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{{Short description|American singer}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = solo_singer
| image = David Yow.jpg
| caption = Headshot by Rivka Rivera
| image = David Yow.jpg
| birth_name = David Lambeth Yow
| caption = Headshot by Rivka Rivera
| alias =
| birth_name = David Lambeth Yow
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|8|2|mf=y}}
| alias =
| birth_place = [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|8|2|mf=y}}
| death_date =
|birth_place =[[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| genre = {{Flatlist|
| death_date =
| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[noise rock]], [[post-hardcore]]
*[[Alternative rock]]
*[[noise rock]]
*[[post-hardcore]]}}
| occupation = Musician, songwriter, actor
| occupation = Musician, songwriter, actor
| instrument = Vocals, bass
| instrument = Vocals, bass
| years_active = 1982–present
| years_active = 1982–present
| label = [[Joyful Noise Records]]<br>Rabid Cat<br>[[Touch and Go Records|Touch and Go]]<br>[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| label = [[Joyful Noise Records]]<br>Rabid Cat<br>[[Touch and Go Records|Touch and Go]]<br>[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| associated_acts = [[Scratch Acid]]<br>[[The Jesus Lizard]]<br>[[Qui (band)|Qui]]<br>[[Flipper (band)|Flipper]]
}}
}}
'''David Yow''' (born August 2, 1960) is an American musician and actor born in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]] and best known as the vocalist for the [[noise rock]] bands [[Scratch Acid]] and [[The Jesus Lizard]]. Yow's debut solo album, ''[[Tonight You Look Like a Spider]]'', was released in June 2013 on [[Joyful Noise Records]].
'''David Yow''' (born August 2, 1960) is an American musician and actor born in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]] and best known as the vocalist for the [[noise rock]] bands [[Scratch Acid]] and [[the Jesus Lizard]]. Yow's debut solo album, ''[[Tonight You Look Like a Spider]]'', was released in June 2013 on [[Joyful Noise Records]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
In 1982, Yow formed the [[Austin]], [[Texas]]-based [[punk rock|punk]]/noise rock group Scratch Acid. The group's initial lineup featured Steve Anderson (vocals), [[David Wm. Sims]] (guitar), Brett Bradford (guitar), Yow (bass), and [[Rey Washam]] (drums). Anderson was kicked out of the band early in their career, prompting Yow to move to vocals and Sims to move to bass. After releasing three albums and developing a strong following, the group disbanded in 1987.
In 1982, Yow formed the [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], [[Texas]]–based [[punk rock|punk]]/noise rock group Scratch Acid. The group's initial lineup featured Steve Anderson (vocals), [[David Wm. Sims]] (guitar), Brett Bradford (guitar), Yow (bass), and [[Rey Washam]] (drums). Anderson was kicked out of the band early in their career, prompting Yow to move to vocals and Sims to move to bass. After releasing three albums and developing a strong following, the group disbanded in 1987.


Yow and Sims next formed The Jesus Lizard in 1987 with guitarist [[Duane Denison]]. The trio relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1989. They used a [[drum machine]] for their earliest recordings and performances before adding drummer [[Mac McNeilly]] after recording their first EP ''[[Pure (1989 album)|Pure]]''. Yow achieved wide notoriety for playing shows completely drunk and incoherent. Of touring with Jesus Lizard, Yow said: "I enjoyed writing songs and acting like an idiot with those guys. To make enough money to support ourselves." The Jesus Lizard eventually landed a spot on the [[Lollapalooza]] tour and signed to [[Capitol Records]], despite earning little commercial success. During the course of their career, The Jesus Lizard released [[The Jesus Lizard#Studio albums|six studio albums]] (the last of which featured [[Jim Kimball]] replacing McNeilly), three EPs and a live album before breaking up in 1999.
Yow and Sims next formed the Jesus Lizard in 1987 with guitarist [[Duane Denison]]. The trio relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1989. They used a [[drum machine]] for their earliest recordings and performances before adding drummer [[Mac McNeilly]] after recording their first EP ''[[Pure (1989 album)|Pure]]''. Yow achieved wide notoriety for playing shows completely drunk and incoherent. Of touring with Jesus Lizard, Yow said: "I enjoyed writing songs and acting like an idiot with those guys to make enough money to support ourselves." The Jesus Lizard eventually landed a spot on the [[Lollapalooza]] tour and signed to [[Capitol Records]], despite earning little commercial success. During the course of their career, the Jesus Lizard released [[The Jesus Lizard#Studio albums|six studio albums]], three EPs and a live album before breaking up in 1999.


In 1995, Yow collaborated with [[Helmet (band)|Helmet]] on a cover version of "[[Custard Pie]]" for ''[[Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin]]''.
In 1995, Yow collaborated with [[Helmet (band)|Helmet]] on a cover version of "[[Custard Pie]]" for ''[[Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin]]''.


In 2006, Yow, Sims, Washam and Bradford reformed Scratch Acid for the [[Touch and Go Records]] 25th Anniversary Festival in Chicago. They also performed a series of reunion shows in Austin (09/02/06), Chicago (09/09/06), and [[Seattle]] (09/16/06).
In 2006, Yow, Sims, Washam and Bradford reformed Scratch Acid for the [[Touch and Go Records]] 25th Anniversary Festival in Chicago. They also performed a series of reunion shows in Austin, Chicago, and Seattle.


In late 2006, Yow officially joined the two-piece Los Angeles band [[Qui (band)|Qui]] as a full-time member, after playing several shows as a "special guest." Of his two bandmates, Yow said: "Well, they're both just fucking brilliant, y'know? I have never in all my years in the music industry encountered two guys with more talent, more vision ... and who are as driven to greatness as these two are." On January 25, 2008, Yow was hospitalized in [[Pittsburgh]] with a collapsed lung, following a [[Wrekmeister Harmonies]] performance at the [[Andy Warhol Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kharas|first1=Kev|title=David Yow hospitalised with collapsed lung|url=http://drownedinsound.com/news/2857228-david-yow-hospitalised-with-collapsed-lung|website=Drowned in Sound|publisher=Drowned in Sound}}</ref> He was released from hospital a few days later.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kharas|first1=Kev|title=David Yow out of hospital, but Qui guitarist suffers three strokes|url=http://drownedinsound.com/news/2871999|website=Drowned in Sound|publisher=Drowned in Sound}}</ref>
In late 2006, Yow officially joined the two-piece Los Angeles band [[Qui (band)|Qui]] as a full-time member, after playing several shows as a "special guest." Of his two bandmates, Yow said: "Well, they're both just fucking brilliant, y'know? I have never in all my years in the music industry encountered two guys with more talent, more vision ... and who are as driven to greatness as these two are." On January 25, 2008, Yow was hospitalized in [[Pittsburgh]] with a collapsed lung, following a [[Wrekmeister Harmonies]] performance at the [[Andy Warhol Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kharas|first1=Kev|title=David Yow hospitalised with collapsed lung|url=http://drownedinsound.com/news/2857228-david-yow-hospitalised-with-collapsed-lung|website=Drowned in Sound|access-date=September 13, 2014|archive-date=January 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130093635/http://drownedinsound.com/news/2857228-david-yow-hospitalised-with-collapsed-lung|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was released from hospital a few days later.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kharas|first1=Kev|title=David Yow out of hospital, but Qui guitarist suffers three strokes|url=http://drownedinsound.com/news/2871999|website=Drowned in Sound|access-date=March 16, 2009|archive-date=July 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726023303/http://drownedinsound.com/news/2871999|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In 2008, The Jesus Lizard reformed with the classic lineup and embarked on several tours. They again lapsed into inactivity at the end of the following year.
In 2008, the Jesus Lizard reformed with the classic lineup and embarked on several tours. They again lapsed into inactivity at the end of the following year.


In 2015, Yow performed two shows with [[Flipper (band)|Flipper]], substituting for vocalist Bruce Loose who had to retire from live performance due to health issues. Yow reprised his role with Flipper for the band's 40th Anniversary Tour in 2019, with the shows being openly billed as Flipper with David Yow.
Yow has also appeared live with other bands, including [[Cop Shoot Cop]], [[Shellac (band)|Shellac]], [[The Dicks]], [[The Melvins]], [[Girls Against Boys]] and has contributed vocals to various albums and recordings by [[Helmet (band)|Helmet]], [[The Melvins]], [[Pigface]], Model/Actress, and others.


