Steady Diet of Nothing
Encyclopedia
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
.
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.
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."
during the 'Steady Diet' tour.
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. The album is also notable for being the group's shortest, at just under 40 minutes.
had pre-orders of over 160,000 for the album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band Fugazi
Fugazi (band)
Fugazi is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Washington, D.C. in 1987. The band's continual members are guitarists and vocalists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty....
, released in July, 1991. The title is taken from a quote by the late American stand-up comedian Bill Hicks
Bill Hicks
William Melvin "Bill" Hicks was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and musician. His material largely consisted of general discussions about society, religion, politics, philosophy, and personal issues. Hicks' material was often controversial and steeped in dark comedy...
.
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.
Recording
Steady Diet of Nothing was recorded during January and February of 1991 at Inner Ear StudiosInner Ear Studios
Inner Ear Studios is a recording studio founded in Arlington, VA by musician and recording engineer Don Zientara. Hundreds of albums, including both independent and major label releases have been recorded at the studio. It has been in continuous operation for over 25 years.- See Also :Don Zientara...
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
Don Zientara
Don Zientara is an American record producer and musician. He owns and runs Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia, located just outside of Washington D.C., and is most widely known for his production work with Fugazi, Minor Threat and various other Dischord Records artists.-Production...
, the albums recording and mixing sessions were tough on the band. Singer/guitarist Ian MacKaye
Ian MacKaye
Ian Thomas Garner MacKaye is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, musician, label owner, and producer. Active since 1979, MacKaye is best known for being the frontman of the influential hardcore punk bands Minor Threat and The Teen Idles, the post-hardcore bands Embrace and Fugazi, as well...
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."
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 KingRodney King
Rodney Glen King is an American best known for his involvement in a police brutality case involving the Los Angeles Police Department on March 3, 1991...
during the 'Steady Diet' tour.
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
Joe Lally
Joe Lally is a bass guitar player, vocalist and label owner, best known for his work with Fugazi.-Fugazi:...
and drummer Brendan Canty
Brendan Canty
Brendan Canty is an American musician, composer, producer and film maker, best known as the drummer for the band Fugazi....
. "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
Stewart Copeland
Stewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the band The Police. During the group's extended hiatus from the mid-1980s to 2007, he played in other bands and composed soundtracks...
influenced drum beat. The album is also notable for being the group's shortest, at just under 40 minutes.
Release
Six months before the release, DischordDischord Records
Dischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
had pre-orders of over 160,000 for the album
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)
Personnel
- Joe LallyJoe LallyJoe Lally is a bass guitar player, vocalist and label owner, best known for his work with Fugazi.-Fugazi:...
- Bass - Ian MacKayeIan MacKayeIan Thomas Garner MacKaye is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, musician, label owner, and producer. Active since 1979, MacKaye is best known for being the frontman of the influential hardcore punk bands Minor Threat and The Teen Idles, the post-hardcore bands Embrace and Fugazi, as well...
- Guitar, Vocals - Guy PicciottoGuy PicciottoGuy Picciotto is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, musician, and producer from Washington, DC.He is most widely known for his role as the guitarist and vocalist of Fugazi, as well as Rites of Spring.-Rites of Spring & Early Projects:...
- Guitar, Vocals - Brendan CantyBrendan CantyBrendan Canty is an American musician, composer, producer and film maker, best known as the drummer for the band Fugazi....
- Drums - Don ZientaraDon ZientaraDon Zientara is an American record producer and musician. He owns and runs Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia, located just outside of Washington D.C., and is most widely known for his production work with Fugazi, Minor Threat and various other Dischord Records artists.-Production...
- Engineer - Lucy Capehart - Photography
- Adam Cohen - Photography
- John Falls - Photography