The story of Fugazi

After Minor Threat, Ian MacKaye assembled another band destined to become a leading force in the post-punk movement. This is the story of Fugazi and how they helped usher in a new era of of Rock and Roll.
Learn more about Minor Threat: • A brief look into punk...
#Fugazi #IanMacKaye #MinorThreat #Punk

[@nicolasstanley1392]

Older dude here who never liked punk as a teenager, I was more metal/goth. With iTunes I could explore around and out of curiosity checked out some old punk that acquaintances used to listen to. Fugazi blew me away and I regret not being cool enough to have checked them out back in the 90’s. Great video!

[@nicolasstanley1392]

@@EmmyG7 wipers slay

[@jarodwinkel6113]

The first show I ever saw by my choice, was Fugazi and Avail! I was like 8 years old. It was at the Reston Rec center across the street from my house. It was called Jam For Man. I paid my $5 and my can of food for admission and then proceeded to have my young mind blown. It was in area not much bigger than a small living room. With barely a stage at all, the band spent most of the time intermixed with us in the crowd. I still have my hand made tapes, I bought at the show from both bands, somewhere in the attic. I was already on my way to becoming obsessed with music and that was the tipping point. From that moment on music has dominated the majority of my life. I saw them several more times at bigger venues, whenever I could get a ride. These bigger venues, allowed more moshing and stage diving. No matter how crazy it got, I always felt safe, because there were always older guys looking out for you and keeping things safe. Looking back it's probably something Fugazi had organized. I remember getting to talk to the band members several different times and they were always very nice and giving with their time. that meant so much to me as a young kid! They will always have a special place in my heart.

[@NOISEONOMICON]

Fugazi is one of the top of the top bands in history. Reinvented punk-HC as a whole, was a huge influence when I was a teenager. Fave album: Steady diet...

[@spiderjerusalem100]

One of my favourite bands since I was like 17. I got in to them just as The argument album came out and I've been waiting for a new record ever since.

[@zacharycunningham1789]

Steady Diet of Nothing is pure chaos, and I mean that in the best possible way. Though it may not be their “best” record, it continues to be my favorite. LOVE THIS BAND, MINOR THREAT (my first punk obsession), and IAN! Thank you for this doc!!!

[@justahumanbeing.709]

yeah i loved that album.

[@theotherjack576]

1:27 to clarify, teen idles and minor threat are actually two separate bands, Ian played bass in teen idles and then was the vocalist for minor threat. The way he said it kind of made it seem like teen idles changed their name to minor threat. Not hating or anything, just had a nerd moment just then.

[@billdavis6900]

You’re right, the only Minor Threat members that were in Teen Idles were Jeff Nelson & Ian MacKaye.

[@tesseracht]

I definitely think In On the Kill Taker is better than Repeater lol. That said Fugazi doesn't have a bad record, they're all good, but for me Kill Taker and Red Medicine are peak.

[@siaynoqmovement9802]

this is interesting because i agree that Kill Taker is may be their best work, but Red Medicine? I feel that was the downfall lol.

[@tesseracht]

@@siaynoqmovement9802 Sacrilege!

[@bedevil1]

I am not sure what it is about social media that prompts people to share their unwarranted opinions.

[@joeldukes303]

@@bedevil1aah, the projection is strong within you…. I like Steady Diet of Nothing and 13 Songs

[@BootsORiley]

I put Steady Diet over Red Medicine. I love Fugazi, but Red never did it for me. It’s their only album I don’t care for

[@gabrieldelamora3701]

I thank the algorithm for chucking me your channel! Subscribed🤘🏻

[@soundofhistory_]

Thank you!

[@unityistheonlysolution3485]

I just found your channel and took a deep dive into my past, back when I used to skate and listen to punk!! They were the best days, and they lasted for quite some time. (Later after Punk I started playing the drums and I got into more rock, then jazz fusion, then more jazz, etc …) I never stopped listening to Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Fugazi, Murphy’s Law, Angry Samoans, Dead Kennedys, and many more. I love your documentaries on these old bands, thank you! - Jason/Freedom Fighter Until Death/Vermont, FRA (‘FRA’, meaning “The Failed Republic Of America”)

[@DuckEDeluxe]

Such righteous gangstaz, quack quack. Thanks 💯🫶

[@_Pauper_]

Thank you. I’m going to listen to them now

[@minnesotaclay]

Get the band back together 🙌

[@peterdaigle4772]

I hold Minor Threat, Black Flag and Dead Kennedys as my all time top three. Fugazi is musically a better sounding band, but it was bound to happen with the cooling off of hardcore. Well then, now i need a god damn bakery tshirt

[@ToddMorgan-el5iy]

Myself and friends accidentally saw Fugazi (their second show, I think). We were there to see some other band. I just remember thinking "what is this?!?" All I knew was I liked it but had zero reference point. Gone are the days when you could experience something like that.

[@diegocorral7468]

One of my favorite bands that I never got to see live...one more run, please 🙏

[@ashtraydekay6624]

great topic!

[@marcosdepaula3593]

Guy Picciotto had recorded and toured with Vic Chesnutt from 1997 (or even before) all the way until his passing in December 2009. I saw him live playing with Vic Chesnutt at The Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte NC and 9:30 in Washington DC when they where supporting About to Choke.

[@glpz462]

Enjoyed the vid. Bands I'd like to see in future: Helmet, Cro Mags & maybe Agnostic Front. Thx.

[@krissymarklewis1793]

their last album The Argument was the best for me.

[@douglasstephens6693]

Fugazi is the greatest punk rock n' roll band of all time.

[@reknowltoniii]

You are rocking it and hitting good facts that could be obscure ... Loved the Minor Threat vid ... Do an Angry Samoans one next, please ... Keep up the good work!!!

[@soundofhistory_]

Thank you!

[@reknowltoniii]

​@@soundofhistory_ or do The Dickies or The Vandals!!!

[@soundofhistory_]

Vandals are definitely on the list. I’ll add the dickies. Thanks!

[@reknowltoniii]

@@soundofhistory_ I grew up in Orange County and frequented Zubies often in addition to working in the music biz in the oughts so I have stories and perspective if you want to reach out ... Thanks for all you do remembering these great bands and movements!!!

[@reknowltoniii]

@@soundofhistory_ and I keep saying Angry Samoans because Back From Samoa is a fundamental album for any southern California youth in the 80s and early 90s (my time) and often are over looked because of Circle Jerks, etc

[@user-kj3sq2xx8j]

Bought all records of fugazi in the time. Embraced it. But now i'm always listening to thin lizzy...😅

[@valenvergara8317]

Beautiful channel

[@ericmusch8325]

This is not a fugazi t-shirt makes soooo much more sense now 😅😂😂 Love em' and Minor Threat .I have heard of the inside joke and will make one myself ....eventually ....with Ian's approval 😅

[@NavyGuero83]

I really like Embrace! That Album is FKN DOPE!

[@justahumanbeing.709]

yeah it's really good. prefer it to some later fugazi stuff.

[@damianmonzillo6058]

Just found your channel! I like how simple it is and direct and looking forward to hearing more. Thank you!

[@billdavis6900]

One thing that I think was kinda left out was one of the important reasons why Fugazi put their records out themselves. It was a money issue as much as it had to do with the punk DIY ethic. For every 50,000 records they sold, they actually made more money than a major label band that sold 500,000. Discord didn’t have the huge overhead that the majors had which was mainly generated by huge legal & production costs. They also retained complete ownership of all of their recordings. Thats also how they ran Discord Records in terms of other bands. They didn’t do record contracts. They put out records one at a time. Any band that put records out on Discord was only obligated to put that one record out and that would apply to any record they put out after that. Discord didn’t do the major label thing of signing bands to multi-record deals. It’s important to point that out because it points out how business conscious that they were. They made a lot of money, but they didn’t make it by charging more or selling more, they made it by slimming down and not taking on all the “fat” that major labels did.

[@user-uz3rt2on8x]

Repeater will always be my favorite record, but IOTKT is by far their best! Public Witness, Smallpox Champion and Rend it are 3 of the best Hardcore/Punk/Whatever songs of alltime! I'm lucky I got to see them 3x on that tour!

[@BootsORiley]

8:36 Fugazi was born on my 3rd birthday.

[@vaultclassic]

Respect for that Rakim book on your bookshelf

[@soundofhistory_]

It's autographed, too! I'm planning on doing a Rakim video eventually

[@user-tv6ms4kl5l]

Love your videos can you do the band heavenly you would do a great job at covering there history 🙏

[@b.w.22]

Haha! Pretty sure Ian would be just fine with that beer break.

[@oscarlozano1983]

Drinks beer embody the spirit of Ian. Straight edge...

[@soundofhistory_]

That was the joke, yes

[@tildensnow2534]

The country band I play in opened for Fugazi once. We were enjoying some beers backstage before the show. I offered him one. He declined. Weird.

[@MrJJr-lw9zq]

There’s three bands I’d love to see you make a video on TSOL Adolescents And Suicidal Tendencies

[@tomlotti240]

Nice vid. Great account of their history, and the ending gave a good "where they're at now" update. Didn't know Vish interviewed JL. Gonna have to go hear that. Turning down 10 million though. Doubt any band would do that now. I was actually trying to remember what job JL was working at that he walked away from. It was NASA. Remember reading an interview with them, and recall him saying his parents were pretty upset. Also, he mentioned the Cars, which I thought was pretty cool. Making my way though a book that tells the story of "Kind of Blue", and the jazz stuff was interesting to hear. Even mentioned the club you referenced. Had no idea that BC had roots in that.

[@chrisold97]

Minor Threat was not previously Teen Idles, 2 separate bands

[@mightyjoebean]

Would you consider doing a video on GG allin? know it’s been discussed to death, but I think your style of video could provide a fresh take/unique perspective.

[@rowdyrodstuart]

Steady Diet Of Nothing was a good album solely for weeding out the folks who just wanted to hear Repeater and Waiting Room over and over again. Some of their early fans definitely jumped ship when Fugazi got more experimental

[@beavisdoge237]

RETURNING THE SCREWWWWW

[@joeldukes303]

@@rowdyrodstuart Here comes the kiss off!!!

[@rowdyrodstuart]

Nice! I appreciate both of these songwriting sentiments, fellas. This margin walker likes a clear shot.

[@midnight-special]

It wasn’t about magazines they wouldn’t read themselves. It was about magazines selling drugs to children (i.e. Alcohol and Tobacco). You’re also downplaying Rites of Spring. Seeing them was like nothing before, at least as explosive as earlier shows when hardcore was still happening down here. They energized and inspired everyone. I have to believe that even though they were friends of Ian’s and on Dischord, their shows must have been a beacon for where he could also grow and go while Embrace was happening. I loved all of it, saw all of it, and feel so lucky to be from DC.

[@brokensilence6790]

You'd make as much difference to the world, by writing a disco song about falling in love. It's all a myth. As soon as you give it a name, like 'Punk' ; it's over. It's established and it can go nowhere. Label your hands: 'Left' and 'Right', then throttle yourself. As soon as you start analysing a 'movement' (stupid phrase), you are nothing but the same as a mainstream DJ, exercising your jaw. I don't go to Punk gigs in England anymore because it's just people selling badges or wearing badges, directing you into what is acceptable to debate, and what is taboo. I can't waste my life watching Henry Rollins go on and on about working for an ice cream compant 'get in the van' and all that, listen to the audience applaud him whilst he verbally fellates Iggy Pop. It's as if you don't know how to be free. You have to categorise everything;: Straight Edge Hardcore etc etc, because you can't handle individuality. Listening to Jello Biafra talking about how he'd prefer Jerry Brown

[@hugo311name9]

WOW!! There should be a movie about Minor Threat , & a movie sequel about Fugazi. One of the very few bands that chose to do it their way , & not grab the $$$ way.

[@JakeStrange66]

Many, many awesome bands in the DIY scene still sell cheap merch, cheap physical media, & don't charge much for shows. Last vinyl LP I bought was $16. Last Tshirt was about the same (even got one for $10.) Last show I went to was $8 but I gave em a $20 & told em to keep the change. Some of the bands are very well known, at least among people who are into punk. But unfortunately, it seems like it's always been very rare for any of them to gain the popularity that I think they deserve.

[@hugo311name9]

@@JakeStrange66 Hi Jake, thank you for sharing this info with me. I didnt know there are still bands that choose that route. Its sad that they dont always gain the popularity that they deserve, but at least theyre doing it their way not givin a puck. There should be movies about bands that choose this way of doing their art.

[@aramautry8521]

Check out the movie Salad Dazed

[@JakeStrange66]

@hugo311name9 there are, but not very many. & a few of them have achieved fair amount of fame. The Mischief Brew were starting to be pretty well known. & some of the music projects Pat the Bunny was involved in. Their records have become quite expensive. Ramshackle Glory reissued one of their albums because they didn't like people were selling them for a lot of money...but it didn't help much. I have the original pressing of that album so I keep track of what it's selling for. There's definitely a demand for those albums. But there are lesser known bands that I absolutely love that it seems like not many people have even heard of them.

[@hugo311name9]

@@aramautry8521 thank you! for sure gonna check it out.

[@dustingrant6388]

Incredible, was hoping for a Fugazi entry from you. Wonderfully executed! :) May I request a vid on Girl/Gilla Band (again lol)?

[@soundofhistory_]

Thanks! They are on the list!

[@dustingrant6388]

@@soundofhistory_ Yaaaayyyyyy! 🥰 (honestly so happy to know they are even on the list haha)

[@erikaa7364]

The part about their record producer not being able to work with them again because he was too busy being a French pastry chef😂😂 wtf

[@willisthebird]

You make incredible videos. I'm glad my sub box can be blessed

[@jonnybarnard8578]

PUNK ROCK!!! 🤘

[@thecatwrangler9448]

