Devo Is
A Band
DUTY NOW FOR THE FUTURE
Are We Not Men? We Are Devo!
In 1973, out of the remnants of late ’60s political activism and the rising post-punk music climate, the seminal band DEVO was born. The formative lineup consisted of two sets of brothers—Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, and Gerald and Bob Casale—along with drummer Alan Myers, all hailing from Akron, Ohio.
The band’s prophetic message of “Devolution” and their strikingly original fusion of electronics and punk made them a singular influence throughout the ’80s and into the ’90s. DEVO began when Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale met as students at Kent State University and began exchanging ideas about art and music.
Deeply influenced by the Vietnam War, campus protests, and the tragic Kent State shootings of May 1970, the duo started making films and writing songs that would evolve into a wholly unique performance style. Their art-meets-music ethos quickly propelled them into the spotlight as one of the most high-profile acts in the New Wave movement, earning them a fervent cult following that included David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Neil Young.
The Rise of Devo
In 1978, after an impromptu endorsement at Max’s Kansas City where David Bowie declared them “the band of the future,” DEVO was whisked off to Germany. There, Brian Eno—along with Bowie’s collaboration—produced their debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are DEVO!. The record caught the attention of both critics and the industry, helping the band build a devoted following. It wasn’t until their third album, Freedom of Choice—produced by Bob Margouleff and featuring the double-platinum single Whip It—that DEVO became a worldwide phenomenon.
Beyond Devo
The band continued to evolve, releasing influential albums such as New Traditionalists,, Oh No! It’s DEVO, and Shout. Their visual and sonic innovations helped define the aesthetic of the early MTV era.In 1990, DEVO went on hiatus to pursue other creative paths. Mark Mothersbaugh received a call from friend Paul Reubens and went on to compose the theme and music for Pee-wee’s Playhouse. This unexpected opportunity launched him into a prolific career in film and television composition.
Photo: Janet Macoska 1978
He founded Mutato Muzika—a full-service music production house and a nod to his DEVO roots (“mutant” + “potato”)—and brought in Bob Mothersbaugh and Bob Casale. Based in the iconic Oscar Niemeyer building on Sunset Boulevard, Mutato became one of the most successful music houses in Hollywood.
Photo by Robert Matheu 1981
Mark has since become one of the most in-demand and highest-grossing composers in the industry. In addition to hundreds of commercials, games, and television projects, his film scores include The Rugrats Movie, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Lego Movie, Thor: Ragnarok, Cocaine Bear, and most recently, A Minecraft movie.
Devo Returns
Gerald Casale, director of most of DEVO’s music videos, became a notable figure in the MTV revolution, directing videos for bands like Rush, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, and Silverchair. He also built a successful commercial career, directing for brands including Miller Lite, Diet Coke, Mrs. Butterworth’s and Tang.
In 1996, DEVO reunited for the first time in six years at the Sundance Film Festival to an exuberant crowd—DEVO was back. With the original lineup intact (except for Alan Myers, who was replaced by drummer Josh Freese), the band reignited their live performance legacy. Freese remained with DEVO for nearly two decades.
Since then, DEVO has continued to perform at festivals and venues around the globe. Their message feels more relevant than ever, and their influence can be heard in bands ranging from Rage Against the Machine and Nirvana to LCD Soundsystem and Santigold. Kurt Cobain once said, “Of all the bands who came from the underground and made it in the mainstream, DEVO were the most challenging and subversive of all.” (Nirvana covered DEVO’s Turnaround, featured on their 1992 compilation Incesticide.)
Devolution Continues
In 2023, DEVO embarked on their 50th Anniversary Tour, featuring three original members—Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, and Gerald Casale. Jeff Friedl now holds the drumsticks, and Josh Hager has taken over for the late Bob Casale on rhythm guitar and synths. Their high-energy performances blend punk, rock, and synth-pop in a way that continues to astonish and delight audiences.
As music critic Bob Lefsetz recently wrote about DEVO’s set at Cruel World:
“It occurs to me that this music is anything but dated… make no mistake, live DEVO ROCKS!”
DEVO, the feature documentary directed by Chris Smith, will stream globally as a Netflix Original in August 2025.
