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.
Bottled Up
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nurse says you ain't got much to give
Don't listen to your doctor
Don't play up to the nurse
Wave goodbye to your doctor
Just because you're bottled up
Got to get unbottled up
The song "Bottled Up" by Devo talks about a person who is sick and has been told by their doctor that they don't have much time left to live. The lyrics suggest that the person should not listen to the doctor and play up to the nurse, but rather wave goodbye to the doctor and get unbottled up. This can be interpreted as the person being trapped or restricted by their illness or the medical establishment, and the lyrics urge the person to break free and live their life on their own terms.
The phrase "bottled up" can also mean keeping your emotions, thoughts, or feelings inside and not expressing them. This could suggest that the person is not only physically ill but also emotionally and mentally trapped. The lyrics challenge the person to get unbottled up, or to express themselves and live freely.
Overall, the lyrics of "Bottled Up" urge the listener to break through the limitations that are imposed on them, whether they be physical or emotional, and to live their life freely.
Line by Line Meaning
Doctor says you ain't got long to live
The medical professional has diagnosed you with a terminal illness, indicating that you have limited time left to live.
Nurse says you ain't got much to give
The healthcare provider states that you do not have many resources or strength left in you.
Don't listen to your doctor
Do not blindly follow the instructions of your doctor without questioning or exploring other options.
Don't play up to the nurse
Avoid trying to impress or flatter the nurse and instead focus on your own well-being.
Wave goodbye to your doctor
Say farewell to the medical professional, indicating dissatisfaction or disagreement with their diagnosis or treatment plan.
Just because you're bottled up
Feeling restricted or confined in your current situation.
Got to get unbottled up
Find a way to break free from the constraints or limitations holding you back and regain control over your life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GERALD V. CASALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alix
early devo sound is so unique man
PassengersMusic777
This song is amazing! I love this sound!
Alix
Doctor says you ain't got long to live
Nurse says you ain't got much to give
Don't listen to your doctor
Don't play up to the nurse
Wave goodbye to your doctor
Just because you're bottled up
Got to get unbottled up
Jamie McElroy
There is deep meaning to these lyrics, as with alot of Devo's catalog. I'm just learning myself on the journey, like all songs with deeper meaning, just there waiting to be discovered. We're all "bottled up" the Greek terminology "entheos" or internal divine power; characteristic of divine inspiration, or "enthusiasm" in American terminology...the shaking up and release of the divine power: "unbottled up" I love it. And everyone loves enthusiasm, whether in ourselves or others. Quite therapeutic or restoring to mind, body, and soul. Get unbottled up...fuck what the doctor says! Another reason I love Devo, deep meanings in songs to be discovered.
fonzieam
Probably my favorite devo song as of today
Mario Valerian
Fantastic sound!
Matthew Carr
this is my favourite devo song. not because it is musically or lyrically expansive, but because the tune masquerades as a fully realized piece while showing nothing otherwise. it may be a fully realized sentiment, and a well adapted tone, rhythm, and melody, but it is a traditional structure and melody first, and a modern sentiment second; done in a typical, offset devo fashion. it signifies their crossover ability without being crossover. it is a pop song in the devo sense and not much else.
desmoface
A real toe tapper.
WoodRatGirl
Lol my friend sent me this song because I hadn't emailed him in awhile.
Simon Barber
This sounds so VERY early! The keyboards! Very like the video of the band at Kent State about 1972, the first time they're in Chimp masks? I've never heard it before and I first heard DEVO in British radio in 1978!!