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.
No Surprise
Fugazi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you feel the same way too?
Siphon fuel don't make a sound
And most of all don't let me down
It comes as no surprise
We're destabilized
Lock eyes shared plan
Defile define critique and salve
No C.I.A. no N.S.A
No satellite could map our veins
The lyrics of Fugazi's song "No Surprise" can be interpreted as a call to action against the establishment, urging people to resist authority and not let themselves be held down by those in power. The lines "Hey what's your name?/Do you feel the same way too?" can be seen as a call to arms, a way of asking people if they are also feeling frustrated and disillusioned by the state of the world. The lines "Siphon fuel don't make a sound/And most of all don't let me down" could be interpreted as a nod to the need for secrecy and solidarity in underground movements.
The chorus, "It comes as no surprise/We're destabilized," could be seen as a way of acknowledging the chaos and instability that pervades modern society, and suggesting that this is a result of people waking up to the reality of their situation and fighting back against oppression. The lines "Lock eyes shared plan/No C.I.A. could understand/Defile define critique and salve/No C.I.A. no N.S.A/No satellite could map our veins" imply that the movement Fugazi is calling for is one that values true connection and meaning, one that is not afraid to critique the powers that be and offer solutions that are not necessarily sanctioned by the mainstream.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey what's your name?
Introducing oneself and asking for the other person's name.
Do you feel the same way too?
Inquiring if the other person shares the same sentiment or view.
Siphon fuel don't make a sound
Take fuel without attracting attention or alerting anyone.
And most of all don't let me down
Above all, do not disappoint or betray one's trust.
It comes as no surprise
It is not unexpected or shocking.
We're destabilized
We are uncertain and unbalanced.
Lock eyes shared plan
Make eye contact and have a common strategy or purpose.
No C.I.A. could understand
No government agency could comprehend or intercept our communication.
Defile define critique and salve
Analyzing and healing our experiences, both negative and positive.
No C.I.A. no N.S.A
Neither the Central Intelligence Agency nor the National Security Agency could surveil us.
No satellite could map our veins
Technology cannot reveal or trace our intimate feelings and emotions.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shelbydavis1173
Honestly their arrangements and instrumentation were so good. Fugazi was one of the best bands ever.
@nickn2794
Shelby Davis I think this is their best album, I don't get why many fans underrate it so much.
@dj-um7el
Was? Still is!
@goat_horde
Its very nice to find out about this band for the very first time in 2018...fuck where has this been all my life!
@amelzon1
The song has such a patience behind it whilst the ultimate message is the most urgent thing ever.
@iojancraif8459
Tremenda canción !
@connorh2619
I loved picking shrooms and listening to all these albums last year
@matrocious
connor h you picked shrooms and did how with them - pretending they were you, fucking your girlfriend or something
@nickn2794
shrooms can 'cause you a mental breakdown that can lead to schizophrenia. You're not very clever. You don't need those to enjoy good music.
@marcel1372
@nick n how can you say that, fugazi explicitly encouraged psychedelic exploration. In fact, a "fugazi" is a type of psychoactive and rare mushroom