Previously released in April 2004 as part of the first set of the original Fugazi live series on CD, this recording documents their iconic performance as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. “Concert of Justice.”

This event played out at the Sylvan Theater, on the grounds of the Washington Monument for the 30th Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s March on Washington, in front of a massive crowd of some 5000 participants, arguably the largest crowd Fugazi drew in its history (note that this soundboard recording of the outdoor gig only hints at a mere fraction of such a high number of spectators).

Fugazi would play this location (“an outdoor amphitheater located at the northwest corner of 15th Street and Independence Avenue near the base of the Washington Monument [and] a popular venue for a wide range of events including free concerts and live theatrical performances, commemorative ceremonies, rallies and protests”) one more time, in 1995, but as it turns out the audio quality of the latter recording is rated as “poor.”

Footage related to the commemorative 1993 Fugazi concert, set to the Lusty Scripps instrumental and pulled from the incredible Instrument documentary, can be found on YouTube.

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Presented are 20 live songs total. With the exception of Last Chance for a Slow Dance, the In on the Kill Taker album, released some two months before, is performed in its entirety (11 songs). The band further draws on Steady Diet of Nothing (2), Repeater (3), Margin Walker EP (2) as well as the 7 Songs EP (2) for the killer encore.

Even though I think this is a really cool and most definitely historic show, which showcases a great set list, particularly if you are into the Kill Taker like myself, the recording itself does not really sit well with me for audio reasons. I feel the vocals are slightly yet noticeably louder in the right channel, while Ian’s guitar gets buried on a number of songs. Overall, this keeps putting me off and curbs my enjoyment.

As such, this is not one of my go-to Fugazi live recordings, unfortunately, nor do I consider it a “perfect entry point” into the Fugazi repertoire as suggested by Joe Gross in his December 12, 2011 article “A Suggestion: Dive Into Fugazi’s Live Archive Now” although I can agree with the author’s highlights of the gig: “‘Promises,’ set closer ‘Glueman,’ in pure rock frenzy, a clearly possessed Picciotto shouts out all four of D.C.’s quadrants, equal parts hilarious and dramatic.”

I was at this show. One of my favorite memories. Pleasure, DC's all girl go-go band opened up and it was a great crowd.