Oral History of Mark Mothersbaugh

[@illyph9963]

This man is the reason I am a musician, exactly what he’s describing about Beatles on Ed Sullivan, I had that moment because of Mark, when I was 5 years old, my dad took me to my first concert ever, which was devo at tower theater in Philly, I loved them as kid, my dad would let me listen to his records, and I would always watch “men who make music” movie my dad had vhs, that’s how I got into it, but until the concert, I was just kid enjoying the music, but at concert, my dad had got me the whip it flower pot helmet, it was my fav song at time, well we were sitting like in middle on ground level, and there’s balcony at back behind us, well when they played whip it, I went nuts and was standing on my seat, mind you I’m 5😂, we’ll during song, they went into like long bridge before last hook, while mark disappeared from stage, and re appeared behind us on balcony, holding a rope coming from ceiling, well he must have noticed my little 5 year old ass looking up at him going nuts, cause he literally swung down, landed on my dads shoulders, and held mic up to my face as they went into last hook, and let me sing the hook into mic as they performed it, it was the most glorious moment ever in my 5 year old brain, and 💯 was the moment I knew music was my path forward in life, and whole time my dad was dying from his weight on his shoulders😂😂😂

[@feellucky271]

Very cool man.

[@danielrobinson9679]

Awesome story! How incredible it would have been to be a kid experiencing that! Yeah, you were meant for music!

[@mikelisacarb]

What an amazing story! I'll bet that Mark has to remember that! It's one thing to see a cute 5 year old going apeshit at your concert, but then it must have been extra wonderful for you to actually come in on cue to sing that hook!

[@fishead1967]

Being creative with silence and darkness is what makes life worth living....

[@chrisdortch6472]

This just made me tear up a bit. So fucking wonderful.

[@markcrittenden3351]

Devo is one of greatest bands off all time. Big in Canada too.... Thanks Devo for all your years of great tunes.

[@AnalogKid82]

His musical influence is infinite. The impact on electronic, dance, and industrial music is immense.

[@kevinc.8869]

Good interview. I like the way the interviewer let him talk without interrupting. Absolutely love Devo. .and Mark is such a down to earth guy.

[@garyofferdahl6435]

He did let him talk. He a lot of wide open doors for follow up questions, though. He was more of the Jay Leno style of interviewer where he has set questions no matter what the answer is. Whereas David Letterman would listen to the answer and make it more of a conversation.

[@journeyplanet7947]

I had about ten questions to start and bounced from his answers. I tend to go for more open ended, since we were always looking fir multi-use material

[@christopherthomas7253]

I like a more conversational approach myself, but MM's interlocutor sounds to possibly be a bit wet behind the ears (not that there's anything wrong with that) and perhaps doesn't have the confidence to do more than recite the pre-scripted questions.@@garyofferdahl6435

[@DoctorBlankenstein]

Mark is a synth god and has done more for modern music than half of the groups of the 80s combined. It was awesome hanging with him at Moogfest.

[@angusorvid8840]

Absolutely. This was also a big reason why I was always into Devo and followed Mark's wonderful solo/composing career. The man is an absolute genius and visionary. Devo also shook me to my moral foundations and made me think about life. I was one of those nerdy kids who got picked on terribly and their music told me I wasn't so alone in recognizing what was wrong with the world and human nature. They were an incredibly powerful, positive force in my life.

[@bobparker8294]

"Pee Wee's Playhouse" was worth watching just for the music alone (although it was a good show on its own). There. was one episode where Pee Wee opens the freezer and the food is having a party and dancing. In the credits it said that the music for that scene was by The Residents. Mark Mothersbaugh and The Residents on Saturday morning kids' TV--the quintessence of artistic subversion!

[@snfu6574]

Hello Mark, Thank You guys for the two nights in Seattle, truly best live performance i have ever experienced, i was in a very dark place and a very good friend of mine pretty much dragged me out of a homeless shelter and bought me tickets for both nights. 1st time i was able to smile for a very long time

[@professorhamamoto]

Excellent. I had read the book on Devo. This interview deepens my appreciation for the contributions of Mark Mothersbaugh. His career speaks well for the vital importance of Arts Education. The subliminals on TV commercials; wow!

