Since its inception, Fugazi has been self-managed and have released almost all their material through Dischord Records, an independent label founded by MacKaye and partner Jeff Nelson in 1980. The band maintained a policy of affordable access to their work through low record and ticket prices and all-ages concerts.
Says AMG All Music Guide, "Along with their stridently underground ethics — which were more out of pragmatism and modesty than anything else — they gained an extremely loyal and numerous global following. To many, Fugazi meant as much to them as Bob Dylan did to their parents."
They played their first show in the fall of 1987 and since then released 7 albums and toured the world extensively covering all 50 United States, Europe, Australia, South America, Japan and many points in between.
In addition to their recorded output Fugazi released a documentary film/video called "Instrument" in collaboration with independent filmmaker, Jem Cohen. The feature length video offers a documentary overview of the the band's career with footage shot in a variety of formats over the last 10 years combining concert, tour and studio material backed with a musical soundtrack by the band unique to the movie.
Fugazi's last musical releases were The Argument, a 10 song LP, and Furniture, a 3 song single, released in the Fall of 2001. These sessions marked the first studio appearance of long time roadie and second drummer Jerry Busher who played additional drums and percussion on a number of the tracks on both releases. The recordings were once again made in collaboration with long time Fugazi engineer Don Zientara at Inner Ear studios.
Prior to forming Fugazi, the members of the band played in various other bands with releases available on Dischord.
Fugazi are currently on hiatus as of 2002, with Mackaye in The Evens, Picciotto having produced various bands including Blonde Redhead and The Blood Brothers, and Lally playing with John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer on both Ataxia releases and working on a solo album.
Bulldog Front
Fugazi Lyrics
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My analysis: it's time to harvest the crust from your eyes
To surge and refine, to rage and define
Ourselves against your line
so sorry, friend, but you must resign
You want to figure it out?
We'll throw down, we'll throw down
You want to figure it out?
Bold bold mouthtalking
Not so bold now that you've eaten your own lips
Flecked, mouthspecked, you strip the skin right off of the bone
And I would never say you act without precision or care
But, it's all attention to armor, to the armor you wear
So, well, let's knock and check to see if there's somebody home
The first line of the song, "A historical - you think this shit just dropped right out of the sky," is a callout to anyone who believes that things just happen without any historical context. The singer then encourages the listener to open their eyes and see the reality of the situation. The following lines, "To surge and refine, to rage and define/Ourselves against your line/so sorry, friend, but you must resign," suggest a desire to take action and make a change. The singer is saying that it's time to refine themselves, rage against the opposition, and push them out.
The chorus, "You want to figure it out?/We'll throw down, we'll throw down/You want to figure it out?/Well, throw down your bulldog front," appears to be a challenge to those who are still not convinced. The singer is saying that they're willing to fight and get to the bottom of the issue. The "bulldog front" likely refers to a tough, aggressive exterior that someone puts up to intimidate others.
The next verse, "Bold bold mouthtalking/Not so bold now that you've eaten your own lips/Flecked, mouthspecked, you strip the skin right off of the bone," seems to be directed at someone specifically. The singer is saying that this person talks a big game but is now quiet because they've been caught in a lie or have been proven wrong. The imagery of "eating your own lips" and "stripping the skin right off the bone" suggests a painful, uncomfortable situation.
The final lines, "And I would never say you act without precision or care/But, it's all attention to armor, to the armor you wear/So, well, let's knock and check to see if there's somebody home," suggest that the person in question is very meticulous and careful in their actions, but is using this precision to protect themselves rather than engaging with others. The singer is saying that they want to break down that armor and get to the real person underneath.
Line by Line Meaning
A historical - you think this shit just dropped right out of the sky
This is not new, you just need to open your eyes and acknowledge its existence
My analysis: it's time to harvest the crust from your eyes
My interpretation is for you to open your mind and see the truth
To surge and refine, to rage and define
To improve and define ourselves through intense emotions
Ourselves against your line
We are opposing your position or ideology
So sorry, friend, but you must resign
We need to part ways due to our differing beliefs
You want to figure it out?
Do you want to understand or comprehend something?
We'll throw down, we'll throw down
We'll settle it through conflict or a challenge
Well, throw down your bulldog front
Drop the aggressive and confrontational attitude
Bold bold mouthtalking
Speaking boldly and fearlessly without substance
Not so bold now that you've eaten your own lips
Unable to speak confidently or without stutter due to nervousness
Flecked, mouthspecked, you strip the skin right off of the bone
Talking incessantly without substance and your words are meaningless
And I would never say you act without precision or care
I wouldn't accuse you of carelessness or imprecision
But, it's all attention to armor, to the armor you wear
You are only concerned with protecting yourself and your reputation
So, well, let's knock and check to see if there's somebody home
Let's investigate if you are truly genuine or just putting up a facade
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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