Steady Diet of Nothing
| Steady Diet of Nothing | ||||
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| Studio album by Fugazi | ||||
| Released | July 1991 | |||
| Recorded | January–February 1991 at Inner Ear Studios, Arlington, Virginia | |||
| Genre | Post-hardcore | |||
| Length | 36:20 | |||
| Label | Dischord Records | |||
| Producer | Fugazi | |||
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Steady Diet of Nothing is the second full-length studio album by American post-hardcore band Fugazi, released in July, 1991. The title is taken from a quote by the late American stand-up comedian Bill Hicks.[citation needed]
Although well received and popular at the time of its release, Steady Diet is often overlooked by many music journalists when writing about Fugazi's career, but remains a favorite among fans of the band.[5][6]
Contents |
[edit] Recording
Steady Diet of Nothing was recorded during January and February 1991 at Inner Ear Studios and is notable for being the group's first self-produced release. As a result of not having an outside producer besides engineer Don Zientara, the albums recording and mixing sessions were tough on the band. Singer/guitarist Ian MacKaye explained, "It was like we were walking on eggshells, trying not to offend each other. No one would say, "Turn your guitar down," or, "Turn the drums down." So we ended up getting a democratic mix, and a lot of times democratic mixes equal bad mixes. And I feel Steady Diet is a classic example of us being very conservative, although a lot of people think it's our best record."[6]
[edit] Music & Lyrics
The lyrical content of Steady Diet is more overtly political than any other record Fugazi has released. This is most evident on "Dear Justice Letter" which was inspired by the loss of Supreme Court liberal stalwart William J. Brennan. The band addressed the subject of personal freedom on "Reclamation" and Ian also dedicated "KYEO" to Rodney King during the 'Steady Diet' tour.[7]
Musically the album is far more spare than the band's other works, with the conservative, dry production serving to highlight the rhythm section of bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty. "Long Division" and its melodic inter-weaving bass and guitar lines was the band's first foray into pop melodies, while "Latin Roots" recalled the band's earlier dub-influenced stylings, with Canty laying down a Stewart Copeland influenced drum beat.[5] The album is also notable for being the group's shortest, at just under 40 minutes.
[edit] Release
Six months before the release, Dischord had pre-orders of over 160,000 for the album [8]
[edit] Track listing
(Lead vocals in parentheses)
- "Exit Only" – 3:11 (Picciotto)
- "Reclamation" – 3:21 (MacKaye)
- "Nice New Outfit" – 3:26 (Picciotto)
- "Stacks" – 3:08 (MacKaye)
- "Latin Roots" – 3:13 (Picciotto)
- "Steady Diet" – 3:42
- "Long Division" – 2:12 (MacKaye)
- "Runaway Return" – 3:58 (Picciotto)
- "Polish" – 3:38 (MacKaye)
- "Dear Justice Letter" – 3:27 (Picciotto)
- "KYEO" – 2:58 (MacKaye)
[edit] Personnel
- Joe Lally - Bass
- Ian MacKaye - Guitar, Vocals
- Guy Picciotto - Guitar, Vocals
- Brendan Canty - Drums
- Don Zientara - Engineer
- Lucy Capehart - Photography
- Adam Cohen - Photography
- John Falls - Photography
[edit] References
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "allmusic ((( Steady Diet of Nothing > Review )))". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r7860. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ Brackett, Nathan. "Fugazi". The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. November 2004. pg. 315, cited March 17, 2010
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "Fugazi". robertchristgau.com, Retrieved on March 17, 2010.
- ^ Scaruffi, Piero. "Fugazi". pieroscaruffi.com (Italian). Retrieved on March 17, 2010.
- ^ a b Lee, Cosmo. "Stylus Magazine: Fugazi - Steady Diet of Nothing". On Second Thought Fugazi - Steady Diet of Nothing. http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/on_second_thought/fugazi-steady-diet-of-nothing.htm. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ a b ^ a b c d Perlah, Jeff. "The Independent". Guitar World. March 2002.
- ^ *Andersen, Mark; Mark Jenkins (2001). Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation's Capital. New York: Akashic Books. ISBN 1-888451-44-0. p. 304, 305
- ^ *Andersen, Mark; Mark Jenkins (2001). Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation's Capital. New York: Akashic Books. ISBN 1-888451-44-0. p. 304
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