Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d43gKl9xIME

Poll Results

OptionVotes
8. Gut Feeling / Slap Your Mammy - 20:10 19
5. Mongoloid - 10:51 16
6. Jocko Homo - 14:35 9
1. Uncontrollable Urge - 0:00 5
4. Space Junk - 8:37 5
2. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - 3:09 4
3. Praying Hands - 5:49 3
9. Come Back Jonee - 25:07 2
10. Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin') - 28:54 2
11. Shrivel-Up - 31:33 1
7. Too Much Paranoias - 18:14 0


nostormo, Thursday, 4 April 2013 15:47 (twelve years ago)

Ooooh, this is a tough one

frogbs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 15:47 (twelve years ago)

"Jocko Homo" is all-time for me

relentless technosexuality (DJP), Thursday, 4 April 2013 15:49 (twelve years ago)

ive got an uncontrollable urge to vote for Sloppy

nostormo, Thursday, 4 April 2013 15:50 (twelve years ago)

I'm torn between "Uncontrollable Urge" and "Gut Feeling" but think I'm going to go for the latter because it rocks so much harder than anything Devo ever did and has such a cool ending. "Urge" is just such a perfect New Wave power pop gem though. God damn this album is great.

frogbs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 15:53 (twelve years ago)

go with your gut feeling

nostormo, Thursday, 4 April 2013 15:53 (twelve years ago)

i think i prefer be stiff version of sloppy. could easily vote for any one of these except praying hands, too much paranoia and the closer. always get chuckles from the lyrics in space junk

making plans for nyquil (outdoor_miner), Thursday, 4 April 2013 16:18 (twelve years ago)

Sloppy.

Johnny Fever, Thursday, 4 April 2013 16:20 (twelve years ago)

Gut Feeling with Sloppy right beside it. But Gut Feeling gets the vote.

EZ Snappin, Thursday, 4 April 2013 16:20 (twelve years ago)

Texaaas
Kansaaas

Voted for Jocko, but it's gonna get enough votes - should have gone with my other near fav Praying Hands since it might not get any love.

Vinnie, Thursday, 4 April 2013 16:43 (twelve years ago)

Tough but "Sloppy"

Step not on a loose unforgiving stone on a pyramid to paradise (Tom D.), Thursday, 4 April 2013 16:45 (twelve years ago)

Gut/Slap

Debbie Harry doing "Come Back Jonee" on SNL in 1981 was pretty cool.

The Complete Afterbirth of the Cool (WilliamC), Thursday, 4 April 2013 16:45 (twelve years ago)

"Jocko Homo" just because of that time that they trolled a Sun Ra audience with it.

Jerry Casale describes the event in his liner notes for DEVO LIVE-The Mongoloid Years: "Full fledged aliens without a clue. DEVO is hired as a practical joke to open for Sun Ra at WHK FM's annual Halloween bash. The used-to-be famous, now infamous, radio personality, Murray The K displays a thinly veiled contempt as he introduces us to the invitation only crowd. Dressed as witches, gangsters, and hunchbacks, and high on nitrous oxide (provided by the station), hash and liquor, they are eagerly awaiting a slick cover band who can deliver precise, immaculate, renditions of Bad Company hits. Instead, they are subjected to DEVO. Appearing as four theatrical characters (Booji Boy: Mark Mothersbaugh; Clown: Bob Mothersbaugh; Jungle Jim: Jim Mothersbaugh; and Chinaman: Gerald V. Casale) and using homemade electronic drums, a mini-moog, a clavinet, a customised lobotomized Hagstrom guitar, and bass, we proceed to torture stoned urban hippies with "performance art" way before that label even existed. Playing "Jocko Homo" here for the first time, we incite members of the hideously costumed audience to invade the stage. They threaten to 'beat the shit out of you assholes.' We, of course, decide it is our duty to keep going. By the time Sun Ra opens his set with '25 Years To The 21st Century,' DEVO has managed to clear the entire auditorium. Only the band and a half-dozen friends from Akron are there to hear Sun Ra's incredible performance."

(Note: The "Murray the K" Casale refers to there is actually legendary WMMS DJ Murray Saul, famous for his Friday afternoon "Get Down!" rants.)

