Whip it
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Whip it on Fair rides then Whip It with Devo
by Tony Engelhart
Sep 20, 2007
The first time I heard Devo was on KISW in 1979 with a cover of the Rolling Stones “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” and I thought, “What the fuck is this noise?” But the more I heard it, the more it grew on me.
Even though I never became obsessed with the Akron, Ohio, quintet, the circle of new wavers I hung out with did so I got a taste of the band’s work and dug most of what I heard.
Devo formed in 1972 with Kent State art students Jerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh who conceptualized the idea of de-evolution — that mankind was regressing and not evolving with its programmed ideals. The music was robotic and cold with synthesizer as the focal point. Spotted by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, Devo secured a record deal and released Q: We Are Not Men? A: We Are Devo! Critics hated it, calling the band fascist, but that was exactly what the band wanted.
In 1980 Devo took video to a whole new level with “Whip It” as they incorporated a futuristic look among a redneck setting and hints of Sadomasochism. They never charted quite as high again but somehow have remained a part of pop culture for the past 20+ years.
[Puyallup Fairgrounds, 7:30 p.m., $27.50-$35.50 at Ticketmaster, 110 Ninth Ave., Puyallup, 253.841.5045]
