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.
Speed Racer
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's speed racer and he drives real fast
I drive real fast, I'm gonna last
I'm a big pirate and I like to steal
He's a big pirate and he likes to steal
I like to steal and I like to kill
I'm a barbie doll, but I got brains
She's a barbie doll, but she's got brains
I've got brains and I like sex
Lots of brains and she likes sex
I'm your doctor and here's the bill
He's your doctor and here's the bill
Doctor steel and here's the bill
He likes to steal, so here's your bill
I'm speed racer and I drive real fast
I'm a big pirate and I like to steal
I'm a barbie doll, but I got brains
I'm your doctor and here's the bill
I drive real fast, I'm gonna last
I like to drink and I like to kill
Lots of brains and I like sex
Like to steal, here's your bill
The lyrics to Devo's song "Speed Racer" are a strange mishmash of contradictory and nonsensical phrases. At first glance, it seems like the song is about a character called Speed Racer who enjoys driving fast and stealing things. However, as the lyrics progress, they become increasingly surreal and confusing. The mention of a "barbie doll with brains" and a "doctor who likes to steal" add to the bizarre nature of the song.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that they are a commentary on the shallow and materialistic aspects of modern society. The references to Barbie dolls and doctors billing their patients suggest a culture obsessed with appearance and money. The line "I like to kill" could be read as a metaphor for the destructive tendencies of this culture. The repeated line "I drive real fast, I'm gonna last" could be seen as both a boast and a warning - someone who lives recklessly may end up not living very long.
Another possible interpretation is that the song is simply a stream of consciousness exploration of the themes of speed, theft, and sex. The nonsensical and seemingly random phrases could be seen as a reflection of the chaotic and unpredictable nature of these themes.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm speed racer and I drive real fast
I am someone who likes to drive fast, and I will continue to do so.
I'm a big pirate and I like to steal
I am someone who enjoys taking things that don't belong to me and getting away with it.
Go, go, go speed racer
Encouraging Speed Racer to keep on driving fast.
I'm a barbie doll, but I got brains
Although I may look like a typical, artificially perfect woman, I am actually intelligent and capable.
I'm your doctor and here's the bill
I am your healthcare provider, and I am now presenting you with the cost of the services I have provided.
I drive real fast, I'm gonna last
Since I am able to drive faster than most others, I am likely to survive longer in a race or other high-speed situation.
I like to drink and I like to kill
I enjoy indulging in alcohol, and I also have violent tendencies.
Lots of brains and I like sex
I am intelligent, but I also have sexual desires.
Like to steal, here's your bill
Since I have stolen something from you, I am now presenting you with the cost of that item.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARK ALLEN MOTHERSBAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind