Devo: Live opens with a short montage of Devo videos before plunging into a rare live performance from 1996. The lively set features 11 favorites from a Lollapalooza engagement--opening for Metallica, no less--at Irvine Me... more »adows. The former "spud boys" of the 1970s and 1980s, now spud men, are as energetic as ever and the synchronized dancing for "Satisfaction" and "Uncontrollable Urge" is a treat. Something about Devo in broad daylight seems strange, but the band doesn't let the sun--or lack of background visuals--slow them down. The focus is on the music, with occasional shots of the audience, a foray into the crowd for a "Jocko Homo" sing-along, and a costume change from jumpsuits to shorts and T-shirts (white leg alert!). Though slightly less essential than the video compilation The Complete Truth About De-Evolution, Devo: Live is a great companion piece for the dedicated Devo devotee. --Kathleen C. Fennessy« less
Actor:Devo Genres:Music Video & Concerts Sub-Genres:Pop, Rock & Roll Studio:Rhino / Wea Format:DVD - Color,Full Screen DVD Release Date: 02/24/2004 Release Year: 2004 Run Time: 1hr 15min Screens: Color,Full Screen Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 7 MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:English
"I was just a little suspect about this release, but checked it out because...well, it's Devo. Couldn't resist for that fact alone. Despite the late date of the show, 1996, I was completely overwhelmed by their energy, humor, attitude, and endurance during the entirety of the show. The whole Devo sensibility was more intact than it had been since 1982, but without all the gimmicks of their early image (not that I would ever knock it). This is Devo at about as stripped down as any band can be, and they're simply amazing. Their musicianship is astonishingly spot-on. Can't recommend it enough.
As much as I love Mark Mothersbaugh's art, I wish he'd put RUGRATS on hold and get into the studio to produce just one unadulterated Devo album, one which would balance his keyboard wizardry with the more guitar-driven work of his wonderful brother Bob and the inspired cynicism of Gerald Casale. While you can "never go back," isn't that what Devo was all about conceptually?"
Still rocking after twenty years
Craig S. Thom | Louisville, KY | 07/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 1996 performance was at Lollapalooza, which explains the excellent video and audio quality. They open with "Whip It" (probably just to keep people from yelling for it the whole time), then drop back to the old good stuff.
This is a wonderful performance. You can switch between the edited multiple camera mix, a camera in the back zoomed on Mark, and a camera moving just in front of the stage.
There is very little editing, other than the rapid cuts from camera to camera. If it takes a few minutes for Mark to adjust the Minimoog between songs, then we get to watch and wait with the audience.
If you have even a passing interest in what kind of high energy post punk stuff was happening in the late '70s, you need to pick this up. It's cheap! It's great!"
The Best 12 Bucks You'll Ever Spend.
Stanton Woods | Spanish Fork, Utah USA | 02/25/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For all you spuds out there, this is a disc to have. It is a live recording of their 1996 Lollapalooza set in California. It is great to watch. The sound and filming are superb. The set was simple, just the instruments, amps, and five guys in yellow jumpsuits. Devo performed all the 'Older Hits'. Mongoliod, Satisfaction, Uncontrollable Urge, plus a few others. I'm not sure where these guys are at now, but in '96 they could still play!
Two things perplex me. One is why the wait to release this disc? It's almost been eight years! I thought the spud boys were up on the technological scene, and this should have been released when DVDs hit the market. I guess they're wrapped up in other endeavors. The other item is that there should have been more stuff. Early footage, more interviews, etc. I guess they're saving all of that for a MEGA-DVD. One can only dream. But hey, for twelve dollars, and live DEVO, you can't beat this DVD."
MY GOODNESS ... WHAT CAN I SAY?!
D. Hull | Virginia Beach | 08/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw DEVO on their "Freedom of Choice" tour, and it is still one of the best concerts I have seen so far. This DVD is so amazing! This concert has no fancy lights or backdrops; just five guys and their equipment putting on one of the most rocking shows you will ever witness. Mark Mothersbaugh looks better than ever and sounds incredible; the rest of the guys have aged well and can still rock. Looks like they needed a young drummer to keep up with their killer performances. I am sorry to say that I am not sure what happened to Alan (the original drummer); but the new guy does a great, great job filling his shoes.
If you are a DEVO fan, you MUST own this DVD ... if you are not ... buy it, and you soon will be!"
Devo with special guest Metallica
Captain Corruption | Beech Grove, IN United States | 02/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dateline 1996 - Lallapalooza - Irvine Meadows, CaliforniaMetalheads Devolved into long haired Monkey Men - Film at 11While stylists primped Metallica's new haircuts behind stage one, 500 headbangers and half a dozen spuds were permanently warped by Devo's raging set on stage two. This years best new DVD is DEVO LIVE from Rhino Records, and I'm sure I can't do it justice with words, but I gotta try. Be like your ancestors or be different, it dosn't matter:Decades ahead of their time to begin with, the Spud Boys haven't changed their hair, fashion sense or music in 25 years. The rest of the industry has mutated to play catch up. Their trail blazing cleared the way for Techno acts like Prodigy, and Moby, and Performance artists like Blue Men Group. But, with Gerald on Bass, Bob's 1+ 2 on guitars, and Mark grabbing the mic and pounding on the synthesizers, their bass and guitar heavy set of songs from their first three major label records made it clear that Industrialists like Skinny Puppy, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, and Marilyn Manson wouldn't exist without Devo. The industrialists may have replaced Devo's morbid sense of humor with being just plain morbid, but Devo rocked just as hard.Monkey Men All, In Post Grunge Suits:Opening with their hit (you know the song) to grab the attention of the un-initiated, they then jammed through Satisfaction, Uncontrollable Urge, Mongoloid, Girl U Want, Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA and more. Midway through the set they played an inspired, pulse pounding extended version of their anthem Jocko Homo, and Mark jumped off stage into the audience letting newly enthusiastic metal heads shout the answer to Dr. Moreau's question "Are We Not Men?" By the sets closing number, Gates of Steel, grunge suited monkey men had been unwittingly devolved, screaming, waving their fists, and no doubt spoiled for the Metallibland they were going to see next.Rush out, buy the DVD, crank the bass, crank the volume, and enjoy the band David Bowie, in 1976, called the future of rock. Duty Now For the Future.We Must Repeat"