See 21 more photos

Devo

On Tour

3,170,007 plays (228,855 listeners)

Listening now: Maxmalo

Add to my Library Share

new wave, 80s, post-punk, alternative, rock… see all

279 shouts

Akron, Ohio, USA (1972 – 1991, 1996 – present)

Devo (pronounced DEE-vo by most and occasionally spelled in all capital letters; although members of the group refer to themselves with the emphasis on the second syllable.) is an American rock group formed in Akron, Ohio, USA in 1972. The band split in 1991 and returned in 1996.

Their style has been variously classified as punk, industrial and rock, but are most often considered to be the 70s/early 80s New Wave band that ushered in the synth pop of the 1980s, along with other acts such as Gary Numan and The B-52’s.

Devo’s music and stage show mingle kitsch science fiction themes, deadpan surrealist humor, and mordantly satirical social commentary, often dealing with the concept of De-Evolution, in sometimes-discordant pop songs that often feature unusual synthetic instrumentation and time signatures.

Their work has proved hugely influential on subsequent popular music, particularly New Wave, alternative and grunge music, they created some memorable music videos popular in the early days of MTV.
The name “Devo” comes from the concept of Devolution (also referred to by the band as “de-evolution”). This idea was developed as a joke by Kent State University art students Gerald Casale and Bob Lewis as early as the late 1960s. Casale and Lewis created a number of art pieces in the vein of Devolution. At this time, Casale had also performed with the local band 15-60-75. They met Mark Mothersbaugh around 1970, who introduced them to the pamphlet Jocko Homo Heavenbound, which would later inspire the song “Jocko Homo”.

1	Whip It full track	1,671
2	Mongoloid	855
3	Girl U Want	679
4	Gut Feeling full track	669
5	(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction	667
6	Uncontrollable Urge	659
7	Jocko Homo	633
8	Freedom of Choice	444
9	Praying Hands	435
10	Come Back Jonee	407
11	Space Junk	404
12	Be Stiff	387
13	Gates of Steel	339
13	Beautiful World	339
15	Too Much Paranoias	329

Top Albums

Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
Devo
Buy
- Amazon
- eBay
Download
Freedom of Choice
Devo
Buy
- Amazon
- eBay
Download
Greatest Hits
Devo
Buy
- Amazon
- eBay
Download
Oh, No! It's Devo
Devo
Buy
- Amazon
- eBay
Download

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).

alexia_N wrote:
Friday evening

These guys are geniuses. Not just musically! I agree with their political views. I agree with almost everything I've read that they've said. Ha. That's one of the main reasons why I love them so much, other than the excellent music.

View Profile | Leave alexia_N a shout
natsumiaki wrote:
Friday evening

!

View Profile | Leave natsumiaki a shout
Hugo_A-Go-Go wrote:
Thursday evening

i like.

View Profile | Leave Hugo_A-Go-Go a shout
monbozia wrote:
Tuesday morning

everyone tag them "nerd punk".

View Profile | Leave monbozia a shout
pacmanic wrote:
Monday afternoon

Try to detect it!

View Profile | Leave pacmanic a shout
Melunos wrote:
Monday morning

peek-a-boo!

View Profile | Leave Melunos a shout
AmandaClaire212 wrote:
last month

look out for a movie by Drew Barrymore called "Whip It" should be out next year...

View Profile | Leave AmandaClaire212 a shout
marcelomadrid wrote:
last month

"It's never straight up 'n' down"

View Profile | Leave marcelomadrid a shout
stanhope13 wrote:
last month

always liked this

View Profile | Leave stanhope13 a shout
skmelanie wrote:
last month

I was obsessed with new wave stuff about 4 years ago and then I stopped...I forgot how much I liked some of their stuff.

View Profile | Leave skmelanie a shout
[deleted-user] wrote:
last month

Are we not men?
WTFshelby wrote:
last month

WE'RE ALLLLLL DEVO!

View Profile | Leave WTFshelby a shout
mrmocha wrote:
last month

is it chango or changó? (advanced question for sure)

View Profile | Leave mrmocha a shout
Anklepants wrote:
last month

Got to hang out with the band on Monday night after their show for a few drinks. Quite bizarre.

View Profile | Leave Anklepants a shout
fernbom wrote:
last month

Some of you who like Devo might enjoy Quit Your Dayjob

View Profile | Leave fernbom a shout
falodinia wrote:
July 2008

(L)

View Profile | Leave falodinia a shout
monbozia wrote:
July 2008

The world has never seen another band like Devo. And it's not just the tunes; it's the whole attitude. Every catchy beat drips with irony.

View Profile | Leave monbozia a shout
ladyemero wrote:
July 2008

so many songs to choose from ...love Devo :D

View Profile | Leave ladyemero a shout
Abikyogra wrote:
July 2008

Devo were so great because they were a hell of a lot more than just new wave, on their first few albums anyway. The strong blues and krautrock influences, the fusion of warm American sounds with cold European ones and the dada art terrorism put them in a league of their own.

View Profile | Leave Abikyogra a shout
mattmacneil wrote:
July 2008

they NEVER come to Toronto. FUDGE.

View Profile | Leave mattmacneil a shout

12…14 Next

Listeners

stickmatrix
Listening now
to «I_Can´t_Get_No»_Satisfa…
Maxmalo
Listening now
to Girl U Want
Niklasva
Listening now
to (I can' get no)…
ginz2
Top Listener
Vexxx2112
Top Listener
Vokyous
Top Listener

Events

Sep 27 Jack's III Show Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, United States
Add shout | 3 attendees

Add event | See more

Recent Activity

unamu1983 and CSU83 added Devo to their libraries. 2 hours ago
dr_ray tagged Devo with ‘seen live’. 5 hours ago
ohthatsyourshoe added Devo to ohthatsyourshoe’s library. 7 hours ago
TheWhimWham tagged Devo with ‘seen live’. 8 hours ago
kaffy2771 added Devo to kaffy2771’s library. 10 hours ago
akohler tagged Devo with ‘new wave’. 12 hours ago
deterseh, stonecracker, whoster and 15 other people added Devo to their libraries. yesterday evening
Natia2225 tagged Devo with ‘new wave’ and ‘80s’. yesterday morning
hero-in, sanisis55, river_otter and 4 other people added Devo to their libraries. yesterday morning
ecb91 tagged Devo with ‘new wave’. Friday evening