Devo: “What We Do”
DevoDevo will be remembered for its razor-sharp New Wave and goofy cultural commentary, but who would’ve thought the group would become bonafide rock stars? Their last-minute cancellation at last year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest was met with heavy hearts (guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh seriously injured his hand), but the group will be swinging back through Austin, performing this Sunday at Austin City Limits Live in support of last year’s Something For Everybody.
The quintet formed at Kent State almost immediately after the tragic 1970 shootings at the university. Their name commented on their belief in the “de-evolution” of society, and early in their career, Devo were seen as deliberate class clowns with singles like “Mongoloid” and their artsy cover of “Satisfaction.” The group effectively broke up in the 1990s, but in 2007 the group went back to touring and released Something For Everybody in 2010, their first new music in twenty years. The record is characteristically Devo, full of bright pop that’s danceable but also incredibly thoughtful and often funny. The group even previewed the album for fans first, who offered up opinions on the music and track listing. Even in this day and age, Devo continues to push boundaries.
Today’s song of the day comes from Something For Everybody. Here’s “What We Do,” by Devo.
–Art Levy
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