0 Devo Performs 'Are We Not Men?' at Moore Theater

October 8th, 2009 - Devo @ Moore Theater
Live Review by QuitterDan

For some reason, when I was in Junior High in the late 70’s, my brother ended up with a copy of Devo’s “Are we not Men?” LP from a friend, who I can only assume, thought it was total crap, because she never asked for it back. My curiosity was piqued from the strange drawing on the front of the man with the snappy golf hat. Having barely delved into punk rock by this point, I wasn’t sure what these guys in yellow plastic bags were going to be all about, but I gave it a spin. And another. And another. Let’s just say I knew this record inside & out in a matter of weeks. It’s quirky, disjointed pop hooked me instantly. Subjects like Mongoloids, mysterious hand gestures, car wrecks & shriveling up, were so beyond my heavy metal upbringing, but I somehow found it so incredibly listenable. I loved this record.

Fast forward to August this year, I get a text from my friend that Devo is coming & wants to know if I want to see them. I say yep, because I’d never had the pleasure of seeing them live yet. When I hear that they will be performing the entire “Are We Not Men?” LP at this show, I nearly ended up in a ditch 25 miles east of Ellensburg.

The Show opener was REGGIE WATTS, performing solo with a loop effects machine, and some pretty witty banter between tunes. Entertaining to say the least. Devo opened the show with the film that launched their career "The Truth About De-Evolution", and segued into the first album in its entirety, "Are We Not Men?” My first impression was how much older they looked! But with the incredible Josh Freese on Drums, they were rejuvenated, with plenty of Pep & left of center on-stage antics, all the while jerking back n forth to the opening track "Uncontrollable Urge". Singer Mark Mothersbaugh stumbled around, dazedly, ripping everyone's yellow jumpsuits, running through the crowd, providing robotic blank stares & changing uniforms. These were all a part of Devo's master plan, all while the first album continued in its glory. "Satisfaction", "Gut Feeling/ Slap your Mammy" & "Come Back Jonee" all set highlights.

At the conclusion of the LP, the band left the stage briefly, returning for 2 encores "Smart patrol/ Mr. DNA" & "Gates of Steel". When the house lights came up after a brisk 1 hour set, the mood was part confusing and part satisfying, but everyone got what they came to see.

Devo.