Recording and performing artist, record label owner/entrepreneur, bassist, composer, founding member of “post-punk / post- hardcore” (i.e. loud, experimental, abrasive) icons Fugazi, and collaborator, among other endeavors, Joe Lally’s overall D.I.Y. ethos also defines his artistry as a player.

In a genre noted for its often-reckless aesthetic, Lally is a rather precise bassist – hence his use of a Precision bass perhaps? Lally can thrash with the best of them when he needs (needed) to. Yet he also masters the subtilties of the instrument with a wide range of rhythmic variations, chords, harmonics, and right-hand muting / thumb / finger / plectrum among his tool-box of techniques along with a range of effects, and of course, volume!

Inspired by the usual classic rock suspects (Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix) a turning point for Lally as detailed in a recent NoEcho interview was his analysis of such players as Jah Wobble (Public Image Ltd., Invaders of the Heart) and Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order) wherein our instrument can “stand alone” within a composition. That is, the bass “is” the song (please don’t tell the guitarists, drummers, keyboard, horn players etc.).

Lally’s post- Fugazi endeavors show him to be an artist in perpetual evolution – which is why most of us play in the first place!

As for Fugazi, their story runs deep – their musical and personal ideology posed a threat to the establishment – they refused major label deals, fought for low ticket prices, among other activities that rattled the status rock quo. Rock messiahs spanning Henry Rollins to Johnny Marr have heaped hosannas aplenty upon the band musically and philosophically – and deservedly so.

But don’t take my word for it, read about Fugazi in Michael Azerrad’s Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981–1991.

Joe Lally Sound & Vision:

Fugazi: “Shut The Door” https://youtu.be/6WHAnkJFOMs?si=OlmZyDlWVnQp5kTK

Fugazi” “Waiting Room” https://youtu.be/C3LXkdpHNOQ?si=8bqgQBa1vm87MtIG

Messthetics “Mythomania” https://youtu.be/N7u2swa5LbU?si=7jAp2HAQJuDUqu-e

Coriky: “Too Many Husbands” https://youtu.be/RIHjRI6huRU?si=zrKI3zTsdyVtp8tY

Joe plugs latest edition of Fender Precision Ultra ll bass: https://youtu.be/pZw45jAa3IU?si=7aMKf1XyM7EWXFDl

Fugazi photo courtesy of Dischord Records / Photo by Glen E. Friedman / Joe Lally photo courtesy of Fender