Fugazi

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  • Jack Bauer
    Jack Bauer Posts: 28
    Yes, give it up for Fugazi, they don't get enough respect. I love how all their albums are different, but still amazingly good. That's why everbody has a different favorite. Fugazi is the shit.
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    Mushmouthmatt wrote:
    did you know Ian's father was a very well known and well respected columnist for the Washington Post? the guy screaming on "Out Of Step" had a very normal, suburban childhood. wonder if family money helped him start Dischord? i don't really have a major problem with this but i think it is one bit of information that alot of fans don't know.
    I'm well aware of his background, yes. Most of the DC hardcore guys had middle-class upbringings. What of it? I don't think they pretended otherwise. The lyrics are generally about personal "politics" rather than politics in the general, naive, che guevara wearing sense. Out of Step in particular. I don't really see your point. That's just about not wanting to get fucked out of your head just because your friends do. What does that have to do with normal childhood?

    As for Dischord, according to all sources I've read, Minor Disturbance by the Teen Idles was put out after they split with money made from their gigs, was distributed by mail from Ian's house, artwork made by hand and the proceeds went into further releases. Sounds pretty DIY to me and certainly not at odds with MacKaye's background. I can see how he could be taken as a preachy asshole but not as some kind of working-class punk poser. I don't think he ever tried to be that. Even Henry "I hate the world" Rollins admits he had, on the surface, a typical upbringing in terms of wealth etc. he wasn't poor. His problems stem from personal stuff clearly, which is what I think the hardcore scene was about.

    Yes, all the "We hate Reagan" stuff that a lot of the bands went on about was naive and not particularly well informed but they meant well and really, who has more of a right to moan about that shit than suburban, bored, middle-class kids from the Capital city? People who couldn't go to see a band because they weren't old enough to drink, something they didn't want to do anyway? Kids with nice upbringings are allowed strong opinions too :) Besides, Minor Threat, Embrace, Fugazi, all of Ian's stuff has always been much more personal than most of that scene's stuff. Never got involved in politics much in the musical side. The dealings of the band, sure. Why not? I don't really see why they shouldn't speak out against injustices, deal ethically and be known as a moral band :)
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    Jeremy1012 wrote:
    All amazing bands. I'm considering getting a Minor Threat tattoo, such is my love for that band :)

    I'm actually listening to Bad Brains' debut right now. Banned in DC is just one of the best songs ever.
    I am currently listening to Huskers Divide and Conquer. that Bad Brains debut is something for sure.

    Not enough good things can be said about Fugazi and all other bands mentioned in this thread. the Fugazi show I attended in '97 will neeeeeeever be forgotten.
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    transplant wrote:
    I am currently listening to Huskers Divide and Conquer. that Bad Brains debut is something for sure.

    Not enough good things can be said about Fugazi and all other bands mentioned in this thread. the Fugazi show I attended in '97 will neeeeeeever be forgotten.
    Divide and Conquer is one of my favourite songs. The way Mould manages to sing like, 8 verses before the first chorus and it still doesn't get boring is amazing.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • Mike_No_One
    Mike_No_One Posts: 53
    Fugazi is a benchmark in music. For all the pomp and hype in the music scene today no band comes close......











    ....they got their sound from Joy Division.
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    Mike_No_One wrote:
    ....they got their sound from Joy Division.
    Not really. Their sound is, in MacKaye's words, the Stooges meets reggae. I've never heard any indication that the band even like Joy Division.

    Their sound is closer to Gang of Four.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • markymark550
    markymark550 Columbia, SC Posts: 5,253
    I really respect them for their DIY approach and the ethics they have in the music industry. However, I just haven't ever been able to really get into their music at all. Every now and then I give them a try, but it's just never clicked for me. Maybe one day....
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    markymark550 wrote:
    I really respect them for their DIY approach and the ethics they have in the music industry. However, I just haven't ever been able to really get into their music at all. Every now and then I give them a try, but it's just never clicked for me. Maybe one day....
    I can understand that. I personally love them but their style is clearly not for everybody. For me, it took a long time to appreciate Guy's voice. I'm a massive fan of MacKaye and loved Minor Threat before I ever heard Fugazi so I was fine with his voice but, no matter how much I liked his singing in Rites of Spring, Guy's voice in Fugazi seemed really grating and annoying for me. I loved all the songs without him/him only on backing vocals.

    Grew on me thankfully. They have that power. Maybe one day whatever doesn't click for you will too :)
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • Mike_No_One
    Mike_No_One Posts: 53
    Jeremy1012 wrote:
    Not really. Their sound is, in MacKaye's words, the Stooges meets reggae. I've never heard any indication that the band even like Joy Division.

