Originally published in ‘zine issue #36, 2006
J.R. Hayes spoke with the man himself via email and turned in the following.
In my travels I have seen many, many bands live. I’ve seen cute bands, trendy bands, ugly bands, joke bands, mainstream bands, underground bands––you name it, I’ve probably stood there with my arms crossed and watched it. I mean, let’s be frank: most music is complete dog piss, and as a music freak, it’s all too easy to become jaded and discouraged by the endless parade of dullards and dipshits who think they’re gonna be the next Guns N’ Roses, but every now and then you see a band that is so passionate, so talented, and so original that it completely restores your faith in music. Fugazi was one of those bands. And from day one, Joe Lally was the bass player, one half of one of the tightest, most inventive rhythm sections in the history of rock music, and if you think that’s an exaggeration, then you obviously never saw the band live. Unfortunately, Fugazi decided to call it quits, which leaves Joe Lally in an interesting predicament; namely, where does he go from here? Let’s find out.
J.R.: Give us some details on the solo record coming out later this year. Is this material new, or have you been stockpiling it for a while?
Joe: A lot of these songs have been rattling around in my head for a couple of years now. Some came together last fall. In February Ian decided we should go into Inner Ear Studios with whoever I chose to play drums or guitar. We did some recording with people there but some of it wasn’t sitting in the right place. It’s very different than when I play live because then it’s just voice, bass and percussion. So we’re going to record some more with me and someone on percussion. I won’t mention any names because it’s not their fault if they don’t end up on the record.
I noticed that you will be accompanied by Buzz and Dale of the Melvins on an upcoming tour. Any plans to record with them in the future?
No plans, but I suppose I’ve always wanted to. We’ll see on that tour if something presents itself as a future recording project.
Has there been any talk of a live Fugazi album?
Well, the Fugazi Live Series has that covered. Go to www.fugazi-liveseries.com and check it out. We could never agree on one show that represented us at any particular point. Ultimately we want to get as many shows online as we can to download at a decent price. For now there are 30 that we keep small pressings of.
I believe Don Zientara recorded all of Fugazi’s albums at Inner Ear. Was there ever any attempt to record with anyone else at any other studios?
We recorded Margin Walker with John Loder in London. We were on tour and went in to do basic tracks at a place called the Green House, I think. We had just finished, like, 39 shows and we were a bit burnt. Then we went in to Loder’s Southern Studios and re-recorded bass and guitars and they laid all the vocals. Only his control room was open so we were recording everything individually. A very different session for us.
What are your thoughts on the current D.C. scene? Any new bands that are rocking your world?
I can’t comment very fairly here. I don’t get out and see bands as much as I used to. I have a four year old and I go to bed too early to see anything. Antelope is the band that has been doing it for me live.
If you had to pick just one Fugazi song, what would it be?
At this moment in time I will pick a song that I love to play and of course it will be from the last album. The song I most love to play is always from the last album. ‘Full Disclosure.’
Thanks to Billy from Buck Gooter, who arranged this interview. ■
Photo: Joe Lally, from the sleeve of The Argument (by Jem Cohen)
