Fugazi is a highly influential American post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., known for its do-it-yourself (DIY) ethics, anti-commercial stance, and dynamic, genre-transcending music. Formed in 1986, the band has been on an indefinite hiatus since 2003.
Fugazi famously rejected the mainstream music industry, releasing all their material through their own independent label, Dischord Records, founded by MacKaye. The band maintained a policy of keeping ticket prices low (typically around $5, adjusted for inflation over time) and selling their albums at a low cost, ensuring their music and shows were accessible to a broad audience.
Their music is difficult to categorize, blending elements of hardcore punk, post-punk, alternative rock, and experimental rock. They were noted for their dynamic range, often building tension followed by calm, and their members’ contrasting songwriting styles. Fugazi has had a significant impact on a wide range of artists across various genres, with bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr citing them as major influences.
“Merchandise” is an anti-consumerist anthem from Repeater, Fugazi’s 1990 full-length debut. Because of the anti-merchandise sentiment expressed in this song, Fugazi and frontman Ian MacKay’s independent Dischord Records label wouldn’t license any merch, although band shirts were huge in the 90’s. So, fans had to resort to seeking out this famous bootleg:
The back of the shirt quoted the final line of “Merchandise”, “You are not what you own.”
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