ARE YOU HIRING A NANNY OR A SHAMAN (Phil D.), Thursday, 4 April 2013 17:08 (twelve years ago)

How weird it must have been for that crowd to see those dudes become big MTV stars five years later!

frogbs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 17:51 (twelve years ago)

Советский спутник!!!

"Space Junk"

Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Thursday, 4 April 2013 17:53 (twelve years ago)

Original single version of "Jocko Homo" changed my life, so that.

Basil Ironweed (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 4 April 2013 17:54 (twelve years ago)

Oh good lord, this is a Sophie's Choice if ever was there one. I have to go with "Jocko Homo," with STRENUOUS apologies to "Uncontrollable Urge" (which my kids love) and "Praying Hands"....and "Mongoloid"....and "Gut Feeling"....and...

Alex in NYC, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:17 (twelve years ago)

weird.

i thought we had done this one before !?!

impossible to answer.

hang on : hello alex !!

mark e, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:37 (twelve years ago)

oh, and yesterday they announced that the hardcore devo albums are getting the reissue treatment having been out of print for years.

personally, i've never heard the pre debut material ...

kinda scared to do so, as i love the production detail on 'q:are we .. ', and a bunch of lo-fi scratchy recordings by my heroes does not appeal all that much.

or am i a misguided fool and need to pick up the reissue as soon as ?

mark e, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:41 (twelve years ago)

I even found a "Hardcore Devo 3" and "Hardcore Devo 4" on Soulseek but man are they rough

Those first two volumes are essential and it's a real shame that they've been OOP for so long

frogbs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:44 (twelve years ago)

"weird.

i thought we had done this one before !?!"

i searched under every rock

nostormo, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:47 (twelve years ago)

its only vol 1 and 2 getting the reissue treatment ..

xpost : no worries nostormo .. i aint complaining :-)

mark e, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:48 (twelve years ago)

mark e, you've never even heard "Mechanical Man?" Not all of the early stuff is deathless classic, and there's a lot I haven't heard, but it's mostly pretty interesting and fun. Certainly lacks Eno's production polish, true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eChq9mTnZFU

Basil Ironweed (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:52 (twelve years ago)

The Hardcores are essential imho. Some of their best stuff. Beyond the officially released ones there is a huge amount of other quality unreleased stuff from that era. I assume the Hardcore 3 and 4 are bootlegs/fan-made things made from the other material that the band has made available semi-legally over the years, mostly via the "Boogie Boy's Basement" website. Lots of great later stuff too, such as the CDs that came out on Rhino Handmade.

everything, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:53 (twelve years ago)

I don't think Eno's production is particularly auspicious BTW. The six songs that were previously recorded and released on their early singles are all better than the Eno-produced versions. The strength of the album is in the great songs and the performances.

everything, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:55 (twelve years ago)

...and of course the image of the band, cover etc.

everything, Thursday, 4 April 2013 19:57 (twelve years ago)

no not heard 'mechanical man' prior to a few minutes ago ..
and to be perfectly honest, i aint convinced i need to again really.
different strokes ..

mark e, Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:02 (twelve years ago)

How about this - this is more representative of their sound 1973-1976ish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyHnwnpum4o&noredirect=1

everything, Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:07 (twelve years ago)

now that i like !

mark e, Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:12 (twelve years ago)

awesome stuff!

Devo meets Pere Ubu sort of

nostormo, Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:16 (twelve years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs9_tcGmxzc

I love Goo Goo Itch

Just noise and screaming and no musical value at all. (Colonel Poo), Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:20 (twelve years ago)

Wham-o

Trip Maker, Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:23 (twelve years ago)

I assume the Hardcore 3 and 4 are bootlegs/fan-made things made from the other material that the band has made available semi-legally over the years, mostly via the "Boogie Boy's Basement" website.

I have no idea - they're certainly not official, but whoever put it together used sources that I hadn't heard on any other collection of rare early material (of the 2 or 3 you can find floating around). I assume he/she has an in with someone close to the band? I dunno. I'm sure there's only like 50 people who have it and IMO it's not really interesting as anything more than a curiosity. But man, early Devo was one weird, weird group. Like a catchier version of the Residents, they were.

frogbs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 20:29 (twelve years ago)

This is too hard. My instinct is to go with Jocko Homo but I need to play it through before voting. Looking at the tracklist I could go for almost anything apart from Satisfaction.

Am I on my own in loving the second album just a little bit more?

