One big example: Ex-Spectator

Spoiler: show

Looking out for cars and mortality
Trying to find some sort of geometry
Avoiding mistakes
Keep an eye on every step I take

Everything is building and it appears
That you're all architects and engineers
That's how it looks
That's how it looks from here

I'm an ex-spectator
Can't you see?
I'm an ex-spectator
Never let my
Never let my
Never let my
Never let my vision
Get in the way of...

Here's some questions that the writer sent
Can an observer be a participant?
Have I seen too much?
Does it count if it doesn't touch?

If the view is all I can ascertain
Pure understanding is out of range
If I make that call
Why can't I make that change?

I'm an ex-spectator
Can't you see?
I'm an ex-spectator
Never let my
Never let my
Never let my
Never let my vision
Get in the way of me

For years I viewed this song from a place of pity: I was involved with various political/social movements on a grassroots level, I wore my opinions on my sleeve, I marched in protests, the whole lot...

Over the last five years or so, I've become much more moderate in my politics. I've also become a sober dad. I watched the BLM protests this summer, and felt these huge pangs of guilt as I simply donated money, rather than throwing on my riot gear and driving to Seattle or something.

And listening to the song now, it's like I am the guy he's singing about. I've embraced this position by which I wield my opinions with my checkbook, with my (former) profession, and occasionally online.

Does it count if it doesn't touch?

i saw that song played on the national mall in a circus tent at the smithsonian folk life festival before the album came out

it was practically a hurricane rain storm outside

they opened with it

when those first hard chords hit it in was unreal, everyone exploded

they still havent released this show


https://www.dischord.com/fugazi_live_series/washington-dc-usa-62700

This sounds absolutely incredible

whenever they release that show, the sound quality will be great

tiny tent, modern technology era

they played stuff from all over the catalog, decent chunk of End Hits songs, and at least 2 from The Argument that i can recall

I'm gonna go to bed and listen to IOTKT

what a lovely bedtime story

i listened to this band to the point of exhaustion as a teen. not sure i can ever get into them again.

Reid...don’t tell me...you’ve never gotten into Fugazi?

I own 13 Songs on CD. That's it.

Your Shellac recc steered me this way recently, somehow. I've got a lot of catching up to do. Been picking at bits from Red Medicine, End Hits, and The Argument the last few days. And that Coriky album released last year, which is stellar.

Lot to chew on. So much to chew on.

For what it's worth, I'm not into Fugazi.

I've tried but I just don't like the songs (or the vocals, especially).

This day keeps getting weirder and weirder

For Reid. Spenno is a lost cause I guess.

Describe today's events with a Fugazi song.

All of them

Actually, Break is kind of perfect:

Can't ask for more, so why unfulfilled
We take apart everything we build
Had it right here, now it's gone
On and on
Break

Break
Break
Break
Break

Interesting. Listened to that one recently and the lyrics struck me as personal, but there's obvious layered meaning to it especially after today. Instantly reminds me of a favorite Stereolab song of mine.

If there's been a way to build it
There'll be a way to destroy it

accent percussionist

Love it