Yow has also appeared live with other bands, including [[Cop Shoot Cop]], [[Shellac (band)|Shellac]], [[the Dicks]], [[the Melvins]], [[Girls Against Boys]] and has contributed vocals to various albums and recordings by [[Helmet (band)|Helmet]], [[Pigface]], and others.
According to his close friend and recording engineer [[Steve Albini]], Yow is an accomplished cook and has worked in several restaurants in Austin and Chicago.<ref>[http://www.gourmandizer.com/ezine/albini/ Steve Albini Talks of Food<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Yow also has an extensive resume of graphic design work. He is known in his field for retouching photographs and is a former employee of [[Upshot]], an advertising agency. Yow also recorded a commentary track for [[Tool (band)|Tool]]'s DVD single "[[Schism (song)|Schism]]" in 2005. He appears as an actor in a few movies, including ''[[I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore]]'', ''[[Southbound (2015 film)|Southbound]]'', ''[[Entertainment (2015 film)|Entertainment]]'', ''[[Under the Silver Lake]]'' and ''[[Big Money Rustlas]]'', with [[Insane Clown Posse]].


Yow has appeared in two music videos for punk supergroup [[Off!|OFF!]], 2014's "Hypnotized" (as a Hollywood street performer) and 2021's "Holier Than Thou" (as a corrupt Catholic priest).
His first New York solo art show opened at Fuse Gallery on August 2011 and ran until September 21, 2011.

According to his close friend and recording engineer [[Steve Albini]], Yow is an accomplished cook and has worked in several restaurants in Austin and Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gourmandizer.com/ezine/albini/|title=Steve Albini Talks of Food|website=Gourmandizer.com|access-date=March 26, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818084742/http://www.gourmandizer.com/ezine/albini/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Yow also has an extensive resume of graphic design work. He is known in his field for retouching photographs and is a former employee of [[Upshot]], an advertising agency. Yow also recorded a commentary track for [[Tool (band)|Tool]]'s DVD single "[[Schism (song)|Schism]]" in 2005. He appears as an actor in a few movies, including ''[[I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore]]'', ''[[Southbound (2015 film)|Southbound]]'', ''[[Entertainment (2015 film)|Entertainment]]'', ''[[Dinner in America]]'', ''[[Under the Silver Lake]]'' and ''[[Big Money Rustlas]]'', with [[Insane Clown Posse]].

His first New York solo art show opened at Fuse Gallery in August 2011 and ran until September 21, 2011.


In 2013, Yow released a solo album that had been in production for almost 15 years on [[Joyful Noise Recordings]]. The album—titled ''[[Tonight You Look Like a Spider]]''—was released in a limited edition, where the vinyl album was delivered inside of a concrete monolith, instead of a normal record sleeve. Yow stated that he'd been inspired to do the album by [[Mike Patton]], and described his compositional process in an amusing anecdote:
In 2013, Yow released a solo album that had been in production for almost 15 years on [[Joyful Noise Recordings]]. The album—titled ''[[Tonight You Look Like a Spider]]''—was released in a limited edition, where the vinyl album was delivered inside of a concrete monolith, instead of a normal record sleeve. Yow stated that he'd been inspired to do the album by [[Mike Patton]], and described his compositional process in an amusing anecdote:


"I rented a saxophone for 2 months, I borrowed some guitars and some drums, I rummaged through the kitchen, I squeezed a fat cat, I poked and prodded and ended up with my very own music. It’s real good, if you like that kind of shit. I named it Tonight You Look Like A Spider after a spider I saw one night."<ref name="joyfulnoiserecordings.com/journal">{{cite web|title="How My Solo Album Happened"|url=http://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/journal/how-my-solo-album-happened/|accessdate=May 8, 2013}}</ref>
"I rented a saxophone for 2 months, I borrowed some guitars and some drums, I rummaged through the kitchen, I squeezed a fat cat, I poked and prodded and ended up with my very own music. It’s real good, if you like that kind of shit. I named it Tonight You Look Like A Spider after a spider I saw one night."<ref name="joyfulnoiserecordings.com/journal">{{cite web|title="How My Solo Album Happened"|url=http://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/journal/how-my-solo-album-happened/|website=Joyfulnoiserecordings.com|access-date=May 8, 2013}}</ref>


