The Jesus Lizard has called off their upcoming 2025 tour, citing “a serious health incident affecting one of the band members.” The Austin noise-rock band was scheduled to perform in New Zealand, Australia, and Japan in October, followed by a North American run in November.
“Upon the advice of medical professionals following a serious health incident affecting one of the band members, it is considered necessary as a precautionary measure,” the group wrote on Instagram. “The band would like to convey their apologies to disappointed fans and emphasize that the affected member’s prognosis is excellent. Your understanding and support are very much appreciated as always.”
They added, “As we cannot currently project replacement dates, refunds will be available at point of purchase.”
The Jesus Lizard currently have no other scheduled shows apart from the now-cancelled dates. The band last played in Australia and New Zealand in 1998, and in Japan in 1996. They have been on the road consistently since last December following the release of Rack, their first new LP in 26 years, including performances at Primavera Festival in Porto and Barcelona.
Rack, released last September via Ipecac Records, found the band’s classic lineup of singer David Yow, guitarist Duane Denison, drummer Mac McNeilly, and bassist David Wm. Sims reuniting in the studio for the first time since 1998’s Blue. Following their initial breakup in 1999, the Jesus Lizard staged a couple of reunion tours over the past quarter-century, but it wasn’t until more recently that the group decided to reconvene in the studio.
“The other 75 percent of the band were working on ideas for songs that I didn’t really know about,” Yow told Rolling Stone. “And then they came to me with six or eight songs, and I thought they sounded really cool. I said, ‘Well, what do you want to do with this?’ They said, ‘Let’s make a record.’ So we thought, ‘What the fuck?’ I mean, it seems weird. Any kind of reenactment or reunion stuff is weird.”
He added, “We broke up in ’99, and then in 2009 we did some touring around the world, and then a few years later did some more. I don’t even know how to articulate this, but it’s sort of like fucking an old girlfriend. I love the other guys in the band, and getting to play with them again is an honor and fun. I think Rack might be our best record and we’re having fun, so, I guess, why not?”
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