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.
Joe #1
Fugazi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the future isn't here unless it is cast
Sullen nights on a screen
Searing through the break, the thoughts underneath
He is Joe, he is Joe
Joe #1
Our favorite son
Never once did you say
That I's have to pay for the reasons you'll never explain
Come down to the screen
Searing through the break, the thoughts underneath
He is Joe, he is Joe
Joe #1
Our favorite son
The first verse of Fugazi's song "Joe #1" seems to be speaking to someone who is dwelling on the past, reminding them that the future is not set unless they take action to make it so. The following line mentions sullen nights on a screen, perhaps referring to the passive consumption of media or the isolation and disconnection that can come from spending too much time alone with technology. The line "searing through the break, the thoughts underneath" suggests that beneath these surface-level distractions, there are deeper thoughts and emotions struggling to surface.
In the chorus, the lyrics shift to focus on a character named "Joe #1," who is designated as "our favorite son." It is unclear who this Joe represents, but the repetition of his name and the use of the phrase "favorite son" suggest that he holds some sort of elevated status. The second verse is directed at someone who has never explained why they demand payment for something. Again, the line "come down to the screen" suggests a disconnect or lack of communication.
Overall, "Joe #1" seems to be a commentary on our relationship with technology, media, and one another. The song suggests that we are often distracted by shiny surfaces and forgetful of what lies beneath. It also presents a message of agency, encouraging listeners to take control of their futures rather than constantly living in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Living, in the past
Stuck in the past, not fully present in the current moment
For the future isn't here unless it is cast
The future is uncertain and can only be shaped by present actions
Sullen nights on a screen
Spending lonely nights watching a screen in a somber mood
Searing through the break, the thoughts underneath
Piercing through the distractions to reach deeper thoughts and emotions
He is Joe, he is Joe
Referring to someone named Joe, emphasizing his name
Joe #1
The first and most important Joe
Our favorite son
A beloved and cherished person, possibly within a community
Never once did you say
You never communicated
That I's have to pay for the reasons you'll never explain
You will receive consequences without justification or explanation
Come down to the screen
Directing someone to look at a screen
Contributed by Penelope V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.