The Lore of Lungfish

By Chris Goett

There is a lot of lore surrounding Lungfish. Perhaps it is because of their enigmatic/charismatic lyricist Daniel Higgs. Perhaps it is because of the fact that they have an ardent and uncompromising fan base yet not a lot of exposure, seldom touring. Perhaps the logic for such lore is inexplicable, but many variables may factor into such an inexplicable formula.

Lungfish hail from Charm City, USA (Baltimore, Maryland). All eight of their full-length albums have been released on Dischord records. They are one of two bands on Dischord not technically 'from' Washington, DC. Other releases (not including appearances on compilations) have come out on Simple Machines Records.

There are few bands that I could almost always listen to when perusing my personal catalogue of artists. Lungfish has and remains to be a staple in that way. Simply put, if I'm going anywhere- long or short distance- the likelihood of Lungfish being on my person in some form is extremely high. Why state this off the bat? It is important to say that this essay is far from "objective". What I am about to attempt is a challenge but also an opportunity to perhaps pique your interest, dear stoic, sarcastic, full-of-ennui reader, of what I think (for whatever that's worth) is a truly remarkable band.

Dischord Records recently released a 20-year retrospective. Within the book of copious liner notes and photos was a description of Lungfish with the following admonition: "Critics have complained that Lungfish seem to play one song over and over, but those in the know say this 'yeah but what an incredible song!'". There most definitely is a kernel of truth to such a statement. Every Lungfish album is inherently familiar. However there is more diversity within their respected catalogue than most critics have the time or patience to document.

To truly listen to a Lungfish record one must board a vessel with no rudder- you are at its mercy. The tonalities shift from placid planes to rhythmic lulls to perilous, tumultuous upheaval. It is careful not to capsize the listener. Throughout an overarching principal of intensity, Lungfish create textures that induce both disassociation and revelation. No mater what the texture- strata of linear music are buttressed by non-linear poetry/lyrics that are both incendiary and probing. Daniel Higgs' stream of consciousness lyrical compositions channel such kindred spirits as physiologists, theologians, mathematicians, existentialists, phenomonologists, and genuine critical thinkers. The resulting poetry and prose exhibits extraordinary levels of allegory and brain-stretching metaphor that both challenge and stimulate.

There are moments where the steady loops of delicately arpeggiated guitar, cardiopulmonary drumming, steadfast bass lines, and dirge-like cerebral vocals loft one's psyche into hypnotic tendencies thereby altering the way mental energy is utilized. The weighty vocals are delivered as if we are overhearing an admonition within a confessional - physically slightly detached in tone; substantively fully grave in content. Within such moments, Lungfish provide the necessary and sufficient conditions, repetitive melodies and rhythms, for a listener to become enraptured by the sustained cognitive object loop of a sufficient length of time that will cause slight dissociation or reverie. These are highly personal and introspective moments.

There are moments where squalls of feedback and eviscerating guitar distortion, venomous slithering bass, and a maelstrom of thundering percussion meet incendiary lyrics. The vocal delivery is like that of a man standing on cliff in the face of a tremendous storm screaming into its gale force winds in defiance of its existence. Experiencing songs like these are grounding and revelatory. One cannot help but feel connected to something larger, due to the alchemy of intensity and brutal honesty (both explicit and implicit).

Perhaps the ultimate testament of the communal nature of their music is to experience one of their live shows. Their performances have become legendary because it melds the livewire spontaneity of Higgs and the precision of the musicianship of the rest of the band. One minute Higgs is quite the punk elder statesmen spewing opaque parables as the audience seemingly hangs onto every word; the next, he is liable to contort and scream like a man possessed. It is this engaging combination that has a member of the audience on constant alert hanging onto every syllable, every note, every beat. This could be why I have never encountered a marginally interested Lungfish fan. Upon discovering that someone has the same interest in Lungfish, you see that person in a light that no conversation could illuminate.

Chris Goett is the rhythm guitar player for Eight Track Mind and founder of the Etxe Collective.