Fugazi is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Washington, D.C., i… Read Full Bio ↴Fugazi is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Washington, D.C., in 1986. The band consists of guitarists and vocalists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally, and drummer Brendan Canty. They are noted for their style-transcending music, DIY ethical stance, manner of business practice and contempt for the music industry.

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.

Ex-Spectator
Fugazi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Looking for cars and mortality
Trying to find some sort of geometry
Avoiding mistakes
Keep an eye on every step I take

Everything is building and it appears
That you're all architects and engineers
That's how it looks

That's how it looks from here

I'm an ex-spectator
Can't you see?
I'm an ex-spectator
Never let my vision get in the way of

Here's some questions that the writer sent:
Can an observer be a participant?
Have I seen too much?
Does it count if it doesn't touch?

If the view is all I can ascertain
Pure understanding is out of range
If I make that call
Why can't I make that change?

I'm an ex-spectator
Can't you see?
I'm an ex-spectator

Never let my vision get in the way of
Me

Overall Meaning

"Ex-Spectator" is a song by American post-hardcore band Fugazi, released in 1995. The lyrics express a sense of detachment and confusion, as the singer struggles to reconcile their role as an observer with their desire for meaningful action. The opening lines, "Looking for cars and mortality / Trying to find some sort of geometry", suggest a search for order and meaning in a chaotic world. The singer is wary of making mistakes and trying to avoid missteps, but is also frustrated by their own inability to effect change. The chorus, "I'm an ex-spectator / Can't you see? / I'm an ex-spectator / Never let my vision get in the way of me", highlights the singer's conflicted position as both an observer and a participant.

The song raises questions about the nature of observation and participation. Can someone who is simply observing truly be considered a participant? Have we seen too much or not enough? Does simply observing something count if it doesn't have a direct impact on our lives? The lyrics suggest that there may be other ways to participate beyond direct action, but the singer remains unsure of how to effect meaningful change.

Fugazi's music is often associated with anarchism, and "Ex-Spectator" touches on themes of political and social activism. The band is also known for their DIY ethos, refusing to sign with major record labels and keeping their shows affordable and accessible. The song's questioning of activism and political participation reflects Fugazi's own critical engagement with the punk and hardcore scenes they emerged from.

Line by Line Meaning

Looking for cars and mortality
Searching for tangible physical things as well as deeper meaning

Trying to find some sort of geometry
Seeking structure and order amidst chaos

Avoiding mistakes
Being cautious and careful to prevent errors and regrets

Keep an eye on every step I take
Being hyper-aware of every action and consequence

Everything is building and it appears
All aspects of life seem to be getting stronger and more influential

That you're all architects and engineers
Everyone seems to be in control of their own destiny

That's how it looks
This is only the surface-level observation

That's how it looks from here
Limited perspective breeds limited understanding

I'm an ex-spectator
I used to be an observer, but not anymore

Can't you see?
Asking others to acknowledge the change in perspective

Never let my vision get in the way of
Not allowing preconceived notions to hinder further growth and development