Why DEVO is the Greatest Punk Band Of All Time! Pop Culture Graveyard, Ep 21, Best Punk Band Ever!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Click SHOW MORE in the description above for more Devo content! 00:00 Intro 02:55 Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo 07:32 Duty Now For The Future 10:24 Freedom Of Choice 13:30 New Traditionalists 16:08 Oh, No! It's Devo 18:19 Word Of Mouth by Toni Basil 19:01 Shout (R U Experienced) 20:20 Total Devo 22:04 Now It Can Be Told: DEVO At The Palace (12/9/88) 23:04 Live: The Mongoloid Years 23:44 The Men Who Make The Music 23:57 Live 1980 24:10 Hardcore Live 24:36 Sign Off

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

@Guy Boost That's a classic Technics M235X cassette deck. But thanks for playing.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

@Guy Boost I'll go along with that! After all, Eddie knows punk: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIOzdoSBg6arps0

[@Riprattle]

@@PopCultureGraveyard you are highly highly underapprecciated

[@georgehays4908]

..... Thanks for doing this . We were all listening to Black Sabbath , Alice Cooper , Motley Crue .......then we dropped some cid , and someone turned up the album !

[@georgehays4908]

..... sorry for typo and other mistakes.....this album , tripping with my sister and an older hippie guy . I was 14 back I 78 !

[@douglasdillon4342]

You nailed it! After over 40 years listening to them I always consider them top 3 of all time favorites. Waaaaaaay ahead of their time and think that is why the mainstream never got it.

[@wavester46]

I'm 60 years old and an Australian. I was there with DEVO from the beginning as their music was very much part of the skateboarding scene in the late 70's.

[@plokijij7856]

I was introduced to Devo in 1979 by the hottest girl in economics class, she had a tape deck she bought into class and played Are we not men it was mesmerising as much as she was! She asked me to come home with her to listen to the other album Duty now for the future. It’s 2023 and I still listen to Devo! Thank you Amanda Robinson for awesome 80’s memories!!!

[@sandraweilbrenner67]

I was at Disneyland with my cousins and they walked by , I said there is Devo . They stopped and mark said how do you know , they were walking in a straight line robotically , Alan laughed and said we really are Devo forever.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Oh wow, now THAT's my kind of Disneyland story! What a great memory to have.

[@davidvasquez8658]

The first time I saw Devo on TV I seriously thought Wow how did they get robots to play Satisfaction?! Immediately bought AWNM.

[@justaguyontheinternet1556]

Quotation marks would've been nice

[@craigcarnachan7153]

Priceless Wish it was Me and I'ld show Em some New tunes to Paly ..

[@Jonesmalone562]

Dude I still find Devo songs I never knew existed and have never been disappointed!

[@bjornh4664]

"Duty Now" is my favourite album, and a few years ago I got myself a Science Boy tattoo. Devo for life!

[@degenerati]

I think there’s a legit argument that DEVO are the greatest band the US ever produced. They have it all, and in spades. Their concept could’ve continued on eternally devolving alongside the rest of the human race. They were all amazing players that put so much into a performance that they put all other live bands to shame. And, the songs were simply perfect, so minimal, leaving no room for noodling of any kind. Best band ever.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

You make a great case! On concept alone, no other band can touch them. It's so rare that anyone in music is against anything these days. Devo's got fire inside of them, as critical thinkers mocking mankind's regression. And being that mankind is currently regressing faster than ever, they are more relevant than ever. And you're right regarding the band not given to noodling: Gerry said that when the band played Hey Hey My My with Neil Young, it was the first and last time they'd ever "jammed." They're big fans of repetition, but never noodling. Thanks for the comment!

[@degenerati]

@@PopCultureGraveyard my Husband & I have got into this DEVO as best US band ever discussion many , many, times. Believe me, I kept it short, but could’ve filled the comment section with reasons why no other band can touch them. And, Don’t even get me started on how awesome Alan Myers was !

[@jimcrichton7918]

Husker du

[@degenerati]

@@PopCultureGraveyard I could watch that Devo jam w/ Neil Young a billion times, and still get a kick out of it !

[@degenerati]

@divinelightshine not even in the same realm. Jame’s made 1 good LP. And, it’s a good one. Still, doesn’t hold a candle to the amazing , rock solid output that is the first 4 Devo LP’s.

[@superlove35]

Many DEVO fans agree woth me that Duty Now is the best Devo album. Dark, claustrophobic, psychedellic and eclectic and very very DEV-O. Your comments about Alan Myers are spot on! Criminally underrated. I put him right up there with Stewart Copeland in terms of phenomenally good drummers with a very distinct sound and approach. Devo losing Alan would have been like the Police losing Copeland: A death blow, really.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

You just named another of my all-time favorite drummers! Yes, love Stewart and that analogy about the Police losing him totally fits. Both he and Alan added technical elements and creative flourishes to songs that other drummers wouldn't/couldn't. And yes, Duty Now definitely separates the true Devo fans from the rest of the pack. It's got a special place in my heart. Thanks so much for stopping by. Always nice to meet a fellow Devo-tee!

[@carlodave9]

You are right on about Alan. DNftF showcases everything that is unique and uniquely punk rock about his approach to drumming. Typical punk drummers (god bless 'em) are incredibly conformist and limited. Alan knew those rules well enough to deconstruct and subvert them.

[@NobodyCaresALot]

Duty Now is the best, but toil is stupid.

[@mikewright8986]

Duty Now is my favorite Devo album. U should give Shout another spin though. Although it didn’t sell well it is quite good.

[@alanstrom2221]

@@PopCultureGraveyard A good Drummer is an individual with their own unique style. You don't have to play Drums in a well known or world famous Band to have a unique sound or style. I've had Drummers come up to me after a gig I've played and asked me where I learnt how to play like that. They also say " Geez, you hit them very hard" A lot of Drummers are self-taught and discover how to play in ways that other Drummers can't. I've always found it impossible to replicate some of the Drumming of The Police and DEVO. When the Drumming switches from the ON beat to the OFF beat halfway thru a Bar of music it can be very difficult, especially if it's out of your natural style or 'comfort zone'. Other Drummers are easy to 'read' as in "Gimme Shelter" Rolling Stones RIP - Charlie Watts

[@CKT1138]

DEVO is truly the greatest punk group! They were so punk that they weren't punk because punk wasn't subversive enough for them

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Haha! Spot on, and brilliantly said!

[@SirManfly]

@@PopCultureGraveyard Gut Feeling has one of the best intro's to a song I have ever heard !!

[@CKT1138]

@@darth-g0ldaR there's overlap with both

[@CKT1138]

@@darth-g0ldaR there's nothing more tryhard than gatekeeping "punk". If you actually read my comment, you'd see I said DEVO wasn't really punk in sound, mostly in attitude. Also, there's some actually punk songs from them, and they played very fast and hard in 1977-1979, and were at the time considered part of the underground post punk scene.

[@miameramusic]

I see absolutely no reason why Devo isn't the greatest. They both perfect and the weirdest thing ever at the same time. What is more punk than that?

[@NatoDog64]

What about the 2010 Album "Something For Everybody" ? I'ts kinda like 80's Devo meets 2000's tech and production.A return to the happy balance of guitar and synth with the raw edge of Josh Freeze on Drums.The last Album with both brothers Mothersbaugh and Casale before Bob 2's passing.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

You're very right, it is an underrated album and you've described it perfectly. I remember making a short, positive mention of it towards the end of the video, but I must have cut it out due to time constraints. Thanks for the comment!

[@joeyday576]

As far as stop to finish greatness goes, I consider Something for Everybody every bit as fantastic as their debut album.

[@bosybert2999]

That album got me back into DEVO.

[@WindyTrousers]

I absolutely love that album. Brought me back to Devo after so long. Modern synthy freaky stuff. Don't taze me bro!

[@rabmorrison3484]

Absolutely, absolutely , absolutely....the energy and drive in this album gave me the power to forgive them the horror of the shout days. RIP Bob 2. I live in UK so only ever saw then 4 times since the Freedom of Choice tour but we have an incredible tribute band here called "we are not DEVO". Have a look on youtube. they are credible and fill venues UK wide so it's indicative of just how much DEVO are loved i and respected in the UK.

[@actually_ashley.]

I’ve always had a big soft spot for Oh No, It’s DEVO. “Big Mess” being an awesome tune, with a crazy story behind it. And I’m glad you brought up “Patterns”, it’s definitely one of DEVO’s most underrated songs. Also, let’s not forget the 3-DEVO Tour, which went almost completely wrong, but it’s an interesting piece of DEVO history.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Haha, I love that you brought up the 3-DEVO tour! I believe every great band should have one "Spinal Tap Stone Henge moment," and that was Devo's. The funny part is, when you view that tour film at home, it seems fine. It was only the people who watched it live that were subjected to any of the video/audio glitches. And there were only two songs (Speed Racer and Big Mess) where the mistakes were obvious. And the two set lists are killer! They not only played Patterns, but it was the only time they played Explosions live. Interesting history is right! Thanks for the comment!

[@yellowbench1158]

I thought I was the only only who thought the exact same way about this album

[@sub-jec-tiv]

One of my favorite albums of all time

[@brianspenst1374]

Nothing is more punk than Devo playing at the Lolapalooza festivals. Find those videos. Seeing a bunch of frat boys trying to make sense of a bunch of guys in hazmat suits rocking hard is priceless. Especially when they do Jockohomo.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Haha! Agreed! Devo are totally in their element confusing and confounding the "normals." And you're right about Jockohomo--it really takes things up a notch when experienced live.

[@phalnix1]

Wow! What a fantastic, passionate analysis of Devo! You are a true Spud Boy! As far as my own feelings on Devo, I have to say that in the beginning, I wasn't a fan. I heard Jock Homo and a couple of other songs at the time and just kind of dismissed them as weird. But then I saw the video of "Can't Get No Satisfaction" and was enamored with both the music and the visuals! It was GAME ON for me at that point! I started buying everything and anything that had to do with DEVO! I also started turning people on to their music. My mother even liked them! I got the message they were trying to convey and I gained a new respect for their virtuosity, their synchronization and their humor! One of my Generals on my computer game of Risk, is General Boy, and he wins a lot! Now I'm 68 and STILL a Spudboy, lookin' for that real tomato! Thanks for putting up the video; Great job!

[@alexjohnson9798]

DEVO is my favorite band. Thanks for the video

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Yes, they’re the best! Thanks for stopping by!

[@rudymaldonado5240]

So glad that there are so many DEVO fans out there! My kids are fans and took me to my first ever DEVO concert a month ago. They are musical geniuses !!

[@RichardHerrero]

Definitely a legit favourite punk band by any standards. My teenage days punk compilation cassettes were full of DEVO alongside The Dickies, Ramones, Dead Kennedys, and from over here The Stranglers, The Damned, The Buzzocks, The Clash. They were a natural part of my punk youth. I'm an old man with an old van now anfd my vinyls are allblong gone but the Micro SD card currently in the cab happens to have a bunch of DEVO mp3s on it...

[@peacecitizen1]

Thanks for saying it. Devotee here.

[@OhBudel1965]

Beautiful World is my anthem! Like the B-52s, DEVO's performance on S.N.L. knocked me off my feet and opened the door into a world of music I didn't know I was waiting, no needing, to hear at 14. Seeing Blondie on the Midnight Special was also life changing. Seeing Julie London on your wall..... it is a beautiful world.

[@HWY66]

Ahh.... another Devotee! I remember the thrill of my boyfriend playing the first Devo tune I heard, "Satisfaction". Great band.

[@chickmcgee1000]

I’ve dove into Devo a few years and have been amazed at what I keep finding. I look for interviews which are very inline with my view of planet earth. Great video!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks, Larry! Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, they'll keep you amazed for sure. For all Devo fans, it's a beautiful world we live in.

[@Kurdinov83]

If you dove into devo, try diving into dove

[@ronchambers3713]

I saw them in 1981 in Toronto at Massey Hall, it opened not with a second act but with a compilation of elevator music versions of their songs. It made me appreciate just how strong a live band they were, they had the dynamic live show and art attitude that suited the era perfectly

[@markharrod784]

i sang along to the whole duty now album at a party(mostly punks in early82)and i noticed i had a captivated audience staring at me,i knew the album inside out as i was and still am naturally drawn to devo for whatever reason,anyway it was a great feeling singing along,not missing a word and i remember feeling like i was promoting devo to people who had heard of them but were not really into them,it has been a privilege to be into devo from 78 till now and onwards...............................................................................................................................................

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Ha! Great story! Thanks for sharing it. So nice to hear from an OG Devo fan!

[@rudy6884]

The intro to gut feeling is amazing.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Absolutely!

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

I've never really thought of Devo as a punk. I appreciate your reasoning on the issue and yet do you know it's far more thought-out and carefully planned than punk. Devo fits into so many categories that I don't think they can be categorized. Not a criticism of the video or your opinion, it's nice to see someone so passionate about such an interesting band

[@yellowbench1158]

Preach it! I had a hard time telling friends this was a punk band at all. My fav as well

[@amylyno]

This was a great analogy of the band and their music - thank you!

[@bigskygeneration4474]

1979 saw them live. Pink Pussycat live with everyone on guitars was phenomenal. 40+ years later still remember it.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

WOW! That's amazing. You definitely saw them at a magical time. I envy you that; and I'm not surprised you still remember it. So cool!

[@cutletofcthulhu8079]

Dude, This is BRILLIANT analysis. Keep going with this work. You're good at it.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words. I put out new episodes every Wednesday. Welcome to the channel!

[@skidart9063]

Devo were true artists. They had something to say and they said it. I loved their lyrics and honesty. They are punk as fuck. Every punk rocker i knew had alot of respect for devo. I was born in 79, so i got into them in the early 90s. They are so much more than whip it. They are hilarious too in interviews. You can tell they just say stuff from the top of their head and it works.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Absolutely right! They might be the most underrated band ever, because once you get into them you realize they're doing so much more than making music. They've got a larger agenda that's working around and through their music. Thanks for the comment!

[@carlodave9]

Time has told us, Devo was right about EVERYTHING.

[@rabmorrison3484]

You are a scholar and a gentleman with a credible understanding of music culture and i agree 100%. be different be unique and appreciate, i'm typing this at stupid o'clock in the morning drunk with a power dome hat on my head (no shit) but i totally get it and everyone who also commented on your post are equally on the ball. so raise a glass to us because we have something that many don't. be lucky stay safe.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

*a lot *They are hilarious in interviews too

[@chrisccc22]

DEVE was absolutely disgusted they were labeled as PUNK. I'm surprised they did not take this into consideration when making this video. Watch the interview with Bob himself. Absolutely amazing interview.

[@toddhicks7377]

Thanks so much for this. I'm with you all the way on this

[@timdodge2234]

Brilliant review of the Mighty Devo!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks, Tim! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidgori4500]

This presentation is absolutely top-shelf. The information and the delivery are flawless. Devo is explained for the newbies and praised for the true spuds.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks, David! So glad you enjoyed it! I tried to walk that line catering to both groups, so I appreciate the kind words. Duty now!

[@jaytalley3715]

But they are not a punk band. They never have been.

[@philtonge7522]

Wonderful video Sir! And you're correct! Devo were one of the best Punk bands of all time. Punk is an attitude and the spudboys are attitude to the maximum. And yes, being in the UK we adored them!Also a big influence of The Cravats...

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks a lot, Phil! I really appreciate you getting my back on Devo's punk spirit. And I LOVE the Cravats--especially their Peel Sessions. Cheers!

[@philtonge7522]

@@PopCultureGraveyard Thank you too Sir! I got into DEVO quite late in 1983 when visiting my best mate in Exeter, UK he played me the entire first album. I ADORED it at first hearing (I was a very snotty anarcho-punk but had been raised by my Dad-who was a rocker-and my Mum-who was a 'Pop Girl'/Mod- to keep an open ear to music. In fact growing up we had the radio on more than the telly) and had to get my hands on all their albums. He's still my best mate and I still adore DEVO (in fact I just bought a new t-shirt from them). Yep, if you want to just listen to e.g. The Exploited and NOTHING else then say, "This is REAL punk"...you're a) wrong, b) missing the point and c) cutting your nose off to spite your face. Plus, glad to hear you have the correct opinion of The Cravats!

[@christianhankel6022]

How does this video have so few likes?! Fun fact, for my 8th grade graduation from St. John LaLande Catholic school (1982), I suggested that our theme be "Duty Now For the Future." All eight guys in the class voted yes but we were foiled by the 12 girls.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Ha! What a great story! Guess those girls didn't want to hide their nice outfits under Tyvek suits and power domes. Thanks for the great comment!

[@herbcraven7146]

"Duty Now for the Future" is my personal motto. It's obvious at this point that I'll never live in that Devo world that we spuds all want, but I remain a suburban robot, working round the clock as a member of the Smart Patrol, prepared to sacrifice myself that many others may live. I've got a lot to give.

[@sci-figuy6668]

@@herbcraven7146 -Well said, Spud! 🥔

[@thomasnagy3506]

I have been a DEVO fan since 1979.

[@AndrewSmyk]

Saw last show of the 50 years of De-Evolution Tout and the band still has that edge that made me a DEVO fan. The concert was a gritty, sonic filled show of nostalgia, new song arrangements and self-deprecating humour. DEVO was my go to band throughout my life, owning their albums on multiple formats. The Whip It 45 single has one of my favourite songs on the B-side, Turn Around, which is a great example of the combining cynicism and satire in their lyrics and delivery.

[@phillipramplin1203]

Devo has and is still a earworm for this 53year old ninny slash twit loved this vid cheers from Australia

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Haha! I'm not surprised; once Devo hooks you, they stay with you for life. So nice to be seen in Australia! Thanks for the comment!

[@davidnygard1817]

I was hooked on Devo when I accidently saw them on Saturday Night Live. They knocked it out of the park! What a breath of fresh air!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Yes! One of the greatest performances in SNL history!

[@ftcharleywud4047]

❤ I never thought of DEVO as a punk band, but you really made your case. I've been a fan since about 1979. I saw "Satisfaction" as kind of a trailer in a movie theater and they scared the living shit out of me. It took me a while to realize their brilliance. I was into Yes, ELP, and maybe Rush at the time. I learned a lot from your video,and spent a lot of time defending (way back when), their influence on pop music in subsequent years. Thank you again.❤

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Much appreciated! So glad you enjoyed the video, and you're not alone in having to defend Devo's importance. They get unfairly marginalized so often, but you can see their fingerprints on so many things today. And everything they warned us about has happened. Thanks for the comment!

[@larrysevigny589]

Awesome video man! When I was 10 in the same week my cousin gave me Duty now for the future and my 4th grade teacher (call her Mrs. Garrison) brought in 3 record singles for the class. Pat Benitar, ACDC and Devo. At the end of that week I stayed up late to watch my fav Fridays and guess who performed! Have always loved the rebellious drive u feel from singing Devo's lyrics. They were and still are way ahead of they're time. Mark and Gerry are in their 70's now and sound everybit as crisp as they ever did. Devo's awesome!

[@GordonGower]

When Fred Willard announced, ladies and gentlemen, DEVO that fateful night... my life changed.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Your life and a lot of others as well, Gordon! Devo were so visually and musically arresting that night. Fred apparently got the hosting gig when another host (Muhammad Ali?) dropped out. It was really a great show all around.

[@fuadramsey3]

I love it. I have some others I believe I might like better, but DEVO are in the top few favorites of all time for sure! Thank you for shedding some light on these geniuses. Truly, Pioneers Who Been Scalped. And Duty Now For The Future is awesome! Living through it, I didn’t realize people didn’t like this album.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

So glad you enjoyed it. Talking about these guys was a labor of love. Thanks a lot for the comment!

[@scottbaldridge6148]

Thank you for this wonderful recollection of All things "spud"! Well done sir!!!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks a lot, Scott! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@myfrestuff3453]

Spuds of the world untie and unite! 😎

[@carolwolf9614]

This is brilliant. Thank you so much. Love from the UK. We loved this band in Britain

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks a lot, Carol! So happy to hear from a fellow Devo fan! The UK were very quick to embrace Devo--which speaks well of all there. Welcome to the channel!

[@spookysoo1828]

Excellent! Thanks for making this. I was trying to explain these guys to as a punk act, art project, and their impact on music my daughter. You did a better job than me! :D I think Devo was more in the spirit of first-wave punk, which tended to lean into art and abstraction. Most people only know about the second-wave and later though, which is why they expect mohawks and screaming.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Okay, I'm ready to name you coolest parent ever! So glad you enjoyed the video. You're totally right about first-wave punk's artistic sensibilities. Such a shame that something that started out as boundless and undefined quickly turned into such a narrow-minded world view. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@timbo5053]

I was in my late teens when i heard 'mongoloid' and got hooked. Im now 63 and still love listening to DEVO (especially after a couple of drinks!)

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

They never get old--and I think a band like Devo keeps us young!

[@GetsumJ]

Thank you, I agree 100%. DEVO was legendary, they belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@mightywisdom88]

Came to the party late, but glad I made it in time! Modern English is a close second with some of my favorite bands in regards to social commentary in their content! These guys were miles ahead of everyone!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Yes! Modern English is a such an underrated band, with so many more great songs than people realize. Thanks for stopping by, and welcome to the channel!

[@mightywisdom88]

@@PopCultureGraveyard after a month of becoming a full fledged Devot-ee this review is 1000 times better! All of your thoughts mirror mine these guys were the xreme de la creme for Punk and so called New Wave! We Are Devo!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

I'm glad to hear it! Devo has such a massive catalog of high quality stuff. I love that people are getting deeper into Devo. Thanks a lot for coming back!

[@davidburke709]

Bob #1 autographed my car. DEVO is one of the constants of my life, except when they aren't. BE HAPPY OR NOT! And AWNM: WAD is and always will be one of my favorite albums.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Ha! That's so cool. I have to ask, what part of your car did Bob sign? I really believe Are We Not Men is one of the top ten most important albums released in the 20th century. It honestly changed the music scene forever.

[@russellbranham4868]

I was born in 1977. "Whip it" was the first song that i can remember, and it was my favorite song. (i come from a very musical family, and got into music at a VERY young age.) Devo has always been near and dear to my heart. I think their most punk song is "Penetration in the centerfold". In my early adult years, we used to drop LSD and listen to "Mechanical Man" and other songs, over and over. good times, great memories.

[@THX11458]

I remember first hearing them on SNL at the age of eleven and being utterly shocked at their performance that night; they looked and sounded like something from another planet. Like you have stated, there was literally nothing close to them at that time in popular music. You really can't overstate the originality of DEVO, it's an amazing band. (PS - It really irritates me too when they're listed as a 'one hit wonder" band).

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks, T! Devo are such a revelation when you're young. And the older you get, the more impressive they become. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@THX11458]

@@PopCultureGraveyard NP - I enjoyed the video!

[@jmorra]

I saw that too, and my whole world came crashing down. Devo, in the midst of my spiritual rubble, was the only thing that made sense.

[@OhBudel1965]

Absolutely life changing moment for me, too.

[@urgemore]

I was fifteen, but yep. I had to process it, like "What is this? I think I like it a lot, but it's so alien and bizarre." And familiar and science fiction, ha!

[@georgebovell5081]

Here in Australia I had found the album Are We Not Men? WE ARE DEVO! At the age of 13 in 1978, I was looked at strangely by my peers, thinking what on Earth is he listening to, so I was right into DEVO way before they had become popular with Freedom of Choice & Whip it, my friends then looked at me & asked if they could borrow my early DEVO stuff to listen to😉👍 Snowball is my all time favourite👍👍

[@frankengels7843]

Thanks for this. I think you nailed it in many ways. Most of the members of Devo would say they were not "punk" but I understand what you are talkin about. I want you to know..I consider you a brother. Duty Now!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Much appreciated, Frank! Duty now!

[@goredongoredon]

I was 18 in 1979 and the only person I knew who liked DEVO or any punk/new wave music (this was small town Michigan). The first album was one of my faves at the time; I bought it at a grocery store and it was on marble vinyl - MTV kind of ruined them for me a few years later but I eventually came back around :)

[@lawrencekanserski5119]

Growing up near Akron, Oh., in the 70's and 80's, DEVO was the ultimate rebel band. With the second British invasion syncing up with the American underground scene, admitting a love for DEVO automatically put you in the weird new wave sub-group of the social hierarchy of high school...and we were proud to be those freaks. We knew what DEVO was trying to say about the state of the world at the time. We were in on the joke. For my senior prom ('84), my friends and i were able to get enough votes from the other seniors to get "Whip IT" as the number 3 song of our class list. My favorite album is the New Traditionalist. "Beautiful World" is my all time favorite song. Please y'all, pressure the Rock/Roll hall of fame to get DEVO in.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks for the comment! Nice to hear you've been fighting the good fight since birth. Forged in the fire of Kent State-massacre anger and Watergate paranoia, Devo was always so beautifully subversive. Sadly, the song Beautiful World still sums up the state of things perfectly.

[@MichaelHonsinger]

I love Devo. I saw them in Bellingham Washington (1982?) I was living a block from the University so it was about a 2 block walk to their amazing show. During Jocko Homo Mothersbaugh climbed up onto a catwalk along the side of the gym doing a call and response with the audience singing “are we not men” then holding the mic out toward us for the response. Then he climbed down and dropped from the basketball backboard and hoop just fifteen feet from where I was dancing at the edge of the crowd. He walked over to me and stood a foot away looking me in the eyes for several seconds. I felt like a deer in headlights. Just as I snapped out of it and reached up to touch his shoulder he leaped away into the crowd making his way back to the stage. I have been to countless concerts beginning in the 70s. I have to say that Devos show was one of my top favorites. There was one great album you didn’t mention: Easy Listening Devo. Thanks for the great video!

[@viceversar-do1cn]

I've been a Devotee since way back in 1979! I remember actually thinking that Devo were going to be PHENOMENAL - one of the major defining groups of the 1980's - along with others like Talking Heads, B 52's, Blondie, Ultravox, OMD, Split Enz, Gary Numan, X, Black Flag, Bauhaus, Sonic Youth, Concrete Blonde - and THAT had me looking forward with great interest and excitement to the then new oncoming decade! But, sadly, THAT was NOT how it turned out. That decade eventually became dominated by ohhhhh Micheal "King of Pop" Jackson, Madonna, Huey Lewis, U2, Prince, Phill Collins, Def Lepard, Kenny Loggins, Bon Jovi whom the masses decided they preferred to have as their big music icons, and by the end of that decade Devo were forgotten and, worse still, from a historical standpoint got officially relegated to "One Hit Wonder" status thanks to the likes of VH1, MTV, these Watch Mojo jerks and Swiffer & Cool Whip commercials! Yep, what a pathetic and nauseating disappointment THAT decade turned out to be! Oh well, looks like they're being recently rediscovered thanks to You Tube, so then maybe there's still hope for them yet!

[@juanv.1738]

Great video, just getting into Devo. This video helped me learn a lot about them

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Glad to hear it! Devo are the best. I've been a Devo fan for decades, and there's still some of their music I haven't heard yet, so you've got lots of awesome music ahead of you. Thanks for the comment!

[@tojorozombie]

Very well done, Sir! Thank you kindly for the share!👍

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it, and I appreciate the kind words!

[@djboomshot]

I have found my tribe! I discovered Devo via the Are We Not Men album when I was in 5th grade in 1980. This might sound hyperbolic (tho it isn't), but the trajectory of my life changed instantly in that moment. I listened to that album constantly for days, when eventually I made it down the record store with enough lawn mowing and paper route money on hand to discover there were already two more albums by them available to me in an instant! I'm eternally grateful to Devo for opening my musical mind to get me into everything else that followed from there. Devo for life! (...and great vid too btw!)

[@DCronk-qc6sn]

The more you study, the more depth discovered.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Well said, and Devo definitely reward dedicated listeners.

[@marklarsen8]

Thanks for this. DEVO is one of the all time best bands!

[@LeakediNNOVATOR]

I really like SHOUT, Total DEVO, & Smooth Noodles Maps, I really just like all their albums. Anything DEVO produces is amazing in my opinion. I can’t put one album over the other because I love them all in their own ways. Awesome video!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

That's totally valid! Devo are one of those bands with a ridiculously high batting average, with so much great material. If forced to pick, though, I really love that we can all be rabid Devo fans yet each claim different eras as our favorites. That speaks to just how long the band created quality material, whether or not it spoke to all of us. Thanks for the comment, and welcome to the channel!

[@tonygatos1]

When i heard Devo for the first time in 78, i knew that the current music scene would never be the same again. Devo was the perfect thing to appear to counter balance the otherwise terrible music common in the mid to late 70s. I was so relieved and excited to hear this music. We are Devo!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Yes! Devo came to save us all from the boring, stupid and/or downright lousy music being made at the time. It's hard to believe not everyone felt like we do about it. Some people don't want to be saved.

[@Slingerland61]

Your comments about Alan Myers are perfect! Well said, spud. And OF COURSE Devo is the greatest punk band of all time, especially when their message flys over the heads of almost everyone. So ironic and funny when so-called punks didn't understand them!!!

[@wmwilliamsiii]

YES. I bought my first DEVO album while on a high school field trip downtown around 1992-93. We dipped into a independent record store called Raven Records. I saw Devo's Greatest Hits and memories of Whip It ( I was 6 when it came out) came flooding back. I bought it on cassette. All my friends made fun of me (into NIN, Front242, alternative and hard rock) I mocked them back saying that Devo was kicking ass over a decade ago. My friends looked like a bunch real spuds when the boys of de-evolution played lallapalooza a few years later.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Ha! Awesome story! I love that in dealing with your friends, you got a microcosm of what Devo had to deal with audiences at large. It made your fandom all the better that you had to fight for it. Happy your friends turned it around in time for Lollapalooza!

[@adams2841]

Thanks for running through each album's highlights. I have about five of the albums, but didn't have Duty Now For The Future, Oh No! It's Devo, Smooth Noodle Maps, or Something For Everybody. I thought I was covered since I had the compilation Pioneers Who Got Scalped, which has many of the essentials, but now I have to complete the collection. I agree with you: technically, they may be considered a one hit wonder, but they've got dozens of great songs. And Fountain of Filth is a great find, thanks for that.

[@mistergone5156]

Devo is my favorite band of all time, thanks for posting. As Jerry said, it takes courage to be a Devo fan these days.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

You said it! So glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the great comment!

[@mistergone5156]

@@PopCultureGraveyard You're very welcome!

[@joelasuedois8980]

Spuds got courage!

[@The_OneManCrowd]

It was back then, too. I tell people D-E-V-O is my favorite band and they look at me all crazy.

[@jmorra]

Then you gotta play, "going under."

[@neilfrith7864]

Wow brother thanks! What a video! Good to knows other spuds are crazy as i am for DEVO 🙏you mentioned devo being bigger in uk🤔weird! Cos everyone i try and convert have never heard of them (loving it after a couple of traks!) some of my older ex army friends remember them from when they were stationed in Germany 70s 80s time, i only just remember them from years ago (I'm 49)we were spoilt whith amazing music bak then it was hard to keep up! 😍

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Hey there! I meant that early Devo were accepted in the UK (by critics and audiences) more immediately than they were in the US. They had 5 top 75 songs there, but it really took the success of their breakthrough song Whip It to break them big in America. Trying to convert people to Devo is God's work--keep it up! You're so right about us being spoiled with amazing music back then. And there was so much of it, we'd have never believed it was gonna stop someday! Thanks for the comment, Neil!

[@naturenel]

I’m just now coming across this video 3 yrs later. But the info is ageless. Finally someone is saying what I’ve been saying since day one. I’m old enough to have lived the DEVO era from first Lp to today. They are my favorite punk band next to Plasmatics. Yes very far apart but yet just as contraversual at its time. My first DEVO concerts was in 1982. I was blown away when Mark M came down the balcony of the theater on a rope. That’s how they kicked off that show. Definitely best punk band ever! Thank you for validating that. 🔥

[@minsterhill]

Great show! Thank you! Terrific band!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

I appreciate the kind words, Howard! We are all Devo! Thanks for the comment!

[@jmorra]

At last, someone who rolled it all together. You UNDERSTAND Devo. Here's something else, which you hinted at throughout: while they were a mirror of the de-evolving human race, they were also presenting, however obtuse, an alternative to this problem. Their "answer," as I see it, was true creativity. Anyone can make fun of conformity or hippies, or religious people, and DEVO did that well. But they balanced the contempt with creativity...truly wonderful and sometimes even moving music. It's no accident that Mark is one of the most sought-after composers today. He isn't just saying how stupid everyone is; he's making the world better with amazing , inventive music. So that's it. Like their cover of Secret Agent Man, they can mock and pay tribute all at once. No wonder so many were confused. And remain so. You GET DEVO, as Henry Rollins said. Bravo to you!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thank you, my friend! Always nice to meet a fellow die-hard Devo fan. And it's very true--Devo both poses the question and delivers to answer (to those who listen). They're such a complex, artistic expression that most people being skewered actually think they're in on the joke. I think it's the band's sense of humor--that sardonic spoon full of sugar--that keeps Devo from coming across as mean spirited. One good thing about Devo always being ahead of their time is they're aging SO much better than most bands. Future generations will envy us for having them around.

[@AdamBorseti]

Fantastic video about one of my favorite bands! I think my favorite DEVO album is New Traditionalists followed by Duty Now For The Future. I had the pleasure of seeing them live in Boston back in 2008 and I still have the smiley faced bouncy balls Boogie Boy threw out into the audience 😂

[@illyph9963]

Greatest band ever, I was born in 77 and my dad (who had me at 18 and was raising me by himself) and his friends were really into them, so between listening to my dads records, and watching his “men who make the music” vhs over and over, they quickly became my favorite as little kid, then when I was 5 years old, my dad took me to see them at tower theater in Philly for my first concert ever, I had flower pot on and was in my glory lol, then when they performed whip it, like tower had a balcony at back of venue, and they went into a long bridge before last chorus, while mark left stage, and re appeared on balcony holding rope coming down from ceiling, well me n my dad were out in center on ground level toward stage, and mark must have looked down and saw my little 5 year old flower potted spud ass going nuts screaming to him, and he literally swung down on rope, and he landed literally on my dads shoulders(I remember my dad was actually bruised from it after😂) and while my dad held him up, he leaned over ,held mic up to my mouth, and as they started playing last chorus, he let me sing the “whip it, whip it good” into mic, it was most glorious thing ever to my 5 year old brain, and despite fact I’m a hip hop artist, THAT WAS the moment that solidified in my brain, that “this is what I want to be when I grow up” and began my own journey as a musician, I’d really love to meet mark one day and tell him the story see if he remembers lol

[@MultiPetercool]

Seen them four times. The first time was during the New Traditionists tour at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia. The only band that ever came close is The Tubes. I would argue The Tubes were a seminal Punk band. You need to speak about them sometime!

[@Flegetanis]

Even Rolling Stone magazine has "Are We Not Men?" on its greatest punk rock albums list. One thing that's an acquired taste (& I acquired it) is Neil Young's movie "Human Highway". Most eerie is Devo playing "Ohio", considering they were witnesses to the actual Kent State Massacre.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks for the backup, Eric. Had no idea about the Rolling Stone mag thing. Cool to hear. You're so right about HH being an acquired taste. I LOVE Devo in that move. They really make it worth watching. Yes, that Ohio/Kent State/Devo connection is surreal and meta and bizarre--and a million other things. I love that Neil recognized how special Devo was. And Neil's way of showing love is jamming with them--the first time Devo ever "jammed" according to them.

[@alanstrom2221]

There is a very interesting connection between Neil Young with both PUNK and GRUNGE. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ21Xn6AjdBqers NEIL YOUNG AND DEVO - Hey Hey, My My (UNCUT) Every now and then, parallel lines crossover. I'm a massive fan of Neil and DEVO. Though, like thousands of You Tube watchers, I'm wildly amazed and shocked at their collaboration. I think that a lot of musicians view Neil as a ground breaking maverick. Pearl Jam worship Neil. Suzi Quatro plays " Keep on Rockin' in the Free World" in her LIVE set. I was at one of Suzi's gigs many years ago and was struggling to recognize the intro to the song they started playing. I was thinking " This isn't a Quatro song" No, it was " Keep on Rockin' in the Free World" Suzi and her Band played it, full on, for 10 minutes or more. Suzi is the QUEEN of ROCK n ROLL after all. The definition of what PUNK is, can be very broad or very narrow. PUNK is actually an attitude. Some Bands and artists are pigeonholed as an Electronic Band, like The Residents, yet I class them as PUNK. Rock Band STATUS QUO have so much attitude that they don't give a rats' arse what you think, some music critics have classed them as PUNK. Have a listen to "Is it Really Me/Gotta Go Home" (Lancaster) - 9:34 from Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon the third studio album by English rock band Status Quo, 1970. Put your headphones on & turn it up to eleven and be blown away. Neil Young & DEVO playing together is extreme PUNK.

[@alanstrom2221]

I normally have no faith or confidence in what Rolling Stone magazine print, because it is either inaccurate, incorrect or just very biased. Though sometimes they can't avoid printing the truth.

[@fzcbh4698]

My top Devo albums from less favorite to best: 9- Shout. 8- Total Devo. 7- Smooth Noodle Maps. 6- Duty Now for the Future. 5- Oh, No! It's Devo. 4- Something for Everybody/ Something Else for Everybody. 3- Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! 2- Freedom of Choice. 1- New Traditionalists.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Very interesting list with some bold choices! New Traditionalists is fantastic, and songs like Beautiful World, Soft Things and Pity You are some of my favorites. Thanks for the comment!

[@JCStorm76]

New Traditionalists is my favourite too. I agree with most of the rest too Though I would swap Something For Everybody with Duty Now For The Future in a heartbeat.

[@fzcbh4698]

@@JCStorm76 Well everyone has his opinion but at least I guess that most of people would agree that the greatest three Devo albums that everyone should listen are the first, third and fourth album. Then in the middle class are the second, fifth and last album. Then the worst three albums are the sixth, seventh and eighth.

[@jadenthemusicfreak]

Are We Not Men is definitely my #1 favorite. New Traditionalists is up there too, lots of underrated excellent tracks on there!

[@RossTotino]

Great review/retrospective. Thank you.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks, Ross! So glad you enjoyed the episode!

[@dancunninghammusic9372]

“Every month or so a new DEVO song takes over my life” …I felt that

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Haha! Glad you could relate, Dan!

[@oldpunk55]

That first album completely changed my musical life when I first heard it in ‘79. Nothing on earth sounded like those first riffs from “Uncontrollable Urge” and after that it just got better. Don’t know if I would go as far to say they are the best punk band of all time, I see them more as art-core. And for that they certainly are the best. All time top ten band for me. Nice commentary.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

I'm with you. I might have overreached to make a point, but when it comes to expanding minds, Devo has no equal. They're totally Top 10. Thanks for the comment!

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

Are Ramones Punk? No, they are a Rock And Roll band. What is Punk Rock? Sarcastic, snotty, with solid bass playing. DEVO fits the bill, and adds intelligence, self-awareness, and hey, they gave us "Come Back Johnee"...Is Punk an aesthetic, or a musical style? So hard to quantify, and I've been trying to figure it out for 33 years...

[@kobalt77]

You are correct. They were not a Punk band.

[@rabmorrison3484]

You are absolutely correct in my humble opinion. as i sit here typing in my power dome (not kidding but definitely drunk) they are everything that everything else is not...... unique and by that rationalle brilliant in every sense. they are the soundtrack to my formative years and a big part of my being the person i am today. I live in the UK and we have a Devo tribute band here called ' we are not DEVO/ they are absolutely brilliant and are a genuine tribute to the OHIO spudboys. They are humble in their pursuit of representing the originals whom we understand cannot grace our small island with their presence on a regular basis. Respect to all on this page. Are we not men>

[@danl.909]

Sorry to be late, but yes: greatest punk band of all time. Arguably the best band of _any_ kind in the ‘78-‘82 era. Brilliant, shattering originality that most of the music-consuming public could not understand without an irony transplant.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Spot on, Dan! I couldn't have said it better myself! And you're so right; that run they had during those years is of such sustained quality, it's amazing. It's somewhat akin to the Kinks run from 66-70 or Steely Dan's run in the '70s--two more irony merchants that weren't always appreciated.

[@edmund415]

Woke up to Blockhead in my head this morning and found your channel. I agree with everything you talk about. I remember people calling Devo soft punk when they came out but it’s hard to put Devo in any genre. Great job putting this video together.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Not a bad song to wake up to! I appreciate the kind words. You're so right; Devo almost defies definition--a genre unto themselves. Thanks for the comment, and welcome to the channel!

[@bleepbloopblahp]

I'm glad I found this video. I have been trying to convince people that DEVO is a punk band for many years. Great video mate. You have a slightly different take on some of the music than I do but I couldn't agree more that DEVO are true punks. Greatest ever? I'm not sure. Is there another band that is more punk? I don't know of any.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks a lot, Danny! Devo's punk as hell. And it's always nice to hear from a fellow Devo fan. I'm not surprised we have different takes, as Devo's catalog is so rich and varied, we all have our favorites. Welcome to the channel!

[@horatius2006]

Late to the party, but love the vid! @11:43 You nailed "Whip It". Saw an interview with G. Casale, and he said it was about positive "pop psychology" (e.g.: Norman Vincent Peale) and how absurd it is. Also he mentioned a funny side note: Listen to the beginning of Roy Orbison's "Pretty Women", and then listen to the beginning of "Whip It".

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thank you, my friend! That's wild about Pretty Woman! Funnily enough, the second I read, "Listen to the beginning of Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman..." I could immediately hear the intro in my head, and was like, Whoah, Whip It totally took that and sped it up. So cool!

[@jerrybailey5797]

I just love the intro to gut feeling , gotta be one of the best intros l've heard , fantastic 👌

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

YES! It always gets me going!

[@winslow-eh5kv]

I'll go better than merely best Punk band, .. . best band PERIOD.

[@JustinLeeper]

Loved the video! Would have been super happy to hear you discuss more about Hardcore Devo 1 & 2. They ended up getting decent distribution under Rhino, and have some wonderful tracks. A bit like Black Dots by Bad Brains, they have some of my favorite stuff from Devo. I saw both above mentioned bands in the 2000s, which I never thought possible. Both at House of Blues venues in California, actually.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

What a great analogy, Lee! HD1&2 are totally like Devo's Black Dots--really early tracks before Devo became what Devo would become, yet in many ways it's more pure. That's awesome that you got to see them both, but I'm shocked that House of Blues booked anyone that cool. Thanks for the comment!

[@JustinLeeper]

@@PopCultureGraveyard Appreciate the response! I was pretty fond of House of Blues in Hollywood. Saw a lot of shows there. Then got to play it myself when I was with GWAR in 2014, before they closed it down for good.

[@robingourde9366]

My first DEVO experience was a Nu-Trad concert. The pre show vids, the Temple of DEVO, the TREADMILLS! Mindblowing! Needless to say, I've been a Spudboy and DEVOtee ever since.

[@thenewwavejoeshow]

You are so on point. They are amazing. I saw them live last year and they were fab.

[@davidreid1171]

When are you coming back Hollis?

[@davidvasquez8658]

Definitely the best punk band ever.Great Pop Culture Graveyard.Thank you.

[@chance494]

Just found your page. Great videos!!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Glad you found me! Welcome aboard, and thanks for the comment!

[@Galaxyngc7331]

I agree 100%. I’ve been telling people this for years. I’m subbing.

[@bpthon]

I liked them as a teen in the 80s but didn't know what they were really doing or where they came from. I've become a much bigger fan over the years as I could appreciate their musicianship more deeply. It's 2021 and I'm still catching up. Amazingly talented group.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

You're so right! They're a super-talented group; and the best part is that there's so much to catch up on! They have such a rich body of work, and within that, lots of different phases. Thanks for the comment!

[@bpthon]

@@PopCultureGraveyard I appreciate your insightful content. Well done, sir!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

@@bpthon My pleasure! Be sure to check out my other videos. I think there's plenty of other bands you'd like. Cheers!

[@syater2]

For for the Q: Are We Not Men tour stop in Santa Cruz, we customized our own Devo hazmat suits and ended up swapping our suits for theirs. Then they came to our house for a party. Mothersbaugh played DJ, or so my girlfriend at the time tells me. We were assured Devo wore our suits on stage the next night in San Francisco. By any measure it was a very memorable evening. Excellent summing up here, by the way. Thanks !

[@telophasemusic]

Totally agree with the title! Devo is hands down one of the most misunderstood musical groups ever. Everyone just knowing them for Whip It is such a shame. Just imagine living life and not hearing those first 4 albums of theirs. Also, the drumming of Alan Myers is mind-blowingly sharp. The man was a human metronome.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Yes! Thanks for getting my back on this, Jerome! You're correct on all fronts, and it's always nice to hear from a fellow Devo fan. Welcome to the channel!

[@juliegeneric042]

The Residents are extra misunderstood 😆

[@markfloyd6816]

Excellent review! I saw them live in Columbus, Ohio, in 1980. I’ve been a fan since their first album. I’m not familiar with anything they did after about 1983 or so. Probably my favorite it “Gut Feeling”. And “Girl You Want” is way, way up there! Many thanks for making this video!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks, Mark! So glad you enjoyed it. Wow--you saw them on THE tour to see them on! And in Ohio too! Very cool. Gut Feeling is definitely the Devo song I'd play for non-Devo fans. It has enough easy-on-the-ears elements (like Whip It does), but unlike Whip It, it is still very reflective of their larger body of work. And Girl You Want is just a PERFECT pop song!

[@mxvalentina]

I really appreciated this. I agree with the statements about The day my baby gave me a surprise (personal favorite) and Are you experienced. I’m curious why you didn’t talk about their latest releases. I agree that they made a big mistake losing Alan but if that didn’t happen Mark may have not gone on to do film scores