Yow is an avid cat lover and has drawn cats for the last 30 years. In 2014, [[Akashic Books]] released a compilation of Yow's cat illustrations called ''Copycat: And a Litter of Other Cats''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dodero|first1=Camille|title=Q&A: David Yow on Cats|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/08/qa-david-yow-on-cats/|website=SPIN|publisher=SPIN|accessdate=September 13, 2014}}</ref> Yow also exclusively interviewed [[Lil Bub]] for [[The A.V. Club]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Modell|first1=Josh|title=Q&A: David Yow of The Jesus Lizard interviews Lil Bub, a cat from outer space|url=https://aux.avclub.com/david-yow-of-the-jesus-lizard-interviews-lil-bub-a-cat-1798163429|website=The A.V. Club|publisher=The A.V. Club|accessdate=May 7, 2018}}</ref>
Yow is an avid cat lover and has drawn cats for the last 30 years. In 2014, [[Akashic Books]] released a compilation of Yow's cat illustrations called ''Copycat: And a Litter of Other Cats''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dodero|first1=Camille|title=Q&A: David Yow on Cats|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/08/qa-david-yow-on-cats/|website=SPIN|date=August 5, 2014|access-date=September 13, 2014}}</ref> Yow also exclusively interviewed [[Lil Bub]] for ''[[The A.V. Club]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Modell|first1=Josh|title=Q&A: David Yow of The Jesus Lizard interviews Lil Bub, a cat from outer space|url=https://aux.avclub.com/david-yow-of-the-jesus-lizard-interviews-lil-bub-a-cat-1798163429|website=The A.V. Club|date=September 2, 2014 |access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
Line 55: Line 62:
! Role
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|2010
|''[[Big Money Rustlas]]''
|Piano Player
!
|-
|2015
|''[[Southbound (2015 film)|Southbound]]''
|Danny
!
|-
|-
|2017
|2017
|[[I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore]]
|''[[I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore]]''
|Marshall
|Marshall
!
!
Line 67: Line 84:
|-
|-
|2019
|2019
| ''[[Rattlesnake (film)|Rattlesnake]]''
| ''[[Rattlesnake (2019 film)|Rattlesnake]]''
| Charlie
| Charlie
!
|
|-
|2020
| ''[[Dinner in America]]''
| Eddie Sorvino
!
|-
|2021
| "Holier than Thou"
| Preacher
! Music video for the band [[Off!|OFF!]]
|-
|2023
| ''[[The Toxic Avenger (2023 film)|The Toxic Avenger]]''
| Guthrie Stockins
!
|-
|2024
| ''[[Cover Your Ears]]''
| Himself
! documentary directed by ''[[Sean Patrick Shaul]]''
|-
|-
|}
|}


==Notes==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 81: Line 118:
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090726034539/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=115&csid2=6&fid1=27551 David Yow questionnaire] October 2007
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090726034539/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=115&csid2=6&fid1=27551 David Yow questionnaire] October 2007
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090129133621/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/48302-david-yow-hospitalized-qui-cancel-tour Pitchfork article]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090129133621/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/48302-david-yow-hospitalized-qui-cancel-tour Pitchfork article]
*[http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-09-25/music/restraining-the-lizard/ Village Voice article]
*[http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-09-25/music/restraining-the-lizard/ Village Voice article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022033244/http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-09-25/music/restraining-the-lizard/ |date=October 22, 2008 }}


{{Scratch Acid}}
{{Scratch Acid}}

Latest revision as of 18:41, 2 February 2024

David Yow
Headshot by Rivka Rivera
Headshot by Rivka Rivera
Background information
Birth nameDavid Lambeth Yow
Born (1960-08-02) August 2, 1960 (age 63)
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, actor
Instrument(s)Vocals, bass
Years active1982–present
LabelsJoyful Noise Records
Rabid Cat
Touch and Go
Capitol

David Yow (born August 2, 1960) is an American musician and actor born in Las Vegas, Nevada and best known as the vocalist for the noise rock bands Scratch Acid and the Jesus Lizard. Yow's debut solo album, Tonight You Look Like a Spider, was released in June 2013 on Joyful Noise Records.

Biography[edit]

In 1982, Yow formed the Austin, Texas–based punk/noise rock group Scratch Acid. The group's initial lineup featured Steve Anderson (vocals), David Wm. Sims (guitar), Brett Bradford (guitar), Yow (bass), and Rey Washam (drums). Anderson was kicked out of the band early in their career, prompting Yow to move to vocals and Sims to move to bass. After releasing three albums and developing a strong following, the group disbanded in 1987.

Yow and Sims next formed the Jesus Lizard in 1987 with guitarist Duane Denison. The trio relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1989. They used a drum machine for their earliest recordings and performances before adding drummer Mac McNeilly after recording their first EP Pure. Yow achieved wide notoriety for playing shows completely drunk and incoherent. Of touring with Jesus Lizard, Yow said: "I enjoyed writing songs and acting like an idiot with those guys to make enough money to support ourselves." The Jesus Lizard eventually landed a spot on the Lollapalooza tour and signed to Capitol Records, despite earning little commercial success. During the course of their career, the Jesus Lizard released six studio albums, three EPs and a live album before breaking up in 1999.

