This recording documents the last out of 4 times Fugazi performed at the famed Gilman Street venue (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991), here a benefit gig for the Gilman Street Project. For some more information related to this particular venue, see my earlier notes and write-up of the 1988 concert.
The set notably opens with a rudimentary, instrumental rendering of Facet Squared. Similar versions of this track, which would not see an official studio release until 1993, have only been played live by the band on a handful of occasions. Other highlights and bangers include Runaway Return (“Bikini! Kill!”), Suggestion (which not only addresses the situation of women in the US but also the casualty toll of the first Iraq war that concluded - at least officially - a couple of months earlier), as well as an ominous-sounding version of Glueman that has Guy ad-libbing throughout (notice the cool intro “… looks good on you, bay area blue, area blue, bay area glue, area glue…”) and is quite a bit of a departure from the traditional build-up and breakdown since it offers more of a continuous sonic downpour this time around.
Even though the band pretty much curbs all unnecessary banter in-between songs, and the upfront and in-your-face vocals and guitars obscure the indispensable rhythm section (Brendan’s toms and snare drum, and Joe’s bass) from time to time, mostly during the up-tempo parts, the recording still emanates enough punk attitude to make it memorable and enjoyable. Imagine the guitars deliciously grinding, cutting and slashing left and right, the vocals angry, fierce.
The show offers 15 live tracks in total, and draws from the 7 Songs debut EP (4), the Margin Walker EP (2), Repeater (2), the Steady Diet of Nothing album (6) which saw its release in the summer of that same year, and, as mentioned, one track from the upcoming In on the Kill Taker album.
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This recording documents the last out of 4 times Fugazi performed at the famed Gilman Street venue (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991), here a benefit gig for the Gilman Street Project. For some more information related to this particular venue, see my earlier notes and write-up of the 1988 concert.
The set notably opens with a rudimentary, instrumental rendering of Facet Squared. Similar versions of this track, which would not see an official studio release until 1993, have only been played live by the band on a handful of occasions. Other highlights and bangers include Runaway Return (“Bikini! Kill!”), Suggestion (which not only addresses the situation of women in the US but also the casualty toll of the first Iraq war that concluded - at least officially - a couple of months earlier), as well as an ominous-sounding version of Glueman that has Guy ad-libbing throughout (notice the cool intro “… looks good on you, bay area blue, area blue, bay area glue, area glue…”) and is quite a bit of a departure from the traditional build-up and breakdown since it offers more of a continuous sonic downpour this time around.
Even though the band pretty much curbs all unnecessary banter in-between songs, and the upfront and in-your-face vocals and guitars obscure the indispensable rhythm section (Brendan’s toms and snare drum, and Joe’s bass) from time to time, mostly during the up-tempo parts, the recording still emanates enough punk attitude to make it memorable and enjoyable. Imagine the guitars deliciously grinding, cutting and slashing left and right, the vocals angry, fierce.
The show offers 15 live tracks in total, and draws from the 7 Songs debut EP (4), the Margin Walker EP (2), Repeater (2), the Steady Diet of Nothing album (6) which saw its release in the summer of that same year, and, as mentioned, one track from the upcoming In on the Kill Taker album.
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