A Very Eighties Punk Three Tune Tuesday! May 20th 2025 🎸 Picking Tunes From DC Punk Scene! + Gene Talks Tunes Music Vlog 🎙️

A Very Eighties Punk Three Tune Tuesday For May 20th 2025 🎸 Picking Tunes From Eighties DC Punk Scene! + Gene Talks Tunes Music Vlog 🎙️

This week for Three Tune Tuesday I’m picking tunes from eighties Washington DC Punk Scene! I covered the Southern California Eighties punk scene for the past few weeks and figured I’d give the DC scene at least one week. Let’s discuss below! ⬇️

Gene Talks Tunes Ep 133
(ThreeTuneTuesday Edition)

• Eighties DC Punk Rock
• First Tune (Bad Brains)
• Second Tune (Fugazi)
• Third Tune (Dag Nasty)
• Bonus Tune (more Fugazi)

I ended up changing my first song pick from my vlog above. I went with the song Banned In D.C. instead and I picked a live version from a show at C.B.G.B’s. I’ll do the original pick Leaving Babylon below as a bonus!

Band - Bad Brains
Song - Banned In D.C.
Album - Bad Brains (1982)

Band - Fugazi
Song - Waiting Room
Album - 13 Songs (1989)

Band - Dag Nasty
Song - Circles
Album - Can I Say (1986)

Ok bonus tunes below! I picked a song from the second tunes band (Fugazi) from there follow up second album 1990’s Repeater. The song Merchandise! I also picked the Bad Brains song I mentioned in vlog (Leaving Babylon) as a bonus tune! Enjoy!

Band - Fugazi
Song - Merchandise
Album - Repeater (1990)

Band - Bad Brains
Song - Leaving Babylon
Album - Bad Brains (1982)

Thanks for swinging by! Also big thanks to @ablaze for hosting #ThreeTuneTuesday weekly along with his weekly prize giveaway! Go check ‘em out for more info!

My hive blog ends here! The below is separate additional information for anyone wanting more information!

I asked a AI Chat for what they’d say in addition to my vlog. Check it out below ⬇️

DC 80s Punk: A Loud, Raw, Beautiful Mess (Fugazi, Bad Brains & Dag Nasty)

Washington D.C. in the ‘80s was a total hotbed for punk rock. I’m talking raw energy, fierce ideals, and bands that straight-up changed music. Three names you have to know if you’re even remotely into punk: Fugazi, Bad Brains, and Dag Nasty. Let’s break it down.

Bad Brains: The Godfathers of Hardcore (with a twist)

First up—Bad Brains. These guys were absolute legends. Black musicians who brought insane speed and musicianship into punk, and they didn’t just play fast—they were tight. Like, really tight. They’d rip through blistering hardcore songs like “Pay to Cum” and then, outta nowhere, drop into a super chill reggae groove. Nobody was doing that at the time.

And live? Forget it. Their shows were chaos. HR (the singer) was unpredictable, doing backflips on stage one minute and meditating the next. They had this crazy combination of aggression and spirituality. It was punk, but not just punk. They paved the way for so many others—not just musically, but in proving that punk didn’t have to be one thing

Dag Nasty: The Emotional Side of Hardcore

Dag Nasty might not be a household name, but they deserve way more love. They were part of a new wave of hardcore bands that weren’t afraid to show some feelings. Think catchy melodies, more personal lyrics, but still with that D.C. punk bite.

Their guitarist, Brian Baker, was in Minor Threat before this (yeah, that Minor Threat). Dag Nasty’s album Can I Say is full of hooks and has that perfect mix of energy and emotion. It’s like if hardcore grew up just a little, but still wanted to smash the system.

Fugazi: No Merch, No Masters

Now for the heavy hitter—Fugazi. This band is the embodiment of D.C. DIY ethics. Formed by Ian MacKaye (from Minor Threat) and Guy Picciotto (from Rites of Spring), Fugazi wasn’t just a band—they were a philosophy. No merch. No $50 tickets. No stage diving. All-ages shows. Five-dollar entries. Total commitment to accessibility and integrity.

Musically, they were a mix of post-hardcore, punk, dub, funk—you name it. It was intense but thoughtful. Their song “Merchandise” says it best: “You are not what you own.” They didn’t just say it—they lived it. Never signed to a major label. Ever.

The Scene Vibe

The D.C. punk scene wasn’t about fame or image. It was political, it was personal, and it was DIY all the way. Bands formed their own label (shoutout to Dischord Records), booked their own tours, made their own rules. It was diverse, chaotic, creative, and always real.

And the music? Still hits hard. Still makes you think. Still makes you wanna yell!

Why It Still Matters

In a world full of branding and polish, the raw honesty of the D.C. scene feels like a breath of fresh air. Fugazi didn’t care about clout. Bad Brains smashed stereotypes. Dag Nasty wore their heart on their sleeve. Together, they showed that punk can be about how you do things, not just what you sound like.

So yeah—go blast some Repeater, throw on Can I Say, or vibe to I Against I. D.C. punk never died. It just evolved.