    Their sound is closer to Gang of Four.

    Maybe you should listen to Joy Division. And make up your own mind.
  • TiaMija
    TiaMija Posts: 597
    My emusic quota for this month will be devoted to Fugazi. I just downloaded The Argument. Which one next?
  • Jack_C_Gregory
    Jack_C_Gregory Posts: 540
    Jeremy1012 wrote:
    I'm well aware of his background, yes. Most of the DC hardcore guys had middle-class upbringings. What of it? I don't think they pretended otherwise. The lyrics are generally about personal "politics" rather than politics in the general, naive, che guevara wearing sense.


    True enough. A lot of the west coast hardcore started in places like Orange County California, and people thought how can someone be pissed and depressed in a beautiful place like Orange County. The point was you could grow up anywhere and be miserable.
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    Mike_No_One wrote:
    Maybe you should listen to Joy Division. And make up your own mind.
    hmm, well... I've liked Joy Division since I first heard Transmission in about 1993 so I think I've listened a fair bit... like, a lot. Like I own every album. And of Fugazi.

    I still don't hear the similarity.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    TiaMija wrote:
    My emusic quota for this month will be devoted to Fugazi. I just downloaded The Argument. Which one next?
    13 Songs probably. Or Repeater. I'd go with 13 Songs. They're both amazing though. Going chronologically is really the way. I wouldn't have started with The Argument but I know some people who think that's their best album.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • ealasaid76
    ealasaid76 Posts: 95
    It was Minor Threat that inspired many a punk. Ian was in that band too. He founded it. Go to Dischord.com and look at the DC history...as related to Ian and Henry.
    FREE THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE!
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  • RAT!
    RAT! Posts: 115
    if i had to pick one favorite band fugazi would probably be it
  • Kilgore_Trout
    Kilgore_Trout Posts: 7,334
    i started out listening to them just because ed said he liked them... then i realized how much i like them too! great fuckin band! in my top 10... minor threats great too
    "Senza speme vivemo in disio"

    http://seanbriceart.com/
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    Speeddiva8 wrote:
    It was Minor Threat that inspired many a punk. Ian was in that band too. He founded it. Go to Dischord.com and look at the DC history...as related to Ian and Henry.
    Probably the band I most wish I had been in, out of every band in history. I'm too young to have been there at the time but as the Minutemen said in History Lesson pt 2, "Our band could be your life". Minor Threat would have been mine.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • musicismylife78
    musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    the most ethical band of all time. These guys literally are saints.

    they havent sold out in ANY WAY!
  • julienova
    julienova Posts: 118
    I personally like Red Medicine, but most folks would say "13 Songs". I also recommend "In on the Killtaker." You'll probably buy them all in the end if you liked "the Argument."

    In addition to Minor Threat, I would also recommend Embrace (http://www.dischord.com/band/embrace). Ian also has a great band currently, the Evens, with drummer Amy Farina. I like their first album better than the second, but both are head and shoulder above what's out in commercial music land.

    Also, buy direct from http://www.dischord.com, much cheaper and just so cool to get the hand-written address and the City Paper package stuffing. No, I don't own stock in the label, but I should for all the goods I've bought direct over the years.

    There just aren't words enough to describe how remarkable Ian is, both as a person and as a musician. He and Amy have a new baby boy named Carmine, so maybe he and Ed can swap parenting tips :-)
  • julienova
    julienova Posts: 118
    SweetAndLow wrote:
    Eddie just referenced them during the DC show with his "Mt. Pleasant" song dedication. Maybe you've heard of them, but never heard them. One of the most underrated punk/un-label-able bands of all time - if only because they purposely avoided major record contracts - that literally WAS what alternative music is and had a profound influence on Eddie, Pat Smear and Rage Against The Machine.

    I'm willing to mail a cd of 25-30 songs (whatever will fit) to anyone interested, free of charge. That's how much I like Fugazi (as much as Pearl Jam). After that, you gotta buy their entire albums on your own. Email me.

    Sorry for the double post, but I'd second that completely. Not to mention Conor Oberst was influenced as well: Saddle Creek records was modeled upon Dischord.

    I've done the same thing about emailing songs to people on this board before. If you PM me, I'll throw in the live boot of the legendary Fort Reno show. Sound quality is a bit poor, because of the radio tower hum, but it contains the legendary "ice cream eating motherfucker" rant from Guy that was featured in the documentary Instrument.

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