What a concert! I'd been waiting to see DEVO for 45 years. This flashback blogpost shares my first experience with them in the summer of 1980 (four and a half decades ago... how can that possibly be?).
My goal was to recreate this iconic pose.
I think I did pretty well. What a blast!As for this tubular lineup... DEVO and The B-52s' Cosmic De-Evolution Tour marks the first time the two pioneering alternative rock acts have ever hit the road together with both bands being fronted by three original members. Supposedly, they are in the midst of what they have said are their farewell toursInterestingly, the inspired pairing was conceived when both DEVO and The B-52s performed at Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary celebration earlier this year."The B-52s had one of the best sounds of any of the bands out there in the late ’70s early ’80s,” added DEVO’s Mark Mothersbaugh. “It was either fate or luck or the SNL anniversary that brought us all together to create this amazing chance to go out on tour. All I can say is Cosmic Devolution is REAL!"The pre-party of photo opportunities and fan ogling made the entire evening worth it.No, I did not buy this $60 plastic flower pot but it is so DEVO. These red hats, known as Energy Domes, are about the band's philosophy of de-evolution and the pseudoscientific concept of recycling orgone energy. The design was inspired by Art Deco ceiling fixtures from the band's school and influenced by geometric fashion and Aztec temples. Who knew?!This guy got the award for the most devoted fan. His tattoo collection was impressive (his very first, by the way, was of the Stray Cats).Shoreline Amphitheatre, in Mountain View, was an idyllic setting for a mid-October concert. (By the way, its women's bathrooms are the most plentiful and efficient as any I have ever peed in! High praise, indeed!).The opening act was the oldest of the performers, but not by much. At 76, Lene Lovich can still put on a show.Lene, an American-British singer, first gained attention in 1979 with the release of her hit single "Lucky Number", which peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and made her a leading figure of the new wave music scene. We love that song.The B-52s were formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. I got to see them live at LA's Greek Theatre in June of 1983. Of the three acts who performed tonight, Steve and I thought they were the most fun.DEVO, short for “De-Evolution,” began in Kent, Ohio, in 1973. They formed as an artistic response to the May, 1970 shooting of unarmed war protestors on the Kent State campus. Founding members Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale were both Kent State students at the time.
Their songs, 45 years later, have a different meaning than 18-year-old naive me perceived. For instance, what reads like a love song at first glance is actually something more. Girl U Want uses a love song structure, inspired by My Sharona to describe human desire for an unreachable ideal. In this case, it’s described as “the girl you want,” but it’s a metaphor for any idealized desire. Very DEVO as it turns out.Regardless of songs' true meanings, OLD me was beyond delighted to be a part of this magical, musical moment. What an opportunity to be nostalgic, and realistic, all at the same time."Nostalgia is a powerful drug.
Under its influence,
ordinary songs take on dimensions and powers,
like emotional superheroes."
- Kate Christensen
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1 comments:
Looks amazing...🙀
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