Kitchen Person, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:24 (twelve years ago)

Oh yes, 2nd album is boss. There's an album with superb production.

everything, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:31 (twelve years ago)

Uncontrollable Urge or Homo.

Did they ever surpass this album? Please edify me. I was not a huge fan but have loved this for , that long

Jessie Fer Ark (Mobbed Up Ping Pong Psychos), Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:32 (twelve years ago)

Apologies..too late agin. I'm gonna source the second

Jessie Fer Ark (Mobbed Up Ping Pong Psychos), Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:33 (twelve years ago)

I prefer the first to any of the others, but they're all worth hearing. Even Total Devo and Smooth Noodle Maps.

Johnny Fever, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:35 (twelve years ago)

The first two albums are both 10/10 for me but the second one just has the edge, it's such a strange album (even for them) but the songs really get in my head. Smart Patrol/Mr DNA is my favourite song of theirs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UKtZwWLMp8

I must have watched this clip a hundred times.

Kitchen Person, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:37 (twelve years ago)

I prefer the first to any of the others, but they're all worth hearing. Even Total Devo and Smooth Noodle Maps.

― Johnny Fever

I think you're the first person I've seen say anything positive about those albums. I stopped at Oh No It's Devo which is really great.

Kitchen Person, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:39 (twelve years ago)

second album needs a remaster.

after hearing the debut given a makeover, the second sounds weak.

when i was ih chicago a couple of years ago i sourced the expanded remasters of q:are we not men.., and new traditionalists, and they sound fantastic in comparison to the cheap and cheerful uk available virgin cd issues ..

mark e, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:42 (twelve years ago)

For me it's Q: Are We Not Men > Freedom of Choice > Duty Now but all three are great and "Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA" is probably the best thing they ever did. Disagree with Johnny on the later albums - some good tracks here and there but after Oh, No they really really lost their way and seemed to not really even want to be a band anymore. New Traditionalists is where the slide really starts but I think that album has enough great songs to power through it.

frogbs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:42 (twelve years ago)

oh wow, I didn't even know New Traditionalists had a remaster. the original mix is pretty flat.

frogbs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:43 (twelve years ago)

exactly ..
they all are ...
hence why the remasters are sooo much better.
us based releases only.

mark e, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:43 (twelve years ago)

I think you're the first person I've seen say anything positive about those albums.

Well, they're certainly not documents of the band at their creative best, but they aren't abominations either.

Johnny Fever, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:45 (twelve years ago)

Listening through the album now, the production on Too Much Paranoias is just so amazing, that going into Gut Feeling is my favourite bit on the album.

Kitchen Person, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:47 (twelve years ago)

I always thought Shout! got kind of unfairly destroyed because it's just a stupid fun digital synth album and the catchiness is mostly still there. Total Devo and Smooth Noodle Maps both struck me as being really terrible though there were some songs I liked on the latter. It's been years since I listened to either though. Only thing I liked on Total Devo was "Happy Guy" which totally lifts Numan's "Bombers"!

frogbs, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:48 (twelve years ago)

The first two albums are both 10/10 for me but the second one just has the edge, it's such a strange album (even for them) but the songs really get in my head. Smart Patrol/Mr DNA is my favourite song of theirs.

I have a hard time separating the first 2 albums, and whenever I'm in the mood to listen to them, I block out enough time to listen to both.

The Complete Afterbirth of the Cool (WilliamC), Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:48 (twelve years ago)

I mentioned this on the album poll thread but just in case anyone has an incredible memory or even better somehow can find the issue, I remember reading a feature story on Devo in a kiddie scholastic magazine, sometime around 1978-79. Possibly National Scholastic, but not sure. I just think it's funny that it got through the editors probably because of their funny hats, given the very *adult* themes in some of their lyrics!

