TLOBF Interview // Devo

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Since their inception in the early seventies, Ohio’s imaginative musical sons, Devo, have continued to defy convention. Mixing elements of the raw power and production synonymous with the then burgeoning punk movement, along with a slew of electronics and a general idiosyncratic aesthetic, the bands albums have inspired countless acts and spawned numerous ‘hits’ such as ‘Mongoloid’, ‘Jocko Homo’ and ‘Whip it’.

Returning after 20 years of (moderate) silence, Devo bring us Something For Everybody; an impressive new full length that appears to be imbued with the same hilarious cynicism that has forever provided them with invaluable creative fodder. Evidently, in the lead up to its release, the band orchestrated a series of satirical corporate marketing campaigns, announcing themselves as the musical wing of Devo Inc. and conducting intensive ‘focus-grouping’ and ‘song studies’ to determine exactly what everyone wants from the record – from the tracklisting to the colour of the famous ‘energy dome’ hats.

Amid the continued musings on capitalism and our increasingly “d-evolved” society, however, Something For Everybody also demonstrates the fun-loving, danceable grooves and caffiene-riddled electronic riffs we’ve come to love. But to give you a better, albeit brief insight into its inner workings, here’s the group’s keyboardist and co-vocalist Gerald Casale:

20 years on from Smooth Noodle Maps, what prompted your collective return to the studio, and why now?
It was now or never. We are senior citizens in a devolved world. We are as relevant as ever.

The new album, Something for Everybody appears to embrace both the good and bad qualities of today’s current technological/musical climate. Was this an intentional theme and do you feel the best way to deal with today’s somewhat mutated music industry is to ‘go with flow’, so to speak?
You are very astute. Devolution in practice, not just in word.

Can you also tell me a bit about the idea behind Devo Inc: the mass focus-grouping, ‘song studies’ and of course, the re-branding of the overall Devo aesthetic (including the iconic “energy domes”)? Is this more than just a way to “update” Devo for 2010?
No one wants to pay for music. Music has been trivialized in context of the culture. Marketing is the be all and end all of Capitalistic society.

Musically, what sort of ideas did you have in mind when approaching the prospect of writing new material? Did revisiting your old material throughout recent live shows have any effect on the writing process?
We can only be us. We tried to be the best ‘us’. Imagine if we said “Let’s try to sound like MGMT?” We would have been viciously attacked rather than smugly condescended to by a snipey press.

Was your decision to include Santigold – an young artist clearly influenced by your work – another way of embracing the modern musical landscape and indeed your position in it?
It wasn’t cynical. We welcomed current artists who share our sensibility. They added fairy dust would could not have anticipated.

The title, Something For Everybody seems to fit the album rather well, but I understand it actually came later? How did you eventually decide on it?
It was one of four final titles that seemed to describe what we had done. The focus group approved it.

It seems fitting that your first album in 20 years is back on your old label, Warner Bros., but what prompted the return/how did it come together?
They own all of our old masters. They were willing to step up and become a financial partner. That allowed us to hire a marketing agency, Mother.

It was announced recently that you are to appear in an episode of Futurama – Are you fans of the show? Can you tell me anything about your part in the episode?
This is a real sore point with me. It was a co-optiom of group principles and business practises.

As we speak, Something For Everyone has yet to hit the shelves but do you have any plans beyond this album/tour?
Absolutely! This is for real!

And lastly, what are your thoughts on the state of ‘devolution’ in 2010?
Not even a question – it’s a fact now. Like the fact of Global Warming – we can move on.