[@mikereseigh]

Nice post. Well said.

[@frenchoid6387]

What a wonderful raconteur. I could listen to him all day (and thankfully this remained unedited, so I more or less could :) )

[@MGTV1]

One day in 1982, a man and his girlfriend got In a fight. The girlfriend took his cassette collection and threw it off the balcony. Only one cassette survived the drop. It was an old maxell recordable cassette. I took it home and popped it into my little boombox. Song one was yyz from rush. Song two was we are devo. Thus began my journey into progressive music.

[@B14k3]

26:30 Mark: are you editing this? Yes *Doesn’t edit it *

[@thefunkyphantom1322]

are you referring to the same guy who asked about Gary Castle?

[@wiidlbeetle3857]

I like that his post is edited

[@jeffdawson2786]

This is my favorite interview of Mark. It is loaded with musical history for future generations.

[@kurtvonhahn5035]

What I really love about this film is Mark's kindness. The legendary saxophonist Sonny Stitt was once asked 'what have you learned during your career that could help other musicians'? Sonny warmly replied...'Be kind. Be kind. Be kind'. Mark shares a treasure trove of personal and musical stories and yet it's his kindness and patience that keeps winning me over. All truly successful people have the kindness gene.

[@apryason]

Before I ever saw them live, I saw the original Devo films (Jocko Homo and Satisfaction) on a 16mm projector before what seems like every show in the Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco. That film, that place, and the bands that played there completely altered my musical tastes forever. Completely blown away.

[@TheShamusOfSlots]

This is some rare You Tube I have time for. Didn't realize this was here! DEVO was my favorite group going up! I love anything ATARI so very appropriate he wore this! So nice to hear about the early days. I loved the information in the rock 'n roll hall of fame!

[@douro20]

He has one of the largest private vintage synthesizer collections in the world.

[@journeyplanet7947]

And it is a gorgeous collection! I could have stayed looking at it for days!

[@mgabrysSF]

He even curated the TONTO synth - the largest synth stack in the world measuring in at 6 feet tall by 20 feet in circumference which was featured in the Movie "Phantom of the Paradise".

[@TediI47]

Amazing story! I'm 25 and know very little about music, but those scenes always stuck with me.

[@Rob-dp3vr]

and he's also still a virgin. not many people know that.

[@ThomasDickens]

@@Rob-dp3vr he has a beautiful wife, and had many women in his youth in the band, DEVO, I'm sure. way more than every person on this list put together I bet.

[@gb5776]

I’m 51 years old, been a Devo fan since 1982. Brings back so many great memories of my teenage years. These guys made us laugh, act silly with songs like “Space Junk”, “Pink Pussy Cat”, “Mr B’s Ballroom”, “Jimmy’s in a wheelchair”, and so many others. We even send away for energy domes off the New Traditionalists album. Music still brings a smile to my face, still makes me laugh and enjoy them. They were ahead of their time. I’ll always be a spud boy at heart.

[@totalradnes5201]

This is amazing! So many great stories. Thank you for this.

[@roccotool]

It's fascinating hearing some of Mark's creative process and ideas.

[@regplasma7906]

Dear fellow spuds Mark is a true legend. It's official.I could listen to his stories all day.Reg Plasma .

[@VoyageOne1]

His music for "The Sims 2" still sounds fresh 16 years later!!!

[@dragonheadthing]

Thank you for the interview! Always loved Mark's stuff.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

I had no idea Mark was so cool. He has done, is doing, everything I love the most. I have an instant man crush on this guy. I'm very grateful for this interview, and that he survived his bout with Covid. Best wishes for your continued success and happiness, making music, Mark Mothersbaugh.

[@michaelharris4651]

Yeah , so do I and I know what you mean , he’s an awesome guy and it would be an honour to meet the man and as you said he is so cool 😎. Cheers X. 🇦🇺

[@kevinpogue7294]

I've been to see Mark at the Mutato Muzika offices over a dozen times, working on art projects with him.

[@journeyplanet7947]

It’s so cool!!! I loved getting to see the pieces he played for us. I have about another two hours from the afternoon he let us film him

[@maskedzebra22]

I was 15 and at my parents having a shower when BBC Radio1 play Jocko Homo. I can remember clearly being amazed at what i was hearing and listened hard to catch the name of the band. Bought that single and played it in the school common room, pushing past various Pink Floyd/Genesis/Grease soundtrack albums to do so. Nealry got lynched, but it got played more and more. Months later, bought my first synth. Formed a band, gigged and had the time of my life. I sit here now, able to see that synth and with a DAW fired up on my laptop. The first thing i think of even now is "How do i mess that sound up to make it interesting?" I believe that this impulse was subliminally hidden on Jocko Homo. Still making music and it's all Mr Mothersbaugh's fault. A huge thanks for allof it from me. Love that band so much.

[@CactusTeether]

I SO agree with Mark's comments on the 'Editions of You' track (from Roxy's 2nd album 'For Your Pleasure). Brian Eno's synth break still sounds like it's from the future... and it's 45 years old...

[@jamescorrigan1724]

Based on this post, I went and listened to the song. Awesome. The lead in sax to synth is great, plus the synth sound is so original. I can see why Eno liked Devo. Also, the way the synth leads into the guitar solo is also wonderful. Great song. Last, i love the rhythm keyboard. Reminds me of the Yardbjrd’s For Your Love. Great sounds. I amok. Thanks.

[@generalleigh7387]

“Are you editing this?” Conscientious mind of a producer.

[@eabetsn]

He DID NOT in fact, edit this.

[@forcemultiflier1746]

Excellent ,great interview, Mark! your the Man , from a DEVOted fan!

[@Turtle152]

Today is May 18, 2018, Mark's 68th birthday. In the paper this morning, the comic strip "Pearls Before Swine" paid tribute to him, with its creator Stephan Pastis dressing up like Mark, complete with whip and Energy Dome.

[@vap0rland]

damn, so he's *_71_* now

[@feellucky271]

​@@vap0rlandAnd 73 now. Go Mark...

[@vap0rland]

@@feellucky271he does so many soundtracks. i wonder who has done more: Mark Mothersbaugh or Danny Elfman?

[@mannyp467]

Mark1, Mark2, Bob1,Bob2 and Alan. Can’t be bettered, can’t be troubled. My life ( musically ) is because of this band. Songs to sing, songs to dance to..and ultimately pass on the brilliance. 2sets of brothers and a great drummer. Two have sadly left us ( RIP ). Are we not men ?

[@johnfeeney7464]

We are devo.

[@littleianthefirst]

Top of my list of artists in 1981, 2023 now and nothing has changed, Mark and Gerry n family, the band, so glad you stuck at it with keyboards brother, so glad :)

[@mikebozik]

Thanks for all the great music, Mark! 😊 I had your stuff on 8-track all through Jr. High. You are an American Icon.

[@jeffwelsh4154]

Saw Mark riding a vespa in LA back in the 80s, brilliant mind !!!

[@edwardallan197]

When I became a serious Devo fan? I began to realize he had to be a powerful thinker and artist. How interesting to hear him interviewed. Thank you.

[@leokimvideo]

Yet another man who had The Beatles as complete inspiration. You can see The Beatles inspiration in the DEVO live performances.

[@spiraldaddy]

You are the Beatles/Devo of kid's videos - I am a fan of you and Devo. I raised both my kids on your videos. Your video of building a jet engine with your friend was classic - one of the most incredible things I have ever seen on youtube. It wasn't the jet engine - it was the beauty of the friendship

[@colanderstudios9682]

Devo has there own genre of music science fiction In my opinion

[@bobsan2360]

Wow he mentioned the "Brown Note" what a legend!

[@angyshadow2024]

Brotha was with Devo, collabed with Weird Al, wrote *and* composed music for both the Rugrats soundtrack and multiple Wes Anderson movies. Is there a single thing this man can't do?

[@leeolahepher9245]

What a great interview.

[@foomarcel]

I just have to give this comment here. What an inspiring interview you have made, Mark goes through so many tech details that are so cool to know how have been made on the older days. He's a person who can describe so deep what he does that I feel like i was with him in the things he did.