In 1995, Yow collaborated with Helmet on a cover version of "Custard Pie" for Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin.

In 2006, Yow, Sims, Washam and Bradford reformed Scratch Acid for the Touch and Go Records 25th Anniversary Festival in Chicago. They also performed a series of reunion shows in Austin, Chicago, and Seattle.

In late 2006, Yow officially joined the two-piece Los Angeles band Qui as a full-time member, after playing several shows as a "special guest." Of his two bandmates, Yow said: "Well, they're both just fucking brilliant, y'know? I have never in all my years in the music industry encountered two guys with more talent, more vision ... and who are as driven to greatness as these two are." On January 25, 2008, Yow was hospitalized in Pittsburgh with a collapsed lung, following a Wrekmeister Harmonies performance at the Andy Warhol Museum.[1] He was released from hospital a few days later.[2]

In 2008, the Jesus Lizard reformed with the classic lineup and embarked on several tours. They again lapsed into inactivity at the end of the following year.

In 2015, Yow performed two shows with Flipper, substituting for vocalist Bruce Loose who had to retire from live performance due to health issues. Yow reprised his role with Flipper for the band's 40th Anniversary Tour in 2019, with the shows being openly billed as Flipper with David Yow.

Yow has also appeared live with other bands, including Cop Shoot Cop, Shellac, the Dicks, the Melvins, Girls Against Boys and has contributed vocals to various albums and recordings by Helmet, Pigface, and others.

Yow has appeared in two music videos for punk supergroup OFF!, 2014's "Hypnotized" (as a Hollywood street performer) and 2021's "Holier Than Thou" (as a corrupt Catholic priest).

According to his close friend and recording engineer Steve Albini, Yow is an accomplished cook and has worked in several restaurants in Austin and Chicago.[3] Yow also has an extensive resume of graphic design work. He is known in his field for retouching photographs and is a former employee of Upshot, an advertising agency. Yow also recorded a commentary track for Tool's DVD single "Schism" in 2005. He appears as an actor in a few movies, including I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore, Southbound, Entertainment, Dinner in America, Under the Silver Lake and Big Money Rustlas, with Insane Clown Posse.

His first New York solo art show opened at Fuse Gallery in August 2011 and ran until September 21, 2011.

In 2013, Yow released a solo album that had been in production for almost 15 years on Joyful Noise Recordings. The album—titled Tonight You Look Like a Spider—was released in a limited edition, where the vinyl album was delivered inside of a concrete monolith, instead of a normal record sleeve. Yow stated that he'd been inspired to do the album by Mike Patton, and described his compositional process in an amusing anecdote:

"I rented a saxophone for 2 months, I borrowed some guitars and some drums, I rummaged through the kitchen, I squeezed a fat cat, I poked and prodded and ended up with my very own music. It’s real good, if you like that kind of shit. I named it Tonight You Look Like A Spider after a spider I saw one night."[4]

Yow is an avid cat lover and has drawn cats for the last 30 years. In 2014, Akashic Books released a compilation of Yow's cat illustrations called Copycat: And a Litter of Other Cats.[5] Yow also exclusively interviewed Lil Bub for The A.V. Club.[6]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2010 Big Money Rustlas Piano Player
2015 Southbound Danny
2017 I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore Marshall
2018 Under the Silver Lake Homeless King
2019 Rattlesnake Charlie
2020 Dinner in America Eddie Sorvino
2021 "Holier than Thou" Preacher Music video for the band OFF!
2023 The Toxic Avenger Guthrie Stockins
2024 Cover Your Ears Himself documentary directed by Sean Patrick Shaul

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kharas, Kev. "David Yow hospitalised with collapsed lung". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  2. ^ Kharas, Kev. "David Yow out of hospital, but Qui guitarist suffers three strokes". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on July 26, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  3. ^ "Steve Albini Talks of Food". Gourmandizer.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  4. ^ ""How My Solo Album Happened"". Joyfulnoiserecordings.com. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  5. ^ Dodero, Camille (August 5, 2014). "Q&A: David Yow on Cats". SPIN. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  6. ^ Modell, Josh (September 2, 2014). "Q&A: David Yow of The Jesus Lizard interviews Lil Bub, a cat from outer space". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 7, 2018.

External links[edit]