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.
Modern Life
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whoa. It's a modern life.
It's a modern life but it's not what it's 'sposed to be.
Whoa. It's a modern life.
The potential was there but it got tossed in the can
Too many corkscrews to carry out the plan
You're tryin to make a difference but you're just another man.
It's a modern life but it's not what you're looking for.
Whoa. What you're lookin' for.
Whoa. Time to let it go.
It's a modern life but it's not what it's 'sposed to be.
Whoa. It's a modern life.
It's a modern life but it looks like it came from a zoo
Whoa. Like it came from a zoo.
You had a different idea but now you're just out of luck
You hunt a bargain just to save a buck
Now you're still on the job and it looks like you're stuck
It's a modern life but it's not what you're lookin' for
Whoa. It's a modern life.
It's a modern life but it reads better on TV
Whoa. It's a modern life.
Time to pay up, motherfucker.
It's a modern life but it's not what it's 'sposed to be.
Whoa. It's a modern life.
It's a modern life but it looks like it came from a zoo
Whoa. Like it came from a zoo.
You had a different idea but now you're just out of luck
You hunt a bargain just to save a buck
Now you're still on the job and it looks like you're stuck
It's a modern life but it's not what you're lookin' for.
Whoa. It's a modern life.
Time to pay up, motherfucker.
It's a modern life but it's not what it's 'sposed to be.
Whoa. It's a modern life.
Time to pay up, motherfucker.
It's a modern life but it's not what you're lookin' for.
Whoa. It's a modern life.
It's a modern life but it's not what you're lookin' for.
Whoa. It's a modern life.
It's a modern life but it's not what you're lookin' for.
Whoa. It's a modern life.
Devo's song Modern Life is a commentary on the dissatisfaction and disillusionment felt in the modern world. The lyrics suggest that despite the potential for progress and improvement, something has gone wrong along the way. The opening lines make it clear that what people see around them is not what they had hoped for, and the repeated refrain of "whoa" gives a sense of frustration and disappointment. The references to corkscrews and bargains suggest that people are struggling to make ends meet and achieve their goals despite the obstacles in their way. The line "it looks like it came from a zoo" is a metaphor for the chaos and confusion of modern life.
The song is a call to action, demanding that people take responsibility for making the world a better place. The repeated line "time to pay up, motherfucker" suggests that there is a price to be paid for the mistakes and shortcomings of the past, and that real change will require a willingness to sacrifice and work hard.
Overall, Modern Life is a powerful critique of modern society, highlighting the ways in which people have fallen short of their potential and urging them to do better.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a modern life but it's not what you're lookin' for.
Despite being in a modern era, everything around you does not meet your expectations or desires.
Whoa. It's a modern life.
Acknowledging the difficulties of living in a modern society.
It's a modern life but it's not what it's 'sposed to be.
The ideal version of modern society that was promised to you is not what you are experiencing.
The potential was there but it got tossed in the can
The potential for a better society was present, but it was wasted or discarded.
Too many corkscrews to carry out the plan
The plan for a better society was too complicated or obstructed to be successfully implemented.
You're tryin to make a difference but you're just another man.
Despite your efforts to make a positive impact on society, you are just one person and the problems are too great to solve alone.
Whoa. What you're lookin' for.
Emphasizing the dissatisfaction and disillusionment with the current state of society.
Whoa. Time to let it go.
Advising to let go of the idea of a perfect society and to accept the reality of the modern world.
It's a modern life but it looks like it came from a zoo
The chaos and disorder of modern society make it seem like an untamed and wild environment like a zoo.
You had a different idea but now you're just out of luck
The original vision or idea for a better society is no longer possible due to various factors and circumstances.
You hunt a bargain just to save a buck
The constant pursuit of cheaper deals or discounts to save money in a struggling economy.
Now you're still on the job and it looks like you're stuck
Despite efforts to improve your situation, you are still stuck in the same situation or job without much hope for change.
It reads better on TV
The idea of a perfect modern society is often portrayed as ideal or achievable on television, but it is not the reality for most people.
Time to pay up, motherfucker.
The harsh reality of living in a modern society, where sometimes you have to pay the price for the damaging effects of it.
Contributed by Amelia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.