Fastnbulbous, Thursday, 4 April 2013 21:54 (twelve years ago)

but wasn't that always the point re devo ?

their cartoonish overtones vs their adult f*cked'upness ..

hence why they are one of the few bands you can fall for hard when a young'un and still appreciate as you enter your more mature years ..

or is that just a heavy dose of transference on my side ?

mark e, Thursday, 4 April 2013 22:01 (twelve years ago)

Something for Everybody is definitely pretty good but a couple things annoy me about it - one is that a few of the songs are really awful (I'm thinking of "Cameo" here), and two, really, really loud production that makes it a tough listen. But there are some really neat songs there. "No Place Like Home" is really unlike anything else they did.

frogbs, Friday, 5 April 2013 02:13 (twelve years ago)

Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy

ben kvelertak (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 5 April 2013 05:37 (twelve years ago)

gut feeling all the way

puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Friday, 5 April 2013 05:46 (twelve years ago)

they're still good live

puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Friday, 5 April 2013 05:46 (twelve years ago)

devo and gang of four, old ppl who will not make you sad if you see them live

puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Friday, 5 April 2013 05:47 (twelve years ago)

Listened to this on the walk to work, going to have to go with 'Uncontrollable Urge', flawless opener.

Gavin, Leeds, Friday, 5 April 2013 08:35 (twelve years ago)

Uncontrollable POLL: Best Track on Q: Are We Not Men?

billstevejim, Monday, 8 April 2013 18:23 (twelve years ago)

man i KNEW we had done this, pretty sure i voted 'gut feeling/slap yr mammy' last time so voting 'uncontrollable urge' this time

balls, Monday, 8 April 2013 18:53 (twelve years ago)

all those posts wasted for nothing..

nostormo, Monday, 8 April 2013 18:58 (twelve years ago)

I wish it were possible to add keywords to threads to make searches more productive.

The Complete Afterbirth of the Cool (WilliamC), Monday, 8 April 2013 18:59 (twelve years ago)

I think I voted for Gut Feeling as well, thinkin about Prayin Hands or the Satisfaction cover

que sera sriracha (Drugs A. Money), Monday, 8 April 2013 19:00 (twelve years ago)

a little surprised by the lack of "space junk" chatter on here

original bgm, Monday, 8 April 2013 21:28 (twelve years ago)

outside of Shrivel Up and maybe Too Much Paranoias I think every song here is pretty defensible

frogbs, Monday, 8 April 2013 22:00 (twelve years ago)

as a choice for this poll, that is. every song is good but so many of them are really good

frogbs, Monday, 8 April 2013 22:00 (twelve years ago)

yeah, I get that. but "space junk" rules.

original bgm, Monday, 8 April 2013 22:24 (twelve years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Wednesday, 10 April 2013 00:01 (twelve years ago)

"Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy" for me. SO glad to hear that the Hardcore Devos are being reissued - and by the same label that's doing the MX-80 reissue program! I LOVE THE MIDWEST!!

Sir Lord Baltimora (Myonga Vön Bontee), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 00:52 (twelve years ago)

everything bonty just said, down to the second exclamation point.

wish there was a 20:10 gut feeling out there somewhere...

I have many lovely lacy nightgowns (contenderizer), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 02:11 (twelve years ago)

Ha yeah

que sera sriracha (Drugs A. Money), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 05:13 (twelve years ago)

Hey does anyone know where to get the tracks they did with Neil Young from the Human Highway soundtrack? Used to have those and can't seem to find them anymore.

we browse anonymo (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 09:36 (twelve years ago)

'Mongoloid'

The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 11:44 (twelve years ago)

I love this, but Jocko Homo has to be the one.

pssstttt, Hey you (dog latin), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 11:45 (twelve years ago)

Oh man, it's got to be 'Space Junk' really. Such a joyful bounding sprint of a song. Subject matter set against that totally not-arsed delivery and the call-response backing vocals... oh boy. Totally exhilarating song.

Windsor Davies, Wednesday, 10 April 2013 13:42 (twelve years ago)

xxxpost re Human Highway, it's just two songs: "It Takes a Worried Man" which was on a 7 inch and comped a couple of times such as on the Pioneers Who Got Scalped comp and the "We're All Devo" video comp; and "Hey Hey My My" which has never been released except on but you can get it from bootlegs available from Booji Boys Basement. But hey, good old youtube.

everything, Wednesday, 10 April 2013 17:32 (twelve years ago)

This album is so top-to-bottom brilliant that I went with what I think summarizes its greatness: Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy. (And does ILX like/not like Shrivel Up?)

"Poot yawl hans together" patter. -- Steve Apple, RS (weatheringdaleson), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 19:01 (twelve years ago)

i was wondering why nobody's mentioned Jonee itt. voted for it on account of how it was used in the movie rock'n'roll high school.
but yes, shrivel is kinda tucked away there and is a groover

making plans for nyquil (outdoor_miner), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 19:07 (twelve years ago)

Late vote for Gut Feeling.

