Last week I started to go a bit more in-depth about my relationship with the band Devo. One of the two tattoos I have is inspired by the band as is the name of this blog.
Wednesday night the band was in town for their Hardcore Devo Tour. There were only 10 stops on this tour which exhumed songs from 1974-1977, the period of time before the band’s debut album arrived.
Songs featured were from the recently rereleased compilation album Hardcore Devo, previously available in two volumes now combined into a double album. Yes, there were songs like “Uncontrollable Urge”, “Jocko Homo” or even my personal favorite “Be Stiff” but the emphasis was on the (much) lesser known songs such as “Midget” or “Social Fools”. Here is the latter.
What I really liked about the set, other than the wealth of songs the crowd couldn’t sing along to, was the presentation – in chronological order. Devo presented a 2 hour history of the band. They started out in the basement with songs from 1974 and 1975 on through to 1976 and 1977 with props the band used at the time.
With no opening band Devo took the stage a little after 8 and played for about 2 hours. It was a fantastic set and I wish I had gotten pictures. My phone’s battery died and I didn’t bring my regular camera.
Here in “Midget.”
Two types of tickets were available for purchase to this concert. the regular admission ticket and a much more expensive VIP package which included a meet and greet with the band. Unfortunately the tickets to meet the band sold out so I only had the general admission ticket. I would have really liked to have met the band, had them sign my New Traditionalists LP and thank them.
Of course I somehow found a way into the meet and greet. The less said the better.
Wanting something for the band to sign I ran to the merchandise table and picked up the (rather expensive but very nicely printed) poster for the tour. I stood in line and waited my turn. First up was Mark Mothersbaugh. He drew on my poster and I told him I started this blog and titled it inspired by the Devo song. He seemed a little surprised, but was cool with it. I shook his hand and thanking him for the inspiration the band has provided over the years. Sitting next to him was Bob Mothersbaugh (Bob 1) and he heard a bit of our conversation and noticed my tattoo as I shook Mark’s hand. He smiled and laughed approvingly then signed my poster.
Next to him was Josh Freese who is at this point as much a member of the band as anybody. While he isn’t the original drummer his time behind the kit has been longer than even original drummer Alan Myers. Finally Gerry Casale. He seemed touched when I told him the inspiration for my blog’s title. When I thanked him for the inspiration the band has provided over the years his response was “That’s the point, isn’t it?” As I was being told to move along (a little roughly probably because the security guys finally figured out I wasn’t supposed to be there) I got to give condolences to Gerry about his brother.
Of the three times I have seen Devo this was my favorite. Each of the three performances were fantastic, but getting to meet the band, tell them to their face how they directly inspired me on top of a fantastic performance of rarely heard songs makes this my favorite.
“Fountain Of Filth”
Now if only the band would release a live album from this tour. Please.