DEVO's Gerald Casale Interview: The Stories Behind The Songs "Whip It" & "Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA"

[@plev10]

Just watched a lengthy interview with Gerald from 1996 and was blown away by how smart and articulate he is. Thanks for the updated version 25 years hence that confirms he hasn't lost a step. 👏

[@fehryn7369]

There's an old interview, maybe from '78-81, where DEVO is laying prone, propped up on bean bags I believe. Probably from Europe. I saw it a year or so back but can't find it now. Gerald's a natural born spokesman, using intelligence and humor from the beginning. What's not to love?

[@jmorra]

How patient and open is Mr. Casale here. I have seen him, in the past, in some pretty nasty moods. My guess is, if he senses that the interviewer is sincere, he's fine with that person. Woe to all others!!

[@markhedquist9597]

Wow. I could watch Gerald interviews all day long. I was 15 when Freedom Of Choice came out and it completely changed me. Was the catalyst for me to open my eyes to a wide open way of thinking. Still, easily one of my favorite albums. So, hearing the stories behind it, I love.

[@phillipphinney206]

The place Gerald and the band saw Prince at in 1979, but can't remember the name, was "Flippers Roller Boogie Palace." Great place to see a band; the stage was in the middle of the floor while you skated. Fun place, went there a few times in 1980. Quite a few celebrities were regulars. Used to be a bowling alley, now a drug store. Back when Hollywood and West Hollywood were full of promise, affordable and fun places to go. No more.

[@fehryn7369]

That sounds amazing

[@carmensandiego7749]

I thought it might be the Palladium. That's where I saw Madonna and the Ramones. Madonna got booked by Ramones fans. I never got to see Devo sadly. I saw Oingo Boingo at Perkins Palace in Pasadena on New Year's Eve 1980, that was pretty good show and also a venue that hasn't been there for a long time.

[@mc5or6]

A few minutes in and this video is way better than I thought it would be.

[@Hambonillo]

Most of my favorite Devo tunes are when Gerald plays bass guitar. Really original style and well played.

[@hubbsllc]

He's a good bassist and singer. I had so wished that he and Keith Emerson could have gotten together.

[@no.7593]

Brilliant - what a guy!

[@indiesindie1984]

Revolutionary Devolutionary!

[@mrwhompass1986]

So good DEVO get the respect they deserve.

[@stephenreberger850]

Love the print behind Gerald. Would love to get one.

[@beachkidboy]

Alan is my fave DEVO-tee ever! When he left is about when their talent fell fully apart.

[@cnfuzz]

It was an odd step to replace him with a Linn drummachine since he gave the songs the energy , why did they put him on the backburner , was this reason ever mentioned in an interview

[@libre-tad6283]

First time I've heard any inkling of praise for Alan, considering what he brought.. Probably because they were drenched in talent Interesting this.. Girl u want was way better than whip it.. Gates of Steel, that's a song

[@longde]

my fave Devo member too

[@SirHatchporch]

This was a great interview. As a long time fan, I'm grateful any time I can glean a few new tidbits of info on the band. I also like that you let Jerry speak at length instead of cutting him off and interjecting, a bad habit of too many interviewers and podcast hosts these days. Jerry is one of my favorite people to listen to. I just wish he held "Duty Now for the Future" in higher esteem, as that's long been my favorite Devo album.

[@dannymiles6503]

Yes, he is a great interviewer with passion and he surprised me with that, considering im maybe a fair bit older than him. I share your love for the Duty album. It is staggering to learn that Gerry wrote Smart Patrol in 1975. Amazing. Bowie and Reed have been my fave solo artists since 72 and i rate the Duty album so high its up among their very best. There has never been anything to match it since 79 in its genre. Brilliance of synths, guitars, drums, bass, vocals and lyrics. My fave album of Devo. The mid to late 70s was a time for me of regular "experimentation" with friends over long weekends. Those far out times were often around that album. There isnt anything that can take you on a ride quite like that one. Futuristic, frantic, hypnotic, breathtaking, brilliant. Yes, Gerry should hold it up high. I understand his regrets around producer Ken Scott and the Smart/DNA song, yet he has produced many great albums before. Maybe Devo could of gone with much loved music master icon and producer of their first album, Brian Eno. Ive loved him since early Roxy right through. One can only dream about how great it would of been.Especially with Mark's love of Eno's synth mastery, the songs on there were perfect for them both to create great sound.