[@mathumphreys]

This is such a great interview. Woah....I just saw Mark's composer credits on IMDB. This guy is AMAZING!!!! I'm sorry I didn't realise.

[@gorillaglue797]

It’s really neat how he burnt through so many ghostwriters.

[@nealmarshall2264]

Mark is cooler than all four Beatles put together. He's a creative genius!

[@vicesquadpunk]

Neal Marsahall I am a big DEVO fan and love Mothersbaugh but cooler than Beatles? I honestly wouldn't go that far 🤖😻🤖

[@mikejaz2]

Mark probably wouldn't agree, but hey, that's cool.

[@roxanneshuster8308]

Why is it so "hip" and popular to disparage or bash The Beatles these days?

[@mikejaz2]

@@roxanneshuster8308 Social media = anti-social behavior

[@sherrycambridge1531]

HUH

[@dcxxx6850]

Incredible… just an amazingly creative guy for 50+ years!!

[@VAFlash]

Mark is as brilliant as I have always thought him to be.

[@tglenn3121]

I love his definition of disco! That's hilarious.

[@HeathAllyn]

Dammit, Mark! I had never heard of Keyscape so I went to check it out and could not buy it fast enough.

[@user-md3is4dq2d]

Best interview

[@colbyshea5915]

They were such pioneers, Devo are still so unique and relevant to today. I was lucky enough to see them in the naughties and they didn’t disappoint. Plus Mark was (and remains) a massive music crush! ❤

[@RetroDawn]

Mark's first computer was an Amiga. And that was because of Henry Rollins! 1:07:02 With his Atari shirt and being a composer and musician, I would have guessed the Atari ST would have been his first computer. I gotta believe he used one. I haven't watched this whole video, yet. Hopefully he talks about his first general purpose computer he used for music (so, not counting the Fairlight).

[@sonijam]

Wonderful interview!

[@manjay49]

I saw them live 1978, 1979, 1981. At their peak, imo. Incredible band. The live power was way beyond their recorded work. Alan Meyers was relentless. His energy never let up. His ability to maintain tempos while executing uniquely creative parts was astonishing to witness. For me, DEVO started to dip when Alan left. DEVO was starting to "evolve" toward more and more electronics. Less guitars, more electronic drum kits, drum machines, programmed drum sounds and parts, synth bass, and unfortunately, The Fairlight. So yes, more machines, less human feel and sound. But the machines need human operators. The Human Heart at the center of DEVO was Alan. Look at those early shows. Watch Alan. He reinvented how to approach a modern drum kit. Genius.

[@colbyshea5915]

I am a hobby drummer. I learned his drums for Satisfaction but it’s such a quirky beat, perhaps my skill level isn’t up to scratch but I find it to hard to do the fills because it takes all of my concentration to do the main beat. Super unconventional brilliance ❤

[@Galaxyngc7331]

Me and a guy at work we’re talking about music and then he asked me if you could meet any musician in the world who would it be. And then I thought for about 1/10 of a second and said Mark Mothersbaugh. What a great guy and great musical thinker. Genius.

[@helenkatz9436]

God bless you Computer History Museum for this outstanding interview! Will it be going into the National Archives for posterity in perpetuity?🙏❤💋🧠✊✌😎

[@ryanjones4150]

This is great. He is a true artist. I wish the interviewer had asked him more questions about the music composition process, like where does he start, how much music theory knowledge does he have and how did he acquire it, etc ?

[@amon_asentir]

Mark Mothersbaugh is profoundly inspiring to me, such a cool artist. Thanks for this!

[@trs4437]

I would’ve paid money to see Mark and his friend play Hard Day’s Night on Hammond organ and accordion.

[@markmower6507]

I had a Mini-Moog for about two months, before it was stolen. it took a few minutes to Warm Up, But when It Was Warmed Up, WOW The Sound Was Amazing 😍!!!

[@tkeforever4809]

Keith Emerson...”Aggressive calliope music”???? Good one, Mark!

[@DarkMoonDroid]

I'm hearing it in my head now...

