Devo – Hardcore Live! (CD)

Devo, captured live in Oakland, performing early experimental tracks written between 1974 and 1977, prior to any label deal or public success. No matter how messy, beginnings are exciting. Especially when what happens next endures the test of time.

For Devo, the beginning happened in the basements and garages of Akron, Ohio. The songs they wrote were raw and unfiltered with no commercial intent. They called it Hardcore Devo.

Performing 21 oddities, this is a tribute to departed, original Devo bandmate, Robert “Bob 2” Casale.

Recorded live on June 28, 2014 at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California.

Formed in 1972, the classic line-up of the band included two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs (Mark and Bob) and the Casales (Gerald and Bob), along with Alan Myers. The band had a UK chart hit in 1980 with the single Whip It (#51) and has maintained a cult following throughout its existence.

Their style over time has shifted between punk, art rock, post-punk and new wave. Their music and stage show mingle kitsch science fiction themes, deadpan surrealist humour, and mordantly satirical social commentary. Their often discordant pop songs feature unusual synthetic instrumentation and time signatures that have proven influential on subsequent popular music, particularly new wave, industrial and alternative rock artists. Devo was also a pioneer of the music video, creating many memorable clips for the LaserDisc format, with Whip It getting heavy airplay in the early days of MTV.

TRACKS:
    Mechanical Man
    Auto Mo-down
    Space Girl Blues
    Baby Talkin Bitches
    Fraulein
    I Been Refused
    Bamboo Bimbo
    Beehave
    Midget
    Satisfaction
    Timing Excercise/Soo Bawls
    Stop Look and Listen
    O NO
    Be Stiff
    Uncontrollable Urge
    Social Fools
    Jocko Homo
    Fountain Of Filth
    Gut Feeling
    U Got Me Bugged (Booji Boy)
    Clock Out