Devo was formed from a group of Kent State artists and musicians from Akron, Ohio, who had transformed overnight from hippies to cynical pessimists after seeing their friends murdered by the Ohio National Guard in the 1970 Kent State massacre. What started as a cynical joke, a theory that mankind in modern society had begun to de-evolve, would eventually form the basis of one of the key acts of American new wave.
Devo started off as an angular, herky-jerky art-punk act, with satirical lyrics and an eccentric public image, appearing in matching sci-fi-kitsch costumes on stage. As with many bands of the era, their use of synths grew as the ‘80s began. With Devo, that was a pretty good thing, actually, as their use of synths suited their off-kilter, robotic image.
The problem, though, with having an appeal that relies so much on quirky eccentricity is that things can “devolve” [sorry, Devo!] into mere novelty act pretty quickly. Devo remains an essential new wave listen; that said, I’d say an hour and ten minutes of Devo is all anyone but the most hardcore fan would ever need.
So here you are.
Enjoy!
Cover Art:
- Q: Are we Not Men? A: We are Devo! and Freedom of Choice: Source, Discogs.com, Fair use.
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