Despite being labelled a joke band whose deadpan humor and absurd live show featuring over the top science fiction references made them a fixture in the early American New Wave scene, Devo’s genesis was born of more serious circumstances. Their band name came from the concept of “de-evolution” (an idea that mankind had begun to regress) which was developed as a joke by Gerald Casale (lead vocals) and Bob Lewis (guitar) who were Kent State University art students in the late 60’s. However, that commentary on the dysfunction caused by herd mentality in American society took a much more serious turn in 1970 when members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a crowd of unarmed students protesting the Vietnam War, killing four of them and setting off a national movement. This event served as a catalyst for Devo to form, setting them off on a journey that while cheeky on its face always contained grave undertones on the risks of not questioning authority.
Their brilliantly titled debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! was released nearly a decade following those events and set off in motion a New Wave explosion in the American music scene. As you would expect from a Brian Eno produced album it is weird, quirky, and an absolutely one of a kind piece of art rock Americana. Come for the frenetic rhythm of the hook-filled “Uncontrollable Urge” but stay for the weird detours like you’ll hear on “Too Much Paranoias” and “Gut Feeling / (Slap Your Mammy)”.
Standout Songs: “Uncontrollable Urge”, “Space Junk”, “Mongoloid”, “Gut Feeling / (Slap Your Mammy)”
Matthew. 