired by David Lynch’s Lost Highway, when Robert Blake’s character says, ‘Give me back my phone.’”
“Westside” arrives ahead of the Jesus Lizard’s upcoming west coast US tour. The outing kicks off May 2nd in Solana Beach, California, and runs through a two-night stand in Seattle on May 10th and 11th, with tickets available here. That jaunt will be followed by a run of European dates that begins May 17th in Paris.
Rack — which landed on our list of the Best Metal & Hard Rock Albums of 2024 — marked the Jesus Lizard’s first album in 26 years. The influential noise-rock band initially broke up in 1999, then reunited from 2008 to 2010 before disbanding again. They re-formed once again in 2017, and have been playing shows ever since.
Take a listen to the new song “Westside” below.