Both the Dead and hard-core legends Fugazi have attained a sizeable level of popularity and success in the business with virtually no support from radio, MTV or the mainstream press. Instead of relying on "the man" to get their music out to the masses, they both built an immensely loyal (almost cult-like) fan base through constant touring, creating their own distribution system and by always keeping it "real" with the fans, i.e. no rock star attitudes. What's more, on record and in concert, their music has not only continued to stay fresh and current, but with each successive listen, their songs seem to improve with age like a fine wine or a creamy holiday nutlog.

Fugazi's gig at the Roxy December 1999 gave further proof of this and though I've seen them a half-dozen times before, something about this show made me realize just how awesome a live band they are.

Their raw and powerful sound on classic songs such as "Merchandise," "Reclamation," and "Arpeggiator" came across just as flawlessly as they do on their $10 post-paid CDs. Even when they took a break from pitch-perfect renditions of their records it still worked to their benefit. For their ultra-politically correct song on sexual harassment, "Suggestion," they invited a mystery woman up on stage to sing the vocals but oddly didn't introduce her. Was she a girlfriend of one of the band members? Did she get the high score on a Fugazi Karaoke machine somewhere? Did she win an essay contest for "The Most Oppressed Woman in New York City"? No matter, for although she had a singing voice that lay somewhere between Rosanne Barr's and William Shatner's, the song was saved by the crowd's shouting along to the lyrics and the band's propulsive guitars.

I find it quite a paradox that Fugazi retain such a stringent anti-moshing policy during their concerts because their power-punk anthems are custom designed to send you up into the air like a pogo-stick juiced up with "low-rider" hydraulics. As it was, though, I had to remain content with just standing in place moving my head to the music so as not to invade anyone's personal space. A couple of frat punks did manage to get in some quality body-surfing and stage-diving time during the show, but once they were up in the air, their eyes met with a pissed-off glare from lead singer Ian MacKaye and his stern, fatherly finger pointing to get down. For some reason when he put on this angry face, I was taken aback by how much Ian's hair looks like David Letterman's. He keeps it shaven to conceal his encroaching male pattern baldness, but there's no hiding that weird little jetty of hair pushing up towards the Mississippi Delta of his forehead just like Dave's toupee does.

After a slew of other tunes, including "Birthday Party" in honor of bassist Joe Lally's big day, the band left only to return minutes later with kick-ass versions of "Repeater" and "Target" before calling it a night.

There was no need for a half-assed attempt at applause to trot them out for another round of encores; they had provided a solid two-hour show and had played until every spot on their shirts was drenched in sweat for a mere $5 ticket price.

Perhaps my initial likening of Fugazi to the Dead may have been a bit rash, though, like I said, I got hit in the head with a boot. Perhaps they can only be compared like one might compare Superman to Bizarro Superman. Both bands are ultra tight in concert, but Fugazi's sound is sharper than a box-cutter while the Dead's earthy jams had the tinsel strength of a hackey sack. And whereas the Dead were world-renowned gluttons for the "high" life, Fugazi are notoriously straight-edged. In fact, during the concert, I scarcely saw a single person drinking a beer, but this might have been due to the fact that a single can of beer at the bar cost roughly as much as a whole 12-pack of the same brand at my corner store.

Furthermore, the Dead's "hippy-dippy" good-times ethos was about using chemical excess to embrace the notion that ignorance is bliss, whereas Fugazi's politically charged music drives home the point that we should stand up for ourselves and question authority, and that a good dose of knowledge can open up your mind more than any drug on the planet. Except maybe for really good acid.

Editor’s Note: Hailing from Washington, D.C., the members of Fugazi (Guy Picciotto, vocals/guitar; Ian MacKaye, guitar/vocals; Joe Lally, bass; Brendan Canty, drums) have been together since 1987. A self-managed band, Fugazi have released seven albums through Dischord Records, an independent label founded by MacKaye and partner Jeff Nelson in 1980. The band maintains a policy of affordable access to its work through low record and ticket prices. All concerts are open to all ages.

January 2000