[@JohnLloydDavis]

Duty now for the future is actually Devo 'clearing out' the rest of their older tunes they were still playing live at this time. I'm not taking anything away from this album for us fans, I think Gerry probably doesn't hold it in such high esteem as it wasn't new material at the time. I think it's a great album :)

[@SirHatchporch]

@@JohnLloydDavis Sort of. It was *originally* supposed to be a clearing house kind of album, because they had completely mapped out the first two albums beforehand, but Mark brought in a number of new songs at the last minute, much to Jerry's chagrin. Plus Jerry thinks Ken Scott's production sterilized it, but I've always thought it perfectly suited the songs.

[@SirHatchporch]

@@dannymiles6503 Judging from all of the interviews with the band that I've read and heard through the years, it seems like they were never happy with the production on any of them, except possibly "Freedom of Choice."

[@dannymiles6503]

@@SirHatchporch I didnt know they were unhappy with production on most albums up to Freedom Of Choice. FOC does have a solid sound to it, yet i cant remember the producer. If they had stayed with Brian Eno on DNFTF with it being full of brilliant synth songs, Eno would of been the perfect producer. As Eno has collaborated with many cutting edge artists and produced many landmark superb albums, he may of been unavailable to do it as Devo were ready to release it and Eno was busy around 79-80 and had to find time to write and create his own fantastic albums around those years. Thanks for your thoughts on Devo, as ive been a lifelong fan also all the best mate.

[@kevinc.8869]

No reward without risk. Growing up in jacksonville in the 80s I remember when Whip It came out. We loved it! That was MY introduction to DEVO. I have been a Spud ever since.

[@toterola451]

He's absolutely right. About everything.

[@metall1983]

you guys gotta release that movie documentary wow this was great

[@SirHatchporch]

Mark has been holding up the release of that documentary for years, unfortunately. Both Jerry and the film's producer Jeff Winner have gone on record saying that.

[@thecoxlong4316]

Jerry also discussed the Devo musical/movie that "never happened," but (so far into my viewing) he doesn't mention the Full Motion Video point and click PC game from the 1990s called Adventures of the Smart Patrol, which sees a Smart Patrol paired with an elderly, out of commissioned DEVO in this dystopian Devo universe ran by Big Media/Rod Rooter.

[@wonderrob3225]

So a Gerald and marc Full musical? Please ? There is such a thing today as crowd funding,. Where do I sign up!?

[@thecoxlong4316]

I like Jerry's comments about "that part of the country--playing DEVO?" in regards to Whip It first being picked up by a DJ who broadcast in the southern states. First off, so true! And second off it's thanks to my dad (who takes Devo as silly) for turning me on to their style thanks to him showing me Devo on KZbin from an early age. We're from East Tennessee, and Devo would've never touched base with this part of the country on a cultural level without the circumstances Jerry described. I'm pretty sure my fandom for them is thanks to that initial exposure that occurred in the south. A lot of people in this region still don't "get it" either, which is the most ironic thing.

[@OldManDenton]

"Freedom of Choice" is a beautiful collection of tunes. GREAT mix! - Song writing at it's best! - Not a bad tune on the whole album! Best one since "Are We Not Men" (I had the picture disc) There again, not a bad tune on the album!!! This was the kind of music, to wheres you didn't need anything else, just play it over and over and observe and absorb 🙏😑🙏

[@beachkidboy]

Where he saw Prince was Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace. John Cougar played there too back in "the Zone' days.

[@superlove35]

Ah yes! The great songwriting duo of Lenin and McCarthy.

[@shorelined1]

Lol!!! He actually said mccarthy! Too funny. I think Gerry maybe chose to not embarrass him.

[@jmorra]

You know, opposite temperaments and worldviews can really engender great things.

[@Jim26D]

Look how much de volution has happened since this interview. We are controlled by an insane minority. My butts been wiped. Besides that Gerald is one of the one interesting musicians I've come across

[@timmarshall2062]

great video love DEVO

[@seansherrod8725]

FYI ..The the name of the skating rink was called "Flippers"!

[@QUIZFILTER]

Tears of a Clown... that would be a great DEVO song. You can even start to hear multiple versions ( ALL in a DEVO style) in your head.

[@iconicshrubbery]

25:50.. " the Lenin and McCarthy of new-wave.." For US fans; that t-shirt design was more or less the UK cover of Duty Now for the Future, but I'm sure you knew that. Only the WBros cover is now available.

