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.
Patterns
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Patterns everywhere
Patterns of behavior
Sometimes seem unfair
Can you recognize the patterns that you find?
Patterns unfamiliar
Patterns lead you through (to)
Tracing out the clues
Can you recognize the patterns that you find?
Stuck in your mind
In this land where stability is hard to find
You can rearrange the patterns so unkind
Don't bother asking why a pattern never cries
Old patterns never die they just go on and on
Patterns multiplying
Re-direct our view
Endless variations
Make it all seem new
Devo's "Patterns" is a song about the human tendency to fall into predetermined patterns of behavior, thought, and perception. The lyrics suggest that these patterns are all around us, and we need to be aware of them to break free and see the world anew. The first verse sets up the idea that patterns are ubiquitous and ever-present, but not always fair. The repetition of the question "Can you recognize the patterns that you find?" reminds the listener that patterns are often subliminal and we need to be mindful of our own patterns. The phrase "Stuck in your mind" at the end of the verse suggests that patterns can be limiting and even damaging if we don't break free from them.
Line by Line Meaning
Patterns all around you
There are many recurring activities and behaviors around you
Patterns everywhere
These activities and behaviors can be found in every aspect of life
Patterns of behavior
Certain behaviors happen over and over again
Sometimes seem unfair
These behaviors are not always just or reasonable
Can you recognize the patterns that you find?
Are you able to identify these repetitive behaviors that you see?
Patterns unfamiliar
There are patterns you have not seen before
Patterns lead you through (to)
These strange and unknown patterns can guide you to something
Patterns of discovery
New experiences and ideas can be discovered through patterns
Tracing out the clues
You can figure out what is happening by following these patterns and clues
Can you recognize the patterns that you find?
Can you identify these newly-discovered patterns?
Stuck in your mind
These patterns are not easily forgotten
In this land where stability is hard to find
This world can be unpredictable and unstable
You can rearrange the patterns so unkind
You have the ability to change the negative patterns that surround you
Don't bother asking why a pattern never cries
Repetitive behaviors do not feel emotions or show sadness
Old patterns never die they just go on and on
Even if you try to break free from these behaviors, they will still continue
Patterns multiplying
More and more patterns are emerging
Re-direct our view
These new patterns can change our perspective on things
Endless variations
There are many different types of patterns and behaviors
Make it all seem new
These different patterns can make everything feel fresh and exciting
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GERALD CASALE, MARK ALLEN MOTHERSBAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind