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.
Here to Go
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't need to be told
What you got to do
Yet there's a certain breed
So very in between
They'd rather take a vote
Running short on time
Still they can't decide
That we are here to go
We are here to go
We are here to go
We are here to go
We are here to go
What is really mine
Who's at the top of the pile
Where does he draw the line
Let them figure it out
Go on and step across
Just remind yourself
That we are here to go
When it grows too long
The tail wags the dog
The hand that bites gets fed
Troubled multiply
The crowd begins to cry
For some common sense
Let them all dig in
When the odds are no win
Head for the nearest door
'cause we are here to go
Go!
The lyrics to Devo's song "Here to Go" reflect a sense of urgency and the need for action in various situations. The line "If you smell the smoke you don't need to be told what you got to do" suggests that sometimes we just have to trust our instincts and take action when we sense danger or trouble. The song also discusses the tendency for some people to avoid making decisions and instead rely on group consensus, even when time is running out. But the chorus reminds us that ultimately, we are all "here to go" - we have a purpose and a mission to fulfill, and sometimes that means taking risks and making tough choices.
The lyrics also touch on issues of power and hierarchy, with lines like "What is really mine, who's at the top of the pile, where does he draw the line?" suggesting a questioning of authority and a desire for equality. The phrase "the tail wags the dog" is often used to describe a situation where a less important part of a system is in control of the whole, which could refer to situations where the people in charge are not actually serving the interests of those they are supposed to represent.
Overall, "Here to Go" is a call to action and a statement of purpose - we are here to move forward, to make decisions, and to take control of our own lives and destinies.
Line by Line Meaning
If you smell the smoke
When there's a problem or danger, its signs will be obvious.
You don't need to be told
You don't require information or instruction to recognize something is wrong.
What you got to do
You have to take action to respond to the problem or danger.
Yet there's a certain breed
However, there is a specific group of people.
So very in between
These people are indecisive and don't take a clear stance on the issue.
They'd rather take a vote
They prefer to take a democratic decision-making approach.
Running short on time
There's limited time to come to a decision.
Still they can't decide
Despite the time constraint, the group cannot come to a conclusive decision.
But we already know
However, we (Devo and/or the artist) have already made a decision.
That we are here to go
That decision is that we are meant to progress and move forward.
What is really mine
What belongs to me in this situation.
Who's at the top of the pile
Who is the most powerful or in control in this situation.
Where does he draw the line
What is the limit to their power and influence.
Let them figure it out
Let those in control address these issues and come to their own conclusions.
Go on and step across
In the meantime, don't be afraid to step out of line if necessary.
Just remind yourself
Remember and reaffirm.
That we are here to go
Our purpose is to make progress.
When it grows too long
When any situation or system becomes overly complicated and inefficient.
The tail wags the dog
Minor details or weaker components can direct the overall course of events or decisions.
The hand that bites gets fed
An aggressive, combative approach is often rewarded or prioritized in power structures.
Troubled multiply
When one issue arises, many more tend to follow.
The crowd begins to cry
People start to demand action or change.
For some common sense
People are looking for basic, logical solutions and actions.
Let them all dig in
Let everyone work together to address the issues at hand.
When the odds are no win
When success is unlikely or impossible.
Head for the nearest door
Sometimes, the best or only solution is to leave the situation entirely.
'cause we are here to go
Returning to the main message of the song that the purpose is to make progress and move forward.
Go!
Encouraging action and forward movement.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GERALD V. CASALE, MARK ALLEN MOTHERSBAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind