It was recorded at Don Zientara's Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, VA and the Dischord House in 1988.

First Demo was released on LP, CD and as a digital download.

First Demo was recorded in January 1988 with the band having only performed 10 shows together.

The album features the 10 tracks from the original demo tape, including "In Defense of Humans", which was released on 1989's State of the Union compilation, "The Word", originally released on 20 Years of Dischord, as well as an additional track from the session, "Turn Off Your Guns", a song previously never released in its studio form and only available through the Fugazi Live Series.

[12] Some songs recorded during these sessions would later be re-recorded and put out on later releases; all but "Furniture", "The Word", "In Defense of Humans", and "Turn Off Your Guns" would be released on future albums within the following five years.