Lungfish - live at the Empty Bottle, 5 December, 2003

Photo by Pat Graham

If there's a recurring theme to this blog, it's "I took way to long to get into this band/movie". As someone who was a Baltimore resident during most of their heyday, there's no excuse, other than the dipshittery of youth, for me not having gotten into Lungfish sooner.

There's really no excuse: I was already a fan of what Dischord was putting out, and I got a promo of "Sound In Time" for my radio show when it came out in 1996. They opened for Fugazi at the Steelworker's Hall out by Dundalk in 1998, but I stood outside during most of their set, smoking and being tres punk. I'd seen Pat Graham's photography of the band for years, and despite the amazing visual story those images told, it took until their 10th record, "Love Is Love", for something to click for me. By the time they'd gone on hiatus, I'd only seen them that one time, and not even really watched then.

Which is a shame, because what I didn't get in my twenties has become an obsession as I've aged. In one sense, I get it: I had no context under which I could appreciate their post-, post-hardcore experiments. I genuinely tried to rectify that mistake by diving into their entire catalog. My preference is for later-period Lungfish; I love taking a long drive to "A.C.R. 1999" and companion release "Necrophones". There's a tactile nature to the music; the lyrics, delivered like a revival preacher. I feel something very primal when I listen to Lungfish. It stirs me as much as any Coltrane record, any Morricone film score.

I originally downloaded this 2003 set from the team at [shiny grey monotone], which should be on your blogroll if it isn't already. Since the link has expired, I think it's pretty fair (with appropriate credit) to repost it here. This dates from their tour immediately following the release of "Love Is Love", and I think is a pretty decent representation of their work, and gives just enough sense of their live show to make you wish they were still playing out. In a less wordy statement, let's let a quote from [sgm] sum it up:

It is fucking scary. Like an angel telling you shit you know is true, but can't understand.

Fair play, Ipecac. Fair play.

Click here to download.