Devo

Bio

Devo is an American rock group formed in Akron, Ohio, United States in 1972. The band split in 1991 and returned in 1996. The band currently consists of Gerald Casale (vocals, bass), Mark Mothersbaugh (vocals, synthesizer), Bob Mothersbaugh (guitar) and Josh Freese (drums). Former members include Bob Casale (guitar, keyboards) (born July 14, 1952; died February 17, 2014) and Alan Myers (drums) (born 1955; died 2013). The band released their first album in 20 years, Something for Everybody on June 15, 2010. Their style has been variously classified as punk, industrial and rock, but are most often considered to be the 70s/early 80s New Wave band that ushered in the synth pop of the 1980s, along with other acts such as Gary Numan and The B-52s. Devo's music and stage show mingle kitsch science fiction themes, deadpan surrealist humor, and mordantly satirical social commentary, often dealing with the concept of De-Evolution, in sometimes-discordant pop songs that often feature unusual synthetic instrumentation and time signatures. Their work has proved hugely influential on subsequent popular music, particularly New Wave, alternative and grunge music, they created some memorable music videos popular in the early days of MTV. The name "Devo" comes from the concept of Devolution (also referred to by the band as de-evolution). This idea was developed as a joke by Kent State University art students Gerald Casale and Bob Lewis as early as the late 1960s. Casale and Lewis created a number of art pieces in the vein of Devolution. At this time, Casale had also performed with the local band 15-60-75. They met Mark Mothersbaugh around 1970, who introduced them to the pamphlet Jocko Homo Heavenbound, which would later inspire the song Jocko Homo The pivotal moment for the formation of Devo was the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970. Casale knew two of the murdered students, and even saw one student, Allison Krause, with exit wounds from the M1 Garand rifle. At this moment, Casale claims he changed the idea of Devolution into a serious concept. The first form of Devo was the Sextet Devo which performed at the 1973 Kent State performing arts festival. It included Casale, Lewis and Mothersbaugh, as well as Gerald's brother Bob Casale on guitar, and friends Rod Reisman and Fred Weber on drums and vocals, respectively. This performance was filmed and a part was included on the home video The Complete Truth About De-evolution. This lineup only performed once. Devo returned to perform in the Student Governance Center (featured prominently in the film) at the 1974 Creative Arts Festival with a line-up including the Casale brothers, Bob Lewis, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Jim Mothersbaugh on drums. Devo later formed as a quartet focusing around Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale. They recruited Mark's brothers Bob Mothersbaugh and Jim Mothersbaugh. Bob played electric guitar, and Jim provided percussion using a set of homemade electronic drums. This lineup of Devo lasted until 1976 when Jim left the band. The lineup was occasionally fluid, and Bob Lewis would sometimes play guitar during this period. In concert, Devo would often perform in the guise of theatrical characters, such as Booji Boy, and The Chinaman. Live concerts from this period were often confrontational, and would remain so until 1977. A recording of an early Devo performance from 1975 with the quartet lineup appears on DEVO Live: The Mongoloid Years, ending with the promoters unplugging Devo's equipment. Following Jim Motherbaugh's departure, Bob Mothersbaugh found a new drummer in Alan Myers, who played a conventional, acoustic drum set with mechanical precision. Casale re-recruited his brother Bob Casale, and the popular line-up of Devo was formed. It would endure for nearly ten years. Devo embarked on a Euro-Tour 2007 on June 16th in Barcelona. They also performed concerts in Brighton, London, Manchester and Glasgow. More information about it can be found here. In May 2020 Devo re-opened their online store where face masks with logo designs and an infamous Energy Dome with the attacheable protective shield can be pre-ordered to help their fans protect themselves from Covid-19. . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

Similar artists

The B-52's, Oingo Boingo, Talking Heads, Gang of Four, XTC

Genres

new wave,post-punk,80s,alternative,rock,electronic,synthpop,punk,american,experimental rock,art punk,classic pop and rock,proto-punk,alternative rock,dance rock,new romantic,new wave pop,synth punk,zolo,

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Infos

On Tour: No

country: US

City: Akron

Begin Date: 1972

Last Update:

Artist next concerts

by

Song Kick

The B-52's and Devo with The Rezillos and Lene Lovich at The O2 (June 20, 2026)

London - The O2

20/Jun

2026

The B-52's and Devo with The Rezillos and Lene Lovich at AO Arena (June 21, 2026)

Manchester - AO Arena

21/Jun

2026

Devo at Old National Centre (June 2, 2026)

Indianapolis - Old National Centre

2/Jun

2026

Devo at Akron Civic Theatre (June 3, 2026)

Akron - Akron Civic Theatre

3/Jun

2026

Devo at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor (June 5, 2026)

Windsor - The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor

5/Jun

2026

Devo at Capitol Theatre (June 9, 2026)

Port Chester - Capitol Theatre

9/Jun

2026

Devo at The Lyric (June 10, 2026)

Baltimore - The Lyric

10/Jun

2026

Devo at Borgata Event Center (June 12, 2026)

Philadelphia - Borgata Event Center

12/Jun

2026

Devo at Premier Theater, Foxwoods Resort Casino (June 13, 2026)

Mashantucket - Premier Theater, Foxwoods Resort Casino

13/Jun

2026

Devo at Buffalo AKG Art Museum (June 6, 2026)

Buffalo - Buffalo AKG Art Museum

6/Jun

2026

Videography

Devo - Whip It (Official Music Video) | Warner Vault

Devo - Whip It (Official Music Video) | Warner Vault

Apr/2026

Artist discography

by

Last FM

Way Bigger 2 [Explicit]

Way Bigger 2 [Explicit]

May/2020

Way Bigger on the Low [Explicit]

Way Bigger on the Low [Explicit]

May/2020

Secret Touch - Single

Secret Touch - Single

May/2020

On the Way (feat. Resthemess) - Single

On the Way (feat. Resthemess) - Single

May/2020

2020 [Explicit]

2020 [Explicit]

May/2020

The Power of Positive Thinking (Live 1980)

The Power of Positive Thinking (Live 1980)

Apr/2020

Honest

Apr/2020

Coffee Shop Remix

Coffee Shop Remix

Apr/2020

Clockout (Live)

Clockout (Live)

Apr/2020

Quickie (Remix) - Single

Quickie (Remix) - Single

Mar/2020

Live on Radio in '77

Live on Radio in '77

Mar/2020

Perfect [Explicit]

Perfect [Explicit]

Mar/2020

Eazy - Single

Jun/2022

Orpheum Theatre, Boston, Ma 17th July 1980

Orpheum Theatre, Boston, Ma 17th July 1980

Apr/2022

Across The Wave [Explicit]

Across The Wave [Explicit]

Feb/2022

X Factor (feat. Jake Mela) - Single

X Factor (feat. Jake Mela) - Single

Feb/2022

Like Damn

Feb/2022

Like Damn [Explicit]

Like Damn [Explicit]

Feb/2022

Gwop Flow

Jan/2022

Gwop Flow [Explicit]

Gwop Flow [Explicit]

Jan/2022

Are We Not Live? Orpheum Theatre, 17th July 1980

Are We Not Live? Orpheum Theatre, 17th July 1980

Jan/2022

Devo: Satisfaction, Live At Mabuhay Gardens, San Francisco 1977

Devo: Satisfaction, Live At Mabuhay Gardens, San Francisco 1977

Jan/2022

Devo: Are We Not Live? Orpheum Theatre, 17th July 1980

Devo: Are We Not Live? Orpheum Theatre, 17th July 1980

Jan/2022

S1 Ep: 1 - EP

Dec/2021

Fame

Dec/2021

Fame [Explicit]

Fame [Explicit]

Dec/2021

Empathically Blind - Single

Empathically Blind - Single

Dec/2021

Sana W Nos (feat. Electro) - Single

Sana W Nos (feat. Electro) - Single

Jul/2022

Tout péter - Single

Tout péter - Single

Aug/2022

Gun Play

Aug/2022

Hazem

Aug/2022

Losing Control - Single

Losing Control - Single

Aug/2022

zahr

Sep/2022

Live 1981

Oct/2022

Lorry

Oct/2022

Pop My Shit

Jul/2022

New Traditionalists - Live 1981 Seattle (Live In Seattle / 1981)

New Traditionalists - Live 1981 Seattle (Live In Seattle / 1981)

Jun/2023

Something Else For Everybody (Unreleased Demos and Focus Group Rejects 2006-2009)

Something Else For Everybody (Unreleased Demos and Focus Group Rejects 2006-2009)

May/2023

GHNM

Apr/2023

ça dead - Single

ça dead - Single

Apr/2023

Igo - Single

Feb/2023

No Te Creo

Jun/2023

Hardcore Devo, Vol. 1 (Vol. 1 1974-1977)

Hardcore Devo, Vol. 1 (Vol. 1 1974-1977)

May/2023

Greatest Hits Live (Live)

Greatest Hits Live (Live)

May/2023

Hardcore Devo, Vol. 2 (Vol. 2 1974-1977)

Hardcore Devo, Vol. 2 (Vol. 2 1974-1977)

May/2023

Live In New York 1980

Live In New York 1980

Aug/2023

ZHOODIES - Single

ZHOODIES - Single

Feb/2024

ZHOODIES

Feb/2024

BARBIE

Jan/2024

Barbie - Single

Barbie - Single

Jan/2024

Reappear [Explicit]

Reappear [Explicit]

Dec/2023

Resplendent Rhapsody - Single

Resplendent Rhapsody - Single

Dec/2023

Peaceful Portico - Single

Peaceful Portico - Single

Dec/2023

Mellow Melodies - Single

Mellow Melodies - Single

Dec/2023

Snake Eyes (live Tokyo ’80)

Snake Eyes (live Tokyo ’80)

Nov/2023

Desconectao [Explicit]

Desconectao [Explicit]

Nov/2023

DrakeOs (feat. D.Mar) - Single

DrakeOs (feat. D.Mar) - Single

Nov/2023

Istanbul

Nov/2023

50 Years Of De-Evolution (1973-2023)

50 Years Of De-Evolution (1973-2023)

Oct/2023

All In [Explicit]

All In [Explicit]

May/2024

Dreams

May/2024

the man [Explicit]

the man [Explicit]

Apr/2024

get u [Explicit]

get u [Explicit]

Apr/2024

Besos Pendientes [Explicit]

Besos Pendientes [Explicit]

Mar/2024

Art DEVO

Art DEVO

Oct/2024

A.E.M.C

Sep/2024

This Is The Day (feat. KT) - Single

This Is The Day (feat. KT) - Single

Sep/2024

Total Love

Sep/2024

On Sight [Explicit]

On Sight [Explicit]

Mar/2025

BELLINGHAM [Explicit]

BELLINGHAM [Explicit]

Feb/2025

Prada Us [Explicit]

Prada Us [Explicit]

Jan/2025

Un Ratito

May/2025

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