[@Work4Love3000]

What an honor to get to spend that much time with one of the most creative minds in the business. But Devo were always passionate about their art. And they didn't hate performing live like some bands do. It's natural that they've all gone on to do great work in studio and video art. AND they're still doing live shows as well!

[@fightington]

When he starts talking about the bellows fog horn instrument lol, so cool that a genius artist can get the dough to make his ideas into reality

[@christopherprice3226]

Amazing interview thank you.

[@paulharting4042]

I think it’s quite fascinating seeing Mark’s enthusiasm on what he’s doing now. During some of the interview he gets seemingly bored but perks up when asked about how he composes and his use of all the teck. It kinda makes you think what DEVO might have accomplished if some of this teck was available when they started off in the early 70’s, and where we and DEVO would be now. (But this idea WOULD BE musical EVOLUTION, NOT DE-EVOLUTION)

[@SeanGrantstormpinball]

It is an interesting question... "What if they had modern tech available when they first started". To be honest, I think that we were lucky that they came when they did. The technical constraints led to more creativity, as evidenced by the fact that the rawness of their early stuff is often more sonically interesting than their later work, although all of it is amazing! Having to learn how all of the earlier synths worked, led them to a level of knowledge and discipline which gave them the skills to be the pioneers that they are. Artists often need constraints (time, money, technology) to challenge them to be as ingenious as possible, I think that's what happened for them.

[@N0B0DY_SP3C14L]

What a rad human being. GREAT interview!!!

[@mikereseigh]

Wonderful interview. Thank God you didn't edit it.

[@johntobey1558]

Brilliant, profound, and almost bordering on prophetic. This music was like a College forum board. . .we heard you in Boston, Massachusetts. . .we got that you were critiquing commercialism amd conspicuous consumption.

[@inwex8350]

Can't believe I used to walk past that building everyday and had no idea it was his studio.

[@holdwholetruthholy1511]

If you're interested in digital media and art, you've gotta recognize the value in this interview.

[@customerservice9710]

Fascinating interview !

[@apryason]

Seeing Mark do the "Praying Hands" dance live on stage made me laugh. Oh, THAT's what that song is about! I went to two shows in San Francisco eons ago. One of them got broadcast, I still have the reel-to-tape, and now the same recording is on KZbin.

[@xtenthfloorx]

How do you dislike this, this is solid information

[@evetsnitram8866]

When he was talking about using MIDI to trigger actual acoustic sounds reminded me of when I was a kid in the 60s my Dad took me to Shakey's Pizza one Saturday night and there was this guy that played a piano that was connected mechanically to various drums and colored tuned bottles up along the ceiling and he could step on some pedals and trigger them to play in these lively old tunes from the 20s while people sang along smashed on beer.

[@dennisgarrett664]

this is the coolest interview I ever saw mark is the greatest guy I ever saw on a interview on youtube so far and not only does he know alot about music hes against weapons of mass destruction killing unarmed people!

[@nonsuch]

Mark is the man. Love that guy!

[@toshibautoob]

I am so glad you were born Mark.

[@tramlad2]

Devo and particularly Mark are the USA's best ever band i still have their debut album picture disc, will never part with it along with several singles etc, genius does not do Mark justice, great guy, intelligent and affable, so far ahead of his time.

[@nolanprindle8255]

Also shout out to General Midi, the Stop and Sim remix is one of my favorite songs.

[@CHUMP-CHANGE]

We are common stock, work around the clock. Mark and DEVO fought for us.

[@jaimedeleon1194]

MARK SCORED PEEWEE'S PLAYHOUSE?!?!?!?!?!?!! I'm blasted

[@SeanGrantstormpinball]

It is an interesting question... "What if they had modern tech available when they first started". To be honest, I think that we were lucky that they came when they did. The technical constraints led to more creativity, as evidenced by the fact that the rawness of their early stuff is often more sonically interesting than their later work, although all of it is amazing! Having to learn how all of the earlier synths worked, led them to a level of knowledge and discipline which gave them the skills to be the pioneers that they are. Artists often need constraints (time, money, technology) to challenge them to be as ingenious as possible, I think that's what happened for them. When you hear Mark talk about how thoughtful he is when composing for video games, taking the player's experience into account, it shows how the medium leads him to challenge himself to create music most suitable to the situation, its a perfect example of artists being pushed into using their creativity optimally.

