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.
That's Good
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody wants a good thing
Everybody ain't it true that
Everybody's looking for the same thing
Ain't it true there's just no doubt
There's some things that you can't do without
And that's good
You got yours and you got mine
And that's good
Everybody just like you it's true
Everybody wants a good thing too
Everybody it's a good thing
Everybody wants a good thing
Everybody ain't it true that
Everybody's looking for the same thing
Ain't it true there's room for doubt
Maybe some things that you can do without
And that's good
Everybody just like you it's true
Everybody wants a good thing too
Now let's have a great big hand
For everybody who can understand
Life's a bee without a buzz
It's going great till you get stung
And let us not forget to toast
Everyone who might have missed the boat
And to everybody else who waits
Until the next one sails in again
[Repeats]
Everybody it's a good thing
Ain't it true it's a monumental good thing
The Devo song "That's Good" is a commentary on how people naturally desire the good things in life. The lyrics suggest that it is a universally accepted fact that everyone wants a good thing. The song emphasizes this by repeating the phrase "everybody wants a good thing" throughout the track. The song admits that there are some things that are essential and others that are not. Some things are absolute necessities, and they are good because people can't do without them. The song suggests that there is no doubt that these things are good. On the other hand, there are other things that are not inherently good, and it's okay if people can do without them.
The song also acknowledges that life has its ups and downs, using the metaphor of a bee. Life can feel great, like a bee buzzing in a field on a sunny day. However, it can also sting people unexpectedly, causing agony and pain. The song emphasizes the importance of acknowledging that not everyone gets everything they want in life. Some people might miss out on a good thing, but there is always the possibility of another opportunity. Overall, the song is an optimistic celebration of all the good things that people desire and should strive for in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody it's a good thing
Everyone desires to have the best things in life.
Everybody wants a good thing
Everyone desires to have something good in their life.
Everybody ain't it true that
Isn't it true that everyone desires to have a good life?
Everybody's looking for the same thing
Everyone wants to have a good life.
Ain't it true there's just no doubt
It is true and undebatable that there are certain things needed for a good life.
There's some things that you can't do without
Certain things in life are necessary to have a good life.
And that's good
Having things that are necessary for a good life is a good thing.
Ain't it true as the sun that shines
It is true as the sun rises every day that we all have different resources available to us.
You got yours and you got mine
Everyone has different things they have acquired for themselves in life.
Everybody just like you it's true
Everyone, no matter who they are, deserves to have the best life.
Ain't it true there's room for doubt
It is true that there are some things that are not necessary for a good life.
Maybe some things that you can do without
There are some things in life that are not worth pursuing.
Now let's have a great big hand
Let us show appreciation to everyone who understands this fact.
For everybody who can understand
For everyone who understands that there are certain things required and some that are not necessary for a good life.
Life's a bee without a buzz
Life feels incomplete without some excitement or activity.
It's going great till you get stung
Everything might seem fine until something goes wrong.
And let us not forget to toast
We should not forget to acknowledge.
Everyone who might have missed the boat
Everyone who missed their opportunity to better themselves.
And to everybody else who waits
And to those who are still waiting for their opportunity to come.
Until the next one sails in again
Until another opportunity arises.
Ain't it true it's a monumental good thing
It is true and significant that having a good life is important to everyone.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MOTHERSBAUGH CASALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@guyboost7311
DEVO kicking Ass on Letterman
That's Good DEVO posted by Electronictomato
has sent here great live performance
to watch !
and here some more Videos
To watch !
1 That's Good DEVO posted by grapearefuns9000
2 Peek a Boo DEVO posted by grapeasarefun9000 !
3 What We Do DEVO posted by Devoviision!
4 Fresh DEVO posted by Clay Konner
5 Beautiful World DEVO posted by Jteglund
6 Freedom of Choice DEVO posted by Devoviision!
7 Girl U Want DEVO posted by Devoviision!
8 ICant Get No Satisfaction DEVO posted by Devoviision !
9 Don't Shoot I'm AMan DEVO in HD posted Mylittledaughters!
Happy New year DEVO fans !
2020 !
@raggabass
How D-E-V-O is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is criminal! These guys were way ahead of their time musically and socially. Vote them in!!!
@jaquettajones
Dude it's 2020 and they are STILL not IN! They get nominated but never chosen #criminalisright #2020devolutionisreal
@sgtbilkothe3rd
ARRRRRRRRRGGGGG!!!!!! Injustice!
@jbibro
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a farce. Who are they to decide what artists are legendary? Devo is legendary.
@stevewilliams5130
Not being in the r and r h o f = HUGE CREDIBILITY! 😁
@smokeandmirrors6167
The R&RHOF is a joke anyway, so many great bands not included and even more undeserving bands included. 🤢 🤮
@paulroehl3341
DEVO ROCKS!
The "Spudboys" from Akron, OH.
Got caught skipping school for a DEVO concert in Cleveland...
@haggismcbaggis9485
I hate it when my french fry breaks in half when I'm sticking it into a donut.
@user-uo1qr6vn1q
36 years later and this song is still a good thing.
32 years later and watching Thrashin’ still brings back good memories.
Almost 4 decades later and Devo still rules.
And it’s true that’s good.
@theramplocal
Breaking is a memory