Epic Problem

Ian MacKaye talks a bit about the song in this interview: http://www.markprindle.com/mackaye-i.htm

I was reading an interview and its name was about how they couldn't figure out how to flesh out the song fully. they wanted to put more riffs in there. I think that is the epic problem half of the song.

this song is rad. i really like the breakdown at the end. i have no idea what this song is about. it's cool though.

I heard this was a song they worked on since the time of repeater or something. it's def my fave off of argument

the "stop" part between lines reminds me of a telegram. they use to read like that. this a great song with superb lyrics.

i think its lecture charade.. not accessory

Read the lyric sheet with the album. It's 'accessory'. As far as a meaning, I'm not sure about the first half. The epic problem part has this meaning to me: Sometimes in my life, I can feel like things aren't so great, but in the grand scheme of things, my "epic problem" isn't really that big of a problem, and I can deal with it. Still, I may feel like I am "broken", but other people don't notice anything.

To me, the first half is a criticism to cliched or meaningless messages. He's reading "congragulation" stop. "wish you could be there" stop. His response is "tell me something that I don't know", and notice that it's not another message because there's no "stop." after it. They're saying that those messages aren't saying shit, and it's genius how it's in a telegram form which really highlights how insignificant the messages are since they're told from a complete stranger instead of coming straight from the source. It's the same for the "we regret.." part and "miss you.." part.

As for the 'accessory' part, I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say that the 'accessory' is referring to the person delivering the telegram. He's an 'accessory' to the offense of delivering a personal message in such a impersonal way. No idea on what the 'time' means.

Overall the first half is talking about conveying messages in an inappropriate manner.

The second half is kind of straight forward. But the beauty of Fugazi is that they could have two or more messages in one song, and although each message could be deciphered, it's hard to see how they relate to one another. See 'Do You Like Me'.

The epic problem is lack of integrity. The first half of the song is the narrator telling someone else "Congratulations" or "Wish I could be there," etc. but in his mind he's telling himself "stop" because he doesn't mean a word of it. I read "Accessory" as "accessory to the crime"; as he's created this fake personality outside himself that pretends to be into things he's not into, and he considers this personality the one committing the lies, not himself.

The last half of the song talks about how being disingenuous is a problem he knows he has, but in practice he has no problem whatsoever putting on the same facade again and again. "Outside it's all production, it's all illusion, set scenery" and "I'm working as far as you can see" are just further metaphors for the lack of integrity.

As for if this is the narrator talking about his own epic problem, or putting himself into the shoes of a politician, business man, the government in general...

realitysoldier has a pretty good interpretation, and here is mine:

First I think it's about how he sees many conversations as accessories. They don't mean anything, you just have them to pretend to be social. Words come out of your mouth, but they are not important, they do not mean anything.

"congratulations. stop. wish i could be there. stop." It's just filling, stuffing.

The other part:

"i've got this epic problem this epic problem's not a problem for me" He KNOWS he is different, in a way that could be perceived as bad. But he is fine anyway. He is comfortable with who he is.

"and inside i know i'm broken but i'm working as far as you can see and outside it's all production it's all illusion set scenery i've got this epic problem this epic problem's not a problem for me "

He is hiding who he is.

That's my take on it. My english is crap, so sorry for that.

This is one of my favorite songs, it's just so full of emotions. Both in lyrics and sound.