Complete List Of Fugazi Albums And Discography

Feature Photo: Tim Trentham from Austin, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Fugazi was an American post-hardcore band first formed in Washington D.C. in 1987. The band was renowned for its staunch DIY ethic and its influence on the post-hardcore and indie rock scenes. The original lineup consisted of Ian MacKaye (vocals and guitar), previously of the hardcore band Minor Threat, Guy Picciotto (vocals and guitar), Joe Lally (bass), and Brendan Canty (drums). Fugazi’s sound was a powerful blend of punk, hardcore, and indie rock, marked by a strong political and social consciousness.

The band released a total of six studio albums: 13 Songs (1989, a compilation of the Fugazi EP and Margin Walker EP), Repeater (1990), Steady Diet of Nothing (1991), In on the Kill Taker (1993), Red Medicine (1995), and The Argument (2001). Fugazi was known for its extensive touring and prolific live performances, resulting in a series of official live albums released through their own Dischord Records label, totaling over 30 live recordings. Their studio albums, particularly Repeater and In on the Kill Taker, achieved significant success in the underground music scene, with In on the Kill Taker selling over 160,000 copies and charting on the Billboard 200. Fugazi’s approach to music and touring, keeping ticket and album prices low and refusing commercial sponsorship, earned them a dedicated following. However, the band did not seek or receive mainstream music awards, staying true to their independent roots.

Despite their significant influence on the music scene, Fugazi eschewed mainstream success and operated with a strong DIY ethic. Their business model, which emphasized low record prices, affordable concerts, and an anti-corporate stance, was groundbreaking and influential. The band went on indefinite hiatus in 2003.

13 Songs

Released 1989

13 Songs is a compilation album by American post-hardcore band Fugazi, formed in Washington D.C. It combined the tracks from Fugazi’s debut EP “Fugazi” (1988) and its follow-up, “Margin Walker” (1989). This album showcased the band’s early sound, characterized by its raw energy, rhythmic complexity, and socio-political lyrics. Fugazi was known for its DIY ethic, and this album was no exception.

The band at this time consisted of Ian MacKaye on vocals and guitar, Guy Picciotto on vocals and guitar, Joe Lally on bass, and Brendan Canty on drums. 13 Songs was produced by Ted Niceley and Fugazi, and recorded at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia, throughout 1988 and 1989. The album quickly became an underground success, laying the groundwork for Fugazi’s influential career.

CD Track Listings:

“Waiting Room” – 2:53
“Bulldog Front” – 2:53
“Bad Mouth” – 2:35
“Burning” – 2:39
“Give Me the Cure” – 2:58
“Suggestion” – 4:44
“Glue Man” – 4:20
“Margin Walker” – 2:29
“And the Same” – 3:26
“Burning Too” – 2:50
“Provisional” – 2:17
“Lockdown” – 2:10
“Promises” – 4:01

Repeater

Released 1990

Repeater, Fugazi’s first full-length studio album, further established the band’s reputation for a unique blend of hardcore punk energy and experimental post-hardcore elements. The album’s sound was more refined than their earlier work, yet it retained the raw intensity that Fugazi was known for.

Recorded at Inner Ear Studios with producer and engineer Ted Niceley, Repeater encapsulated the band’s ethos and sound, featuring complex rhythms, dynamic shifts, and politically charged lyrics. The lineup remained the same, with Ian MacKaye, Guy Picciotto, Joe Lally, and Brendan Canty. Released in 1990, the album was critically acclaimed and is often cited as one of the most influential post-hardcore albums of its time.

CD Track Listings:

“Turnover” – 4:16
“Repeater” – 3:01
“Brendan #1” – 2:32
“Merchandise” – 2:59
“Blueprint” – 3:52
“Sieve-Fisted Find” – 3:24
“Greed” – 1:47
“Two Beats Off” – 3:28
“Styrofoam” – 2:35
“Reprovisional” – 2:18
“Shut the Door” – 4:58

Steady Diet of Nothing

Released 1991

Steady Diet of Nothing, released in 1991, marked a shift in Fugazi’s sound, leaning more towards experimental and art rock territories. The album’s title reflected the band’s disdain for mainstream media and consumer culture. It was recorded at Inner Ear Studios and was self-produced by the band, highlighting their commitment to artistic independence.

The album continued with the band’s established lineup and featured a mix of aggressive tracks and more contemplative pieces, showcasing the band’s evolving musical depth. Steady Diet of Nothing was praised for its innovative approach and intelligent lyrics, solidifying Fugazi’s position as a leading force in the alternative music scene of the early 90s.

