Devo

May 4th 1970, Kent State University - 21 year old Gerald Casale witnessed two of his friends shot dead as they protested against America's invasion of Cambodia announced four days earlier. Casale described the day years later as "the day I stopped being a hippy". He had come to the conclusion that humanity wasn't evolving, but was in fact going backwards, de-evolving. Three years later he launched the bizarre electronic pop group Devo with his new world view the catalyst for the group's work: "We grew up in a time when hippies became hip capitalists... We saw subversion as the most successful form of change" - their music and distinctive style is certainly a subversion of something. Questions pop into my head which I'm sure Casale would be eloquent on: what exactly needs to be subverted? Can it be as simple as to say that all of humanity is moving backwards? And, if that is true then where to they fit into that de-evolution? Is their subversion a step forwards? I guess they would conclude that it is - hmm.

They're formation is a fascinating one - the creative route tragedy can take someone in is fascinating - and their influence is seen in the likes of Nirvana and Lady Gaga; Casale's services have been called upon by Foo Fighters in recent years. They released eight albums between 1978 and 1990 with 'Whip It' being their biggest hit climbing to the heady heights of 14 in the American charts. This year they have re-entered the musical arena with a new album, 20 years since their last offering: Something for Everybody has finally been compiled after they invited fans to vote for the tracks that they thought worthy of inclusion, and even if you don't buy it, which I won't and you probably won't either, they are still a band worth being aware of and having a quick look at on Youtube.