[@sailorman8668]

It seems there are 2 clueless clowns that don't know the guy's name is McCartney.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

Devo acted out its own theory - starting out as avant-garde as possible and then becoming more and more conventional with each album.

[@cigarboxguitar9519]

Gerald, why didn't you run as a politician, at whatever level? You are way smarter and more concerned about the human condition than anyone I have ever come across.

[@occommunitycats7616]

Gerry for president!

[@jmorra]

Sub Genius party!!

[@carmensandiego7749]

Are you talking about the Palladium?

[@damiankirkwood7924]

that musical would be interesting id love to see something in the vein of Across the universe using the music to help move the plot and set the context in which it was written (historically speaking), i could see Devo working really well for that,

[@adamx6000]

When I hear Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA I get images of the bands faces on sperm with energy dome hats swimming towards an egg for conception as well as the Death Star battle finale in Star Wars.

[@smcic]

Suburban robots monitoring reality

[@iconicshrubbery]

Thanks for sharing your semen-ent

[@infernicide666]

Axl Rose covering Freedom of Choice is a funny thought lol.

[@jefjaeger]

A major misunderstanding of our representative republic. Each state having equal rights regardless of total population was and is on purpose. Majorities of individuals who populate the entire country deciding things is true democracy, but the founding fathers saw how easily this could lead to mob rule. And they were right. So they created a representative republic. Today in 2022, under a standard democracy, the liberals in the population centers mostly located on the coasts would decide everything all of the time. Everyone living in less populated areas would never have a say at all - they wouldn't need to even bother voting any longer as they would have no control over any decisions that are made resulting from a vote. The left loves that idea and wants desperately to do away with the electoral college and the representative republic. The founding fathers always meant for states to have the power, not the federal government, and not masses of individuals - the simple majority - ruling over a helpless minority. It is a brilliant system - very fair - and has worked up until uninformed people have been trying to dismantle it to achieve the absolute power that corrupts absolutely. The way the system was designed, is that individual states can have their own laws. You can move to a different state if you like their system better. Leave your current state if you disagree with how they do things. Each if the 50 states controls their own destiny! Each one is its own laboratory that can try different things that the other states can observe - and follow themselves - or not follow at all. Each of the 50 states - regardless of size - has the same amount of power in this union known as the United States. It never has to be 'one size fits all'. A brilliant system when allowed to work. It is those who want authoritarianism and control over individuals - obscene amounts of control - who want to dismantle this system and give the federal government - or a world government - control to micromanage each individual human being. It is baffling to me that so called intelligent people would want to give up their liberty. To want their way so badly that they would change the system permanently to get their way. Who says things couldn't tilt the other way? Then the left would scream to get the old system back. This is all so transparent. Immature children are the ones who seek to change the rules when they don't like how the game is going. All that being said, I have always been a Devo fan, which is why I am watching and enjoying the interview. I totally disagree with the politics however...

[@dbarker7794]

"I totally disagree with the politics" Then I'm glad i didn't read your monologue and just scrolled quickly to the end.

[@jefjaeger]

@@dbarker7794 Too bad, you would have learned some things. Your loss.

[@dansmith1518]

The roller rink was "flippers".

[@moonlacer386]

I may not agree with all of the political stuff, but his ideas in the last 15 minutes were golden

[@fangettes]

It always humors me when conservative people complain that their favorite artists are not conservative

[@LuckyFlesh]

'Cause liberal people never do that... right? Hahaaaa. Your lack of self-awareness is astounding. I have some bad news for you sunshine. The intolerant, hateful monster you proclaim to despise is in the mirror.

[@kurtch794]

@@LuckyFlesh keep seething

[@LuckyFlesh]

@@kurtch794 Seething? Pro tip: You should look up the definition of a word BEFORE you use it.

[@kurtch794]

@@LuckyFlesh ooh yes, the seething is palpable in this one

[@LuckyFlesh]

@@kurtch794 Stop embarrassing yourself.

[@wonderrob3225]

Gerald it only takes a little bit of concentrated goodness to defeat Massive Evil, And do I also quote you when I say< in ancient Rome there was a poem about 2 dogs who found a bone? and is that not also a description of Romulus and Remus the wolfen founders western civilization?