Please cover Lil Peep. That’s all I’m going so say (fyi I’m 26, i only listened to punk and stuff like BMTH until I was 13 so don’t assume that I’m just some kid that’s only heard modern music, personally I didn’t listen to modern stuff until I got to college… because of him and the rapper Xxxtentacion I stopped being an “old head” hating and claiming they don’t make music like they used to, because there is nothing rap about some of their best hits. If you doubt Peep, just watch a video comparing his samples to the original song (over half of his samples were his idea not the producer which I’ve never heard of, obviously there’s people who produce all their own stuff but if they’re not making the beat I’ve never heard of someone seeking out tracks like he did. Having someone like you make a video about him will help to break the stigma that some old heads can have when hearing that there was a pink haired rapper that is more influenced by punk than by anything else

[@adultcrash13]

wasn't really Ted Nicely. it was always Don Zeintara except the Albini recording

[@seanvolk4202]

1-2-3…

[@NORFOLKIAN]

Skipped a ton of facts tho

[@soundofhistory_]

It’s a 27 minute video, what did you expect?

[@wulfgold]

@@soundofhistory_ a longer video.

[@soundofhistory_]

@@wulfgold People don't watch those, I've tried. But good news: If I skipped a ton of important things, that means there's room for you to make a video of your own, doing it the way I should have. I look forward to watching it!

[@wulfgold]

@@soundofhistory_ nah, I'lll just stick on the excellent Instrument documentary and relive my memories of being present. Nice of you to differ your laziness though.

[@soundofhistory_]

@@wulfgold Lol 👍

[@slashismyhommie8182]

Given what the current concert landscape is, I doubt Fugazi would want to be a part of that with Live Nation or AXS venues and all that BS. I could see them getting with one of the promotors that filled the void after Warped Tour and setting up their own festival type of thing. But at the same time, the amount of cash flow that is required for those, I could see Fugazi, again, not having interest in that.

[@soundofhistory_]

Totally fair. Doesn’t seem like the concert landscape fits them right now. I wouldn’t rule out an album if the mood strikes them, though

[@andreapilleri5499]

I really don’t understand why you are still ,after all this years insist saying that Ian starts a movement called Straight edge. In several occasions he declares he just wrote a song. Movement started after the song not Mackaye’s will. Please stop saying that.

[@soundofhistory_]

What do you think starting something means? He wrote something that argued for his ideas and put it out. People heard it and thought "yes, I agree I am going to do it like he says" and then started following his ideas, even calling what they were doing the name of his song. That's starting it by any conceivable metric.

[@yoshewab1639]

I’m with Sound on this one. You’re really splitting hairs. ‘Ian didn’t start it but his song did’ then Ian started it, lad. Along with the other band mates AND other bands of the time. Of course no one human can usher in an entire movement by themselves off a punk but a single person can have an idea that rallies others together under the same shared philosophy and in turn that creates a movement. Really really splitting hairs Andrea. Nonsense.

[@EugeneLorey]

Liked Minor Threat because of that amazing guitarist. Don't like Ian though, the most preachy self righteous guy ever.

[@chrisold97]

Ian was hardly the most self righteous guy ever- he had opinions and discussed things, but lots of people who hated what later became thought of as PC were far more self righteous

[@EugeneLorey]

@@chrisold97 Uh, no.

[@MrNeiltonoman]

Hmm, interesting take on IM. I have to say that most punk/HC music is "preachy/self righteous" though as the bands are talking about things that are important to them. It's not really McKaye's fault that he wrote a song about his personal beliefs around drugs & alcohol/stimulants etc and others decided to turn it into a movement. I also didn't mind the fact that he used to ask people not to stage dive at shows too. Many's the time I had some pissed up dickhead land on me or had a para boot in my face again from someone stage diving.

[@EugeneLorey]

@@MrNeiltonoman You're absolutely right, most so-called cookie cutter "HC" bands are preachy & self righteous which is why I left that kind of music behind long ago, I also "dislike" (have to put it like that else YT might give me a strike, sheesh.) The Clash for that very reason (and also just cause they sound weak, like Fugazi. If I want "socially conscious" music I'd be listening to Peter, Paul & Mary & Joan Baez driving her Jaguar to go bail her agitator boyfriend out of jail😂😂😂

[@EugeneLorey]

@@MrNeiltonoman again, uh no.

[@arlodimetrio6087]

Fugazi means fake or damaged beyond repair not the military term snafu

[@homewerecoming]

. No. Ian explains he read it in a book and it means fucked up. Got ambushed zipped in. You are thinking of the Italian word which means fake

[@Dayglodaydreams]

I was 1 when Steady Diet of Nothing was released.

[@soundofhistory_]

Lol I wasn’t even born yet

[@78deathface]

I was in in grade 8, the perfect age to discover Fugazi

[@freesouljah]

▂▃▅▇█▓🤘🏼▓█▇▅▃▂

[@78deathface]

I think In On The Kill Taker is better than Repeater 100%😊

[@jallen6721]

Repeater is poppier which appeals more.

[@muffinman9462]

GARAGE BAND.....RIPPED BIRTHDAY PARTY