[@audiodood]

Yeah, R. Stevie Moore created some pretty amazing stuff

[@stephenhensley5631]

Mark is the best and I hope he has recuperated from covid .I heard he had a bad case .DEVO please come back soon I've seen them twice and you will never see a better show !

[@offplanetfilms]

Fantastic body of work! Always sounds fresh no matter what decade you sample.

[@a_nick_t]

Mark is a creative genius. Nice interview! 😎👍🏼

[@chrismcdermott7766]

"plastic acoustic music". I love it

[@intvnut]

In high school (late 80s, early 90s) I played around with setting an AM radio next to or inside a computer to pick up the EMF from the motherboard, and then toyed around with different programs to see what sorts of interesting sounds I could get out of that. Some of the results were actually pretty interesting, IMHO. This was mostly with a 386, although I did also experiment with an 8088 and maybe some slower machines. I wonder if Mark has experimented with anything similar. They're definitely more hard-edged "jagged" sounds as opposed to smooth and swoopy sounding. Still, it seems like the sort of thing Mark might find a way to use. If nothing else, it's fascinating "listening" to a computer go through a series of computations. It's musical in its own strange way-although my family didn't see it that way at the time. (I didn't use headphones during my experiments. "Joe, knock it off!") Now part of me wants to set up an old system to experiment with. I don't exactly have the time to do it justice at the moment, though.

[@spacep0d]

Mark was a neighbor of my girlfriend early in DEVO's career-except she hated DEVO and I love DEVO. :) She told me a story of how she and her sister yelled 'DEVO SUCKS' one time as he drove by their house in L.A. Awww. I have that same Atari shirt! As an artist and musician myself I find this super interesting.

[@nolanprindle8255]

Oh yeah, I have an Android cricket wireless phone and I am trying to screen cast with my brand new TCL Roku.. Any help would be great Mark, I don't want to sound or seem needy although I'd like to really experience the greatness of this TV.

[@onkelmarvin8360]

Devo was a " One of a Kind " Band.........100% original......they created their " Own Sound ".........and not just.." Their Own Image "............but an image that changed constantly........very few other Bands in The Whole World has managed to do that....❤ They just played in my hometown Copenhagen.........and I missed it...............I can`t get over that..........I`ll have to catch them next time...........Damn.......❤

[@Xcorgi]

The MASTER of new wave himself!!!

[@granudisimo]

He and Casale are the fathers of punk. They invented post-post modern electronic punk, way before modern (not post) punk rock got to be a thing.

[@colinmunro7337]

Nah

[@5argetech56]

His music on the Nick series "Rocket Power" was awesome!

[@hiroshi138]

I only listened to about half. Did the interviewer happen to ask Mark why Devo disappeared for 20 years?

[@jcsolomon6470]

It's all An Outlook Influence!And There ya Go!

[@Instrumentals4Sale]

legend

[@Caniballe]

True genius.

[@granudisimo]

I think you misspelled subgenius.

[@jcsolomon6470]

Such a Beautifull,World We Live In!WoW!

[@edwardallan197]

This guy is cool. I love his story. And Devo has many songs I still love.

[@gmazz0913]

This should have millions of views. Such a genius and groundbreaker.

[@rpro.3309]

Him and Casale are pure genius. Period.

[@paperchasindude6578]

I have to say I love his music in Regular Show, no one talks about that

[@Jacksmusicshack]

Whaaa

[@DEVOn.A.Skertic]

I was racking my tiny spud brain, "who does the interviewers voice remind me of...??" Half way in to the interview, I was like , " that sounds like Gayle Beddiker from Breaking Bad.

[@MistyDusker]

Had the same realization. Most likely helped by rewatching Breaking Bad for the millionth time

[@hubbsllc]

I totally had to stop the video around 22:00 and recover from laughing at the idea of a concert where the audience does organized calisthenics and then the band makes them release their bowels and have orgasms from the sound. . . . . I'm still laughing. Good God.

[@michaelmurphy987]

Talk about making a crowd "lose their shit," right?