[@gnchilds]

You are misquoting the lyrics. It's "In ancient Rome there was a poem about a dog who found two bones".

[@joycefreeman5628]

@@gnchilds yes, and his Freedom of Choice made him drop dead.

[@dannynysus]

@@joycefreeman5628 Nay, 'twas indecision that did him in

[@lamper2]

WHIP IT guitar figure was inspired by the Roy Orbison Oh Pretty Woman opening riff because they liked the way it started then stopped.. of course Roy's song added three more notes

[@clayfouts135]

OMG, ultra based Gerry Casale talking voting reform 😍

[@carldavis1407]

Ironically enough, I'm a fellow Ohioan (Athens, baby!). I can't remember exactly where it's located, but we have an intersection in town, that is Roy Blvd, Lane, Street, or something, and Harper Blvd, Lane, Street, or something . Just thought all that was somewhat ironic 😎

[@drummer4hire12]

Just to note; We need to be VERY careful when we say democracy. Most people get it wrong. You do not want a democracy, you want a Republic.......As in 'And to the Republic, for which it stands' democracy is for fascists. The USA was founded as a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy.

[@dbarker7794]

Ok whatever Mr Federalist Society.

[@widescreennavel]

The guitar on songs like Gates of Steel are as heavy as anything ever recorded. Mean guitars on Devo albums, they started under Brian Eno's blessing and never looked back.

[@mikereseigh]

Girl u want is a Great song

[@damiankirkwood7924]

OMG Platos cave allegory? like Peek-a-boo vid?

[@emillion4470]

Damn right! Devo is going to save Democracy for the People!

[@paulcrosslin]

Devo was and is an amazing band. My only caveat is the Drummer, Alan Myers. From the original pressing to today. Long live Alan.

[@beatup3539]

@23 minutes... when a lyric comes along YOU MUST WHIP IT

[@jmorra]

How did "altruistic genome" become "altruistic butthole" or "asshole" on certain recordings/ live performances?

[@ikonoklast7]

lol at all the butthurt conservatives in the comments who somehow missed that Devo's entire project was social/political commentary

[@CyberChud2077]

Yeah but that commentary used to be very smart and challenging. They used to piss off punk bands who were, in comparison, far more conformative to a dress style, the “right” way to rebel, etc. Now the “politics” he’s spouting are spoon-fed mass media pap from CNN and MSNBC. You don’t have to think to know about this stuff, you just have to have been in an airport. He has the same opinion as every goofball celebrity basketball player, every late night comedian with their advertiser-approved material.

[@franceshaha]

its like when people say shit like "when did rage against the machine become woke??" lmao

[@brb8829]

@@franceshaha rage in support of the machine

[@beachkidboy]

First album never saw them. Duty Now: Long Beach Arena, New Year's Eve, with X opening. Freedom: Santa Monica Civic Duty Now: Santa Monica Civic Oh No: Universal Amphitheatre no other album tours after that, just a few one-off shows.

[@jbw3118]

In a good way I mean.

[@resonarsmith6369]

You were right, it is rigged!!!

[@thomasraven]

I loved the first five Devo albums. Then they became sequenced and pro-tooled to death and they lost something. They really needed to be a band, not a desktop MIDI project. They still had some good individual songs, but the productions lost a lot of the fire that drove those first five albums. A big part of that was the minimization of acoustic instruments in favor of samples. But those first five albums were brilliant.

[@youtube-ventura]

I really wish that artists wouldn't devolve into opinions about politics - the fact is, as consumers, we don't care! That's not why we're here! Keep on rockin' Gerald!

[@justingrignon8749]

Being a consumer is a political stance.

[@dvdfrnzwbr]

I'm really glad he isn't a Trumpolini, that would be terrible

[@jonmeans2637]

@@dvdfrnzwbr I couldnt care less, I listen to the artist music, not their political opinions.

[@tommythevenot7617]

@@dvdfrnzwbr I’m the opposite. I’m disappointed that he is not pro-Trump.

[@LuckyFlesh]

@@tommythevenot7617 In Jerry's defense, they did do A LOT of drugs.

[@platformstrange1794]

The word Gerald wanted was probably 'maligned '

[@regplasma7906]

Why is Gerald wearing a syrup ?

[@gnchilds]

He's not wearing syrup. He's not a pancake or waffle.

[@jamesm.4683]

Pancake Gerald

[@stephenhensley5631]

Whats a syrup ?

