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.
Too Much Paranoias
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think I got billy baxter's bone
Think I got a bubble-sac
Think I got a big mac attack
Hold the pickles hold the lettuce
Special orders don't upset us
All we ask is that you let us
Serve it your way
My momma's afraid to tell me
The things she's afraid of
I been dipped in double meaning
I been stuck with static cling
Think I got a rupto-pac
Think I got a big mac attack
Devo's song Too Much Paranoias is a commentary on the theme of paranoia and anxiety that is ever-present in society. The lyrics of the song reflect this, with lines such as "Too much paranoia's" and "My momma's afraid to tell me the things she's afraid of". The first verse of the song references various things the singer thinks they have, such as a dial tone, Billy Baxter's bone, a bubble-sac, and a big mac attack. These items are presented as evidence of the singer's paranoia, implying that they are fixating on insignificant things.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Too much paranoia's", making it clear that this is the central message of the song. The second verse continues the theme of anxiety, with the singer saying they have been "dipped in double meaning" and "stuck with static cling". These lines suggest that the singer is finding ambiguity and uncertainty in everything around them, leaving them feeling confused and paranoid.
Line by Line Meaning
Think I got your dial tone
I am worried that I have accidentally captured someone's phone line and can hear their private conversations.
Think I got billy baxter's bone
I am suspicious that I have somehow obtained someone else's property, such as a valuable piece of bone.
Think I got a bubble-sac
I am concerned that I may have a medical condition, possibly a cyst or tumor.
Think I got a big mac attack
I fear that I am about to experience a heart attack or other health issue caused by consuming unhealthy fast food.
Hold the pickles hold the lettuce
I am nervous about making demands or asking for what I want, but I try to be polite and avoid causing trouble.
Special orders don't upset us
Despite my anxiety, I am willing to make special requests and accommodations if needed, and I hope that others will be accommodating to me as well.
All we ask is that you let us
I simply want to be left alone and allowed to live my life without unnecessary interference or complications.
My momma's afraid to tell me
Even my own mother is afraid to be honest with me, likely because of my tendency to overreact and become paranoid.
The things she's afraid of
There are likely many things that my mother is worried about, surrounding my mental health and well-being.
I been dipped in double meaning
I often find hidden or alternative meanings in words and actions, leading me to become even more paranoid about the world around me.
I been stuck with static cling
I feel like I am constantly attracting and holding onto negative energy and worry, making it difficult for me to relax and let go of my fears.
Think I got a rupto-pac
I am worried that my body may be experiencing some kind of internal damage or rupture, possibly related to my extreme levels of stress and anxiety.
Too much paranoia's
My constant paranoia is becoming overwhelming and affecting every aspect of my life, leaving me exhausted and frightened.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARK ALLEN MOTHERSBAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crocutacrocuta2193
Think I got your dial tone
Think I got Billy Baxter's bone
Think I got a bubble-sac
I think I got a big mac attack
Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce
Special orders, don't upset us
All we ask is that you let us
Serve it your way
There's too much paranoias
There's too much paranoias
My momma's afraid to tell me
The things she's afraid of
I been dipped in double meaning
I been stuck with static cling
Think I got a rupto-pac
I think I got a big mac attack
Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce
Special orders, don't upset us
All we ask is that you let us
Serve it your way
There's too much paranoias
There's too much paranoias
My momma's afraid to tell me
The things she's afraid of
@U2SaxFan
Brilliant and great song. One of the finest examples of how amazing Devo are.
@jaromirbergmann9995
Nirvana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZuc0Tqnqi4&ab_channel=Incesticide23
@Kirke182
I saw them do this at their first show in Detroit. Mark Mothersbaugh does the solo which is played through what I believe was an Electro-Harmonix Frequency Analyzer which wasn't a true frequency analyzer but it made the coolest fx. Electro-Harmonix always came out with great shit to make guitars and voices go ape-shit crazy.
@stkaris
Greatest guitar solo of all time!ย OF ALL TIME!
@johndoe3964
+stkaris Come Back Johnee....
@isqqc88
+John Doe that ones just like chuck berry
@JSAbeyta
Yes
@moka8267
Sounds like he's playing with a screwdriver
@mayorb3366
Since day one, this always sound to me like the soundtrack of significant gastronomical difficulties. Love it.
@Vox_Rhododendron
When I say Devo is โanxiety attack musicโ THIS is what I mean.