CD Track Listings:

“Exit Only” – 3:10
“Reclamation” – 3:20
“Nice New Outfit” – 3:26
“Stacks” – 3:08
“Latin Roots” – 3:13
“Steady Diet” – 3:42
“Long Division” – 2:12
“Runaway Return” – 3:57
“Polish” – 3:37
“Dear Justice Letter” – 3:26
“KYEO” – 2:57

In on the Kill Taker

Released 1993

In on the Kill Taker, Fugazi’s third studio album, was released in 1993 and showed the band at the peak of its creative and critical success. The album blended the raw energy of their earlier work with a more sophisticated and layered sound, featuring elements of noise rock and greater dynamic range in songwriting.

Recorded at Inner Ear Studios and produced by Ted Niceley and Fugazi, In on the Kill Taker received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike. It showcased the classic lineup of Ian MacKaye, Guy Picciotto, Joe Lally, and Brendan Canty.

CD Track Listings:

“Facet Squared” – 2:42
“Public Witness Program” – 2:04
“Returning the Screw” – 3:13
“Smallpox Champion” – 4:01
“Rend It” – 3:46
“23 Beats Off” – 6:41
“Sweet and Low” – 3:33
“Cassavetes” – 2:30
“Great Cop” – 1:52
“Walken’s Syndrome” – 3:17
“Instrument” – 3:43
“Last Chance for a Slow Dance” – 4:37

Red Medicine

Released 1995

Red Medicine, released in 1995, continued Fugazi’s exploration of the boundaries of post-hardcore, incorporating elements of experimental rock, noise, and unconventional song structures. The album was recorded at Inner Ear Studios and produced by the band, reflecting their DIY ethos and creative control over their music.

Red Medicine was marked by a more adventurous and eclectic sound compared to their previous albums. It featured the band’s classic lineup and was noted for its inventive guitar work, rhythmic complexity, and politically charged lyrics.

CD Track Listings:

“Do You Like Me” – 3:14
“Bed for the Scraping” – 2:50
“Latest Disgrace” – 3:34
“Birthday Pony” – 3:08
“Forensic Scene” – 3:04
“Combination Lock” – 3:06
“Fell, Destroyed” – 3:45
“By You” – 5:11
“Version” – 3:20
“Target” – 3:31
“Back to Base” – 1:45
“Downed City” – 2:53
“Long Distance Runner” – 4:21

End Hits

Released 1998

End Hits, Fugazi’s fifth studio album, was released in 1998. The album continued the band’s trend of experimentation, featuring a mix of aggressive punk rock, complex rhythms, and experimental soundscapes. End Hits is often noted for its diverse range of moods and styles, from the introspective to the explosive.

Recorded at Inner Ear Studios and produced by Fugazi, the album highlighted the band’s continuous evolution and refusal to be pigeonholed into a single genre. The lineup remained consistent, with Ian MacKaye, Guy Picciotto, Joe Lally, and Brendan Canty delivering performances that showcased their individual talents and collective chemistry.

CD Track Listings:

“Break” – 2:11
“Place Position” – 2:44
“Recap Modotti” – 3:08
“No Surprise” – 4:11
“Five Corporations” – 2:28
“Caustic Acrostic” – 2:00
“Closed Captioned” – 4:51
“Floating Boy” – 5:44
“Foreman’s Dog” – 4:20
“Arpeggiator” – 4:27
“Guilford Fall” – 2:56
“Pink Frosty” – 4:07
“F/D” – 3:40

The Argument

Released 2001

The Argument, released in 2001, is the sixth studio album by the influential American post-hardcore band Fugazi. This album is often celebrated for its experimental approach, branching out from the band’s earlier hardcore punk style to incorporate more varied rhythms, soundscapes, and instruments like piano and strings. The lineup for this album included Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto on vocals and guitar, Joe Lally on bass, and Brendan Canty on drums. Additionally, the album featured contributions from Jerry Busher on additional percussion and Kathi Wilcox on backing vocals.

Recorded at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia, The Argument was co-produced by Fugazi and Don Zientara. The album was noted for its thematic depth, addressing issues of war, societal ills, and personal struggles, and received critical acclaim for its innovative sound. It marked a high point in the band’s career before their indefinite hiatus in 2003.

CD Track Listings:

“Intro” – 0:53
“Cashout” – 4:23
“Full Disclosure” – 3:52
“Epic Problem” – 3:58
“Life and Limb” – 3:09
“The Kill” – 5:26
“Strangelight” – 5:53
“Oh” – 4:28
“Ex-Spectator” – 4:18
“Nightshop” – 4:01
“Argument” – 4:26

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