Devo

Mutate Don’t Stagnate

In 1973, rising from the fallout of late ’60s political unrest and the emerging post-punk scene, DEVO took shape. The band came together in Akron, Ohio, built around two sets of brothers—Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, and Gerald and Bob Casale—alongside drummer Alan Myers.

From the beginning, DEVO wasn’t just a band. It was an idea. Their concept of “Devolution”—the belief that society was regressing rather than progressing—paired with a sharp, unconventional mix of electronic sound and punk energy, set them apart immediately. That vision would go on to influence music and culture well into the ’80s and beyond.

The foundation started at Kent State University, where Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale met and began trading ideas about art, music, and the world around them. The Vietnam War, campus protests, and the Kent State shootings in May 1970 left a lasting mark on both of them. What followed was a series of experimental films and songs that slowly evolved into a completely original performance style—part art project, part band, fully its own thing.

That approach caught attention fast. As New Wave began to take hold, DEVO stood out, pulling in a devoted following that included figures like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Neil Young.

In 1978, everything shifted. After a performance at Max’s Kansas City where David Bowie called them “the band of the future,” DEVO found themselves in Germany, working with Brian Eno on their debut album, *Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are DEVO!*. The record drew critical attention and helped grow their audience, but it was their third album, *Freedom of Choice*, that broke them wide open. Produced by Bob Margouleff and featuring the double-platinum hit “Whip It,” the album pushed DEVO into global recognition.

They weren’t just part of the movement. They were ahead of it.