Always a fun band back in their prime, Devo seemed really intent on shaking things up in mainstream music – mentally, sonically and visually. The group’s thematic concept was based on “de-evolution” – that society was actually regressing instead of progressing, and Devo created mechanical-sounding music with accompanying visuals that were at the cutting edge and early days of the 70s New Wave movement.
A lot of what Devo did was just too far from the average person’s experience of what music was supposed to be, represent and sound like, and many people missed the boat. Some did get it big time: after Devo did the soundtrack for a short film in 1976 called “The Truth About De-Evolution,” David Bowie and Iggy Pop helped get the band signed to Warner Brothers records.
The first track many people heard from Devo was their version of The Rolling Stones classic, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” which was so ‘out there’ it was virtually unrecognizable from its original…
![Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (Deluxe Version) [Remastered] - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction](http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/badgeitunes61x15dark.gif){kind=small}
Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (Deluxe Version) [Remastered] - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction Devo – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (1978)
The closest Devo got to crossing paths with the mainstream was with their 1980 Top 20 U.S. hit, “Whip It” – the band played it on Jimmy Kimmel last week…
Devo - Freedom of Choice (Deluxe Version) [Remastered] - Whip It Devo – Whip It
Jimmy Kimmel Live – April 20, 2010
The band has an interesting promo going on right now: “Devo Song Study” gives fans the chance to pick the songs that will make up the new disc. Devo have posted 16 tracks for fan review in the study, and needs help cutting the list down to the final 12; band spokesperson Jakob walks you through the process…
Devo – Devo Song Study (2010)
Here’s two of the songs in the study for your consideration…both from last week’s Kimmel appearance…
Devo - Song Study - EP - Fresh Devo – Fresh
Jimmy Kimmel Live – April 20, 2010
Devo - Song Study - EP - What We Do Devo – What We Do
Jimmy Kimmel Live – April 20, 2010