[@TheChristafershawn]

I think he may have spent some good money on a restoration but I was wondering myself.

[@SignificanceOfThePassageOfTime]

Potato Pancake Gerry

[@ralphtom3431]

jerry may not be aware of how many powerful people in our government having to citizenship with Israel you cannot have to loyalty

[@letseat3050]

The story behind WHIP IT...but first...your political views. "Whip It is a great song"...end of story.

[@resonarsmith6369]

It took you 40 years to figure out that we are a representative republic?

[@scootosan]

Csathy Lennon and "McCarthy" really?.... College Radio brought Devo to the surface. Why not ask about the "Flower Pot" hats..... those were in a Hitchcock flick Lamp Shades.... but then stick to politics and coloring in the lines finger painting.

[@N0die]

the are conservatives who still love devo, try not to be partisan

[@justingrignon8749]

Freedom of speech.

[@jabbabbabba]

@@justingrignon8749 who tried to take away his speech?

[@justingrignon8749]

@@jabbabbabba That's a very reasonable question and...

[@dbarker7794]

Eff conservatives.

[@anachronistofer]

"Lennon and McCarthy"... Lol.

[@robertlowrie8446]

8:30 to skip his idiotic political takes.

[@mariskaajoy3899]

Now discuss the idea behind your 9/11 themed wedding Gerald! That sad excuse and pathetic story to tmz doesn't really cut it, wtf were you thinking?

[@ThomKF3V]

Devo for trump 2024

[@carrite]

You took a wrong turn at 1974. You're lost.

[@alanfunt4013]

How's that Biden guy workin' out for ya?? The new Devo album should be called "Egg on Face".

[@guymontag9577]

DEVO is sinking too far into Leftism. As much as I love DEVO music, Gary couldn't be liberal enough to pay for his brother's funeral. He won't loosen his purse strings.

[@zhiracs]

Devo has roots in leftwing anarchist movements. They've been in the Chomsky-Bookchin field since the beginning. Stuff it.

[@Sal.Manila]

Ouch!

[@guymontag9577]

@@zhiracs you mean, "Maserati Marxists "?

[@kylesuperbaby9616]

Stupid Pink

[@rickmcinnis3820]

Politically this fellow is out of his element. May he get the democracy of his dreams. I bet he would change his mind quickly if subjected to that. You cannot say musicians are dumbasses since he is barely a musician. Which was part of the charm of DEVO. A band of non-musicians with interesting ideas. If only he could hear the infantile contradictions of what he says here but that is not going to happen.

[@dbarker7794]

Set us ignorant ones straight, professor, with your esteemed wisdom.😂

[@kevmac1230]

How disappointing, I love Devo but to see Mr.Cassale spouting the trite Woke anti Trump rhetoric is so Hollywood.I thought he was too smart to be stuck in the 60s.Yes Gerald,you are an old fart.

[@historynownvtv4519]

They've been tackling political themes from the beginning. Nearly five decades. Political corruption has been one of the major themes. How can people be surprised that he calls out corrupt politics in 2020?

[@kevmac1230]

@@historynownvtv4519 because almost every theme the media has trumpeted against Trump has been debunked.The Orange Man Bad crap has lost its power just like the word racist as the left uses it with abandon.

[@historynownvtv4519]

@@kevmac1230 what has been debunked and by whom?

[@historynownvtv4519]

@@kevmac1230 I also think you're missing his larger point about corrupt political systems regardless of who is in charge. That is a strong theme in a lot of Devo material.

[@kevmac1230]

@@historynownvtv4519 I agree with the point you're making but he specifically mentioned Trump.I was liberal and followed my family in automatically voting Dem.I changed my thinking when I had to work for a living and had a family of my own.I consider myself MOR.I just don't get the Trump Dysphoria and what's happened to the media.

[@johngavin5514]

Political he is totally ignorant!!

[@jabbabbabba]

He is talking about MAJORITY RULE. That's not the US. Stick to music.

[@dvdfrnzwbr]

White artist terrible - Black artist genius

[@steverosten7101]

i sure hope your a conservative??

[@zhiracs]

Gerald has been a leftwing anarchist since 1970. The National guard shooting at you and killing your friends kinda fucks you up just a little bit.

[@SD-oc9dw]

@@zhiracs amazed me that he was there

[@kylesuperbaby9616]

Pink DEVO fans 😂