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 β which were more out of pragmatism and modesty than anything else β 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.
Merchandise
Fugazi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There will be no reason for us to live
But when we have nothing left to lose
You will have nothing left to use
We owe you nothing
You have no control
Merchandise keeps us in line
What could a businessman ever want more
Than to have us sucking in his store
We owe you nothing, you have no control
You are not what you own
The song Merchandise by Fugazi is a commentary on consumerism and its influence on society. The theme of the song is based on the idea that corporations use people to boost their profits, and when they no longer have anything to gain from those people, they discard them. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, stating that without anything to give, we would have no reason to live. However, the next line provides a glimmer of hope by suggesting that without anything left to lose, we would be free. The chorus expands on this theme by arguing that corporations use merchandise to keep people in line and controlling them. Additionally, they suggest that businessmen are only interested in having people continuously consume their products for profit.
The second verse continues with this theme by arguing that common sense suggests that corporations design their products and marketing strategies to lure people in and keep them coming back. They do this because the more merchandise they can sell, the more profits they can make. The line "What could a businessman ever want more than to have us sucking in his store?" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that corporations view people as being completely disposable and only interested in making a profit off them. The final verse drops the pretense entirely and asserts, "We owe you nothing, you have no control. You are not what you own." In essence, the song suggests that people are more valuable than the products they buy, and that corporations should treat them accordingly.
Line by Line Meaning
When we have nothing left to give
Once we have exhausted all resources available for consumption
There will be no reason for us to live
Our worth is determined by our level of consumption
But when we have nothing left to lose
In the event of everything being sacrificed for the sake of merchandise
You will have nothing left to use
The merchants and business owners will also run out of resources to demand
We owe you nothing
As consumers, there is no obligation to consume beyond what is necessary
You have no control
The merchants cannot force us to consume more than we wish
Merchandise keeps us in line
Consumption drives our existence
Common sense says it's by design
It is widely understood that consumerism is intentionally encouraged
What could a businessman ever want more
The ultimate desire of any merchant or business owner
Than to have us sucking in his store
Is to have consumers constantly buying from their establishment
You are not what you own
Our value as human beings should not be defined by our material possessions
Lyrics Β© ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JohnWhorphin
When asking which Fugazi album is best, the answer is yes.
Da booo
Yes
Dominique Vanheusden
Yes!
Rateofchange
saw them for $6 in '97...one of the best shows I've ever seen
Paul van Reesch
5$, UofM student center '89! Following summer in Detroit.
Husky Brutor
Agreeed 93 was the first for me. Would gladly have paid more!
Antisuyu
Honestly I'd pay $100 to see Fugazi live. But I know they are better than that
Thompter S. Hunson
You've paid 1 dollar too much.
BurghMan
@punkrockplatypus yes. They played at CMU in Pittsburgh in the Oakland area that year. I got there and it was SOLD OUT!!!! SO PISSED OFF. My buddy was a fucking douchy that had to look perfect all the time and made us late to the show!
joshua george
Back in 1993 in high school the "Repeater" tape was stuck in my car for about 6 months. I got it out one day and put it on my dashboard, and the sun melted it. I have two copies of the cd. One of my favorite albums.