St. Louis Spuds Soak in 50 years of Devo
There are transformative, memorable, and critical shared events in the history of modern music and culture. Many historians, musicians, fans, and music critics would certainly cite the Beatles’ first US appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” way back on February 9th, 1964, the foul-mouthed yobs and punks of the Sex Pistols on Britains’ “Today Show” with Bill Grundy during the peak of punk rock on December 1st, 1976, or maybe the launch of “MTV” back on August first, 1981 with the first video play of the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.”
For many, however, it was a strange group of five oddballs from Akron, Ohio, known as Devo. On October 14th, 1978, a robotic quintet clad in yellow work outfits and oversized work glasses appeared on “Saturday Night Live” and performed their jaw-dropping and mechanical cover of the 1965 Rolling Stones’ smash hit, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” The band not only rearranged the molecules of this classic number, but they also created an entirely fresh, innovative, and significant performance art movement set to catchy melodies, jarring and satirical visuals, and the concept of Devolution. Their influence has been profound, and unlike other intellectual, avant-garde acts of the UK who were too esoteric or obstuse, Devo knew how to write catchy, edgy hit songs and leverage the power of music videos, fashion, including the recognized “energy dome” hats, to create a whole new entertainment look, feel, and immersive movement. Music that moves your mind and hips, even if in a geeky, perverse fashion, and you’re bathing in modern angst and existentialism.
Devo brought their “50 Years of De-Evolution…Continued!” spectacular for a sold-out Sunday night show at the area’s premier mid-sized concert venue, the Factory, in Chesterfield. Missouri. There were deep cuts from six of the band’s studio albums, hits like “Whip It,” “Freedom of Choice,” and their singular interpretations of the Stones’ classic “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” and the 1960s classic, “Secret Agent Man,” costume changes, stunning visuals and video snippets, and an appearance by Booji Boy for closer “Beautiful World.” The Spuds (Devo fans) were spastic, in a festive mood (many sported red energy dome hats), and ready to see one of the legends of the entire New Wave movement, even though the band formed in 1973 and emerged during the Kent State and turbulent anti-war and cynical times of the Nixon administration. The band’s connection with the audience last night was palpable, making everyone feel a part of this unique live experience.
Original members, the gifted Renaissance leader, fine artist, soundtrack composer, collector, vocalist, keyboardist, “frontman,” and leader of the De-Evolution concept, Mark Mothersbaugh, left-handed bassist, keyboardist, acclaimed videographer, and vocalist, co-founder, co-writer, Gerald Casale, and lead guitarist, Bob Mothersbaugh (Brother Bob), were all on hand. Unfortunately, founding member and brother of Gerald’s, Bob Casale, died in 2014. They were joined by the busy, journeyman drummer Josh Freese and rounded out by guitarist and keyboardist Josh Hager. The five faithfully recreated decades of classics, performed costume changes, and rarely deviated from the original formula, starting at the very sensible time of 7:30 pm and finishing at 9:00 pm. There was no opener. The fans had driven or flown in specifically for this big show. We met folks from Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, and beyond. Devo hasn’t played St. Louis in decades, so even for some of the more “mature” fans, this might have been their first time experiencing Akron’s finest in a live setting. There were even families and younger fans who knew that Devo was a band worthy of their time and reverence.
The merchandise table did a brisk business, with lots of energy domes and tees being acquired, and the fans were in a festive and anticipatory mood. This was going to be a fun show and a blast from the past. No mosh pits, no fights, no shenanigans, and no noticeable drunkenness. It was a sensible Sunday night.
The lights dimmed, the large video screen behind the band came to life, and the video for “Rod The Rooter” began to play. It featured the sleazy 1970s music “mogul” with his polyester blend, chest hair, gold chains, and big cigars dispensing advice and jokes about Kid Rock playing “stadiums.” Mocking the spud boys with derision and a sardonic smile. Video snippets of music videos, interviews, characters, and more visually dazzling images danced in front of the assembled.
The band took the stage and launched into the “Don’t Shoot (I’m A Man)” from their ninth studio album, 2010’s Something for Everybody, the album that brought the boys back from retirement or working on solo projects. This ditty features the patented Devo sound–crunchy, punky guitars, gurgling synths, pulsing danceable beats, and insightful, satirical lyrics. The crowd was on their feet from the first note, and they stayed until the last. Mothersbaugh wore a black T-shirt under a black jacket, sported his trademark designer specs, and the other members wore “street clothes” before the costume changeovers later in the show. The lighting was superb, and the sound was pumping and bass-heavy. No expense was spared in producing a big happening.
Mark Mothersbaugh, full of energy, moved from his collection of synths to standing mid-stage to belt out tunes and grab his microphone. After finishing the opener, they segued into “Peek-A-Boo!” from Oh, No! It’s DEVO, “Going Over,” and “That’s Good,” a quirky sing-along number also from Oh, No! It’s DEVO. The band’s energy was infectious, keeping the audience excited and engaged throughout the show.
They played a couple of hits in quick succession, the gurgling, sparkling, euphoric tale of geek lust and teen love anthem “Girl You Want” from the chart-topping third studio album, 1980’s pivotal and groundbreaking release, Freedom of Choice, which also spawned their next, and best-known tune, “Whip It.” Both hit songs also featured amazing videos of skateboarders, break dancers, cracking whips, and plastic spud cowboys. It was more fun than a barrel full of monkeys watching enthusiastic members of the crowd re-enact Girl, as well as make whip motions during “Whip It.” It was a glorious sight, demonstrating the impact of Devo’s music, hooky melodies, awesome lyrics, and revolutionary videos and costumes. Devo makes music that makes you move, groove, smile, laugh, and think. The messages of ecological disaster, the absurdities of 21st-century life, consumerism, existential threats, and modern love have never sounded so radio-friendly.
Before breaking into their two best-known and popular covers of The Rolling Stones’ Satisfaction, and PF Sloan’s “Secret Agent Man,” videos lit up the screens, the boys exited to make a costume change as the crowd was entertained with a video of Carl Sagan. Devo’s hurky-jerky, robotic, and synchophated rendition of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” remains one of the most amazing covers ever performed (even Mick Jagger approved), and is now part of modern culture as it’s in commercials and Scorsese movies, including 1995’s mob classic “Casino.” Scorcese also used Devo’s “Uncontrollable Urge” in the worldwide smash film, “Wolf of Wall Street.” During the latter, the band synchronized their movements, advancing to the punky guitar chugs and refrains of “yeah, yeah, yeah, yah!”. That, and that alone, might have made the show worth the price of admission.
And, they were just getting warmed up, the band played four more tunes including “Jocko Homo” before finishing the night with a three-song encore including “Freedom of Choice,” “Gut Feeling (Slapping Your Mammy), and closer, “Beatiful World.”
“Freedom Of Choice’s” message and lyrics are even more relevant now than they were when the song was released in 1980 during Regan’s and the Moral Majority’s ascendancy and dominance in US politics. Something’s never changed, and in this case, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Behind the band, large graphics displayed the messages “Freedom of Choice” and “Freedom FROM Choice.” That message is more relevant 45 years later than when Mothersbaugh and Casale penned it.
And, the closer “Beautiful World” is a seemingly joyful song, until you listen to the lyrics: “It’s a beautiful world, for you, it’s a beautiful world, not me.” That’s the magic of Devo: they can make you feel sunny and dance, even when they’re cynical and you’re in on the joke. It is a beautiful world (with a menacing nightmare below the surface), and Devo makes it so. May they reign forever.
