The saga of The Jesus Lizard begins in Texas. Vocalist David Yow and bassist David Wm. Sims were in the seminal Austin, Texas band Scratch Acid whose exploits are now legendary. Both moved to Chicago after Scratch Acid's demise where Sims played in Rapeman. Sims began playing with guitarist Duane Denison (Cargo Cult) and the two recruited Yow to do some singing... thus The Jesus Lizard was born. The Jesus Lizard helped create "alternative" rock, but kept it anchored to reality, refusing to be taken in by corporate marketing strategies.