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.
By You
Fugazi Lyrics
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You'd make them all the same but molds
They break away safely inside looking outside
Go keep on picking at it it's just going
To get bigger not yet an also-ran the note
Left in your hand is by you asked to cease
And desist what aggravation preordained it
Get up again where's my life you're in
Control like you don't know don't say
You're along for the ride sitting down
When you should stand the line is in your
Hand and it's by you hand over hand over hand
The lyrics of Fugazi's song "By You" reflect on the generation gap and how the older generation is trying to fit all individuals in a certain mold. The phrase "Generation fuck you" suggests a rebellious attitude towards being told how to live, act or think. The lyrics highlight how each individual is unique and cannot be defined and redefined by societal standards.
The line "they break away safely inside looking outside" suggests the feeling of being trapped while conforming to the norms of society, but also being safe from the consequences of standing out. The line "Go keep on picking at it it's just going to get bigger" indicates that fighting against conformism can lead to something bigger than oneself. The note in your hand being "by you" asks us to take control of our own lives and not be swayed by others.
Overall, the lyrics of "By You" convey a message of individuality and standing up against societal norms. The song encourages listeners to take control of their own lives and not to conform. It suggests that the line is in our hands and we should take control of our lives, hand over hand over hand.
Line by Line Meaning
Generation fuck you to define and redefine
The current generation is rebellious and seeks to challenge norms and redefine them in their own way.
You'd make them all the same but molds
The older generation wants to make everyone conform to their standards and fit into predetermined molds.
They break away safely inside looking outside
People break away from the pressure to conform by finding sanctuary within themselves but still feel the pressure from the outside world.
Go keep on picking at it it's just going to get bigger not yet an also-ran the note left in your hand is by you asked to cease
The rebellion will continue to grow and won't die out soon. The person holding onto the note is responsible for stopping it but doesn't want to.
And desist what aggravation preordained it feels so good laying down I won't ask to get up again
It's easier to give in to pressure to conform but it feels unfulfilling and limiting.
Where's my life you're in control like you don't know don't say you're along for the ride
The older generation exerts too much control over the younger generation without acknowledging it or taking responsibility for it.
Sitting down when you should stand the line is in your hand and it's by you hand over hand over hand
The younger generation needs to take agency and stand up for their values; they have the power to draw the line and take control of their own lives.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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