More Songs About Buildings and Fuiud (Mr Andy M), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 20:19 (twelve years ago)

(Although now feeling sorry for Praying Hands which is another of the great ones that I tend to overlook).

More Songs About Buildings and Fuiud (Mr Andy M), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 20:20 (twelve years ago)

mongoloid

Bobby McFerrin, Quantum Physicist (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 10 April 2013 20:22 (twelve years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Thursday, 11 April 2013 00:01 (twelve years ago)

I voted for "Space Junk," but that was one of a half dozen possible choices. I remember first hearing this album in 7th grade or thereabouts and being just blown away by it.

誤訳侮辱, Thursday, 11 April 2013 00:37 (twelve years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYwL3SmcnB4

city worker, Thursday, 11 April 2013 02:31 (twelve years ago)

Missed it but I'd have voted Mongoloid. My first ever band did a cover of it when I was 13 or 14. I'm sure it was awful.

Oblique Strategies, Thursday, 11 April 2013 02:36 (twelve years ago)

Stoked that Satisfaction got some votes this time. Its weird how all time covers get short shrift in these (see also: Killing Me Softly in the Fugees poll)

que sera sriracha (Drugs A. Money), Thursday, 11 April 2013 05:16 (twelve years ago)

I could have easily voted for 'Satisfaction', but man, all the originals on this album are just so strong.

The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Thursday, 11 April 2013 11:21 (twelve years ago)

I know but Satisfaction is practically an original itself

que sera sriracha (Drugs A. Money), Thursday, 11 April 2013 15:54 (twelve years ago)

i voted for "Space Junk," and then felt right about that choice later that day when i saw the phrase in the U.S. Space and Rocket Center

some dude, Thursday, 11 April 2013 21:55 (twelve years ago)

I know but Satisfaction is practically an original itself

Seconded - and it's the song that keeps me coming back to this album. When I do I remember how great it is overall, but the other songs don't stick with me like this one does.

wronger than 100 geir posts (MacDara), Friday, 12 April 2013 07:58 (twelve years ago)

for me the archetypal Space Junk will always be an exhortation breathed by Fred Schneider during Channel Z

que sera sriracha (Drugs A. Money), Friday, 12 April 2013 08:04 (twelve years ago)

one year passes...

There's something about the guitar line, the vocal delivery and the chord progression in 'Shrivel Up' which sounds to me like a very obvious influence on The Pixies.

Welcome To (Turrican), Wednesday, 17 December 2014 18:38 (ten years ago)

True

Root It Oot (Tom D.), Wednesday, 17 December 2014 21:46 (ten years ago)

three years pass...

40 years old today.

Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Tuesday, 28 August 2018 05:06 (six years ago)

...and still great. I know their early "Hardcore" material has its fans but I prefer the versions on this album.

Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 28 August 2018 15:13 (six years ago)

five months pass...

Checked a few Devo threads including two for this album and the unconpollable urge and couldn't see this posted.

The story behind the (US) cover image. Interviews with Jerry, Mark and other players. Also added Langley School Project.

https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/devolutionary-design/

*there's (Noel Emits), Friday, 1 February 2019 19:15 (six years ago)

Chi Chi Rodriguez is one of the most famous golfers in history.

Er, I don't think so, I'd never heard of him - he only played in one Open Championship in 18 years, that probably explains it.

Wee boats wobble but they don't fall down (Tom D.), Friday, 1 February 2019 19:22 (six years ago)

explains why the face looks so "off" - though I would disagree with the "hideous" descriptor, I think the altered photo looks better!

frogbs, Friday, 1 February 2019 19:27 (six years ago)

Any excuse: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7WmTsLO-hUI

a large tuna called “Justice” (C. Grisso/McCain), Friday, 1 February 2019 19:50 (six years ago)

this has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but this is an amazing photo

https://i.imgur.com/7Ws29C0.jpg

frogbs, Friday, 1 February 2019 20:58 (six years ago)

two years pass...

http://ireallylovemusic.co.uk/blog/?p=2134

still the best live album i have.

mark e, Saturday, 27 March 2021 22:48 (four years ago)

That was actually the first Devo album I bought!

Gerald McBoing-Boing, Sunday, 28 March 2021 02:45 (four years ago)


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.