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.
Shout
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm shoutin' about the world outside
I'm shoutin' because you just can't hide
I'm shoutin' from the plain honest truth
I'm shoutin' there's so much we could do
Shout i'm shoutin' shoutin' shoutin'
I'm shoutin' because it's hard to believe
I'm shoutin' we're waitin' for a reply
I'm shoutin' for the very last time
Shout well baby this one's for you
Shout for everything that you do
Shout until the battle is won
Shout we'll live to fight on and on
And when you add it all together
And when you roll it in a ball
And when you watch another pyramid
As it's about to fall
Remember you were there
Remember if you care
All those who held their ground
When it all came down
Said shout shout
Shout it out
In Devo’s song Shout, the singer is expressing frustration about the state of the world, and calling for action to be taken so that things can improve. The lyrics are filled with a sense of urgency and a desire for change. The singer believes that the truth about what is happening in the world cannot be hidden, and that everyone needs to take responsibility for the problems that exist.
The refrain “shout shout” is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the urgency of the singer’s message. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of unity, as though the singer is calling for everyone to join together and shout as one. The singer is shouting for a reply, as though he is calling out to those who can make a difference to come forward and take action.
The song ends with an appeal to remember those who stood their ground when everything was falling apart. This suggests that the singer is calling for bravery and resilience in the face of adversity, and for people to continue fighting for what is right even when the odds seem insurmountable. Overall, Shout is a powerful statement about the need for people to come together and work towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Shout shout
I am speaking loudly and passionately.
I'm shoutin' about the world outside
I am making noise about the world outside of our immediate surroundings.
I'm shoutin' because you just can't hide
I am shouting because hiding from the truth is not possible.
I'm shoutin' from the plain honest truth
I am making noise about the pure, unvarnished truth.
I'm shoutin' there's so much we could do
I am shouting that there are countless opportunities for positive change.
Shout i'm shoutin' shoutin' shoutin'
I am continuing to speak loudly and passionately.
I'm shoutin' because it's hard to believe
I am making noise due to disbelief about something.
I'm shoutin' it's so easy to see
I am shouting because something is very obvious.
I'm shoutin' we're waitin' for a reply
I am making noise because we are waiting for a response.
I'm shoutin' for the very last time
I am making noise for the final time.
Shout well baby this one's for you
I am speaking loudly for someone special.
Shout for everything that you do
I am making noise in recognition of all their efforts.
Shout until the battle is won
I will keep speaking loudly until the mission has been accomplished.
Shout we'll live to fight on and on
We will continue making noise and persevering.
And when you add it all together
When you take everything into account.
And when you roll it in a ball
When you take all the different parts and put them together.
And when you watch another pyramid
When you observe another organization or entity.
As it's about to fall
As it is on the verge of collapse.
Remember you were there
Remember that you were present and participated.
Remember if you care
Remember that if you truly care, you will take action.
All those who held their ground
All those who remained steadfast and committed.
When it all came down
When everything crumbled and fell apart.
Said shout shout
Let us all make some noise and speak passionately.
Shout it out
Keep communicating and making noise.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GERALD V. CASALE, MARK ALLEN MOTHERSBAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind