Friday, March 25, 2011

DEVO - Boston, MA 1980

I am stupid fond of Devo right now, and still aglow from seeing them live for the first time last weekend here at Club Nokia. If you've never had the pleasure, oh my GAWD is it a good time. I got everything I wanted from Mothersbaugh & Co., muscially and visually, plus a whole lot more flat-out rocking than I ever expected.

My lovely wife thinks my febrile Devo love is silly and totally out of character for me; I might agree with the latter part. But as much as they're associated with '80s new wave, the genesis of the band couldn't be more '60s: they were essentially born out of the Kent State student shootings in May 1970, during which founding member Gerald Casale dodged bullets and saw two of his friends shot dead. If that ain't heavy, maaan, what is?

Now then: for whatever reason, Beantown's historic Orpheum Theatre seems to have been a magical venue for the Ohio quintet, yielding fantastic live boots from three years running: this amazing July 1980 WBCN FM broadcast, a November 1981 show previously posted here, and a November 1982 show which I'll try to post next.

Oh, and anyone who still doubts that Devolution is real -- I mean realer than real -- should just read this.

DEVO
Orpheum Theatre - Boston, MA - July 17, 1980
(FMB @320 kbps)
DOWNLOAD

PS -- Incidentally, your everloving unearthly Chick got some big-time Mainstream Media press coverage this week. Well, not really, but do check out the new LA Weekly's Letters page, now known -- in a nod to today's exciting computer technology -- as "Comments." You see, I couldn't resist the uncontrollable urge to scold my beloved local lefty rag for its inexplicably, laughably yet depressingly fawning cover piece on the dreaded Insane Clown Posse and their idiot fans (speaking of Devolution).

So here is the printed exchange in its entirety:

"Green Alien Chick writes: 'There is some great music being made in the world, and none of it is by this ridiculous duo of fools. Why would you waste your time and ours on such moronic garbage?'

'A real ass OC juggalo' responds: 'Ummmmm, fuck you and go read about your favorite faggot ass artist bitch.'

Alien Chick's response: 'Exactly. See? Couldn't have said it better myself.'"

Can I get a "AMEN!" up in here, bitches?

11 comments:

jay said...

Amen my friend. For some inexplicable reason my son finds these clowns to be musically and artistically satsifying (his words). I claim no responsibility for this ridiculous lapse in judgement but still love my son whole heartedly.

Heli0tr0pe said...

Hey, that doesn't surprise me, considering that ICP makes music suited only for the teenage boy-brain (assuming he is a teenager). So at least your son has an excuse; for the most part the dubious music taste of teenage boys is based on the fact that they listen with their dicks -- how else to explain the popularity of hip-hop in general?

As for LA Weekly giving ICP the time of day -- no excuse there!

Thanks for visiting,
TSM

Ben Sommer said...

I work at a large financial company - there is a Mazda in the lot front row every day with a big Jugglette decal.

Heli0tr0pe said...

Lemme guess: she's the Employee of the Month?

I guess I should have posted this before, but here it is in case you missed it -- the last word on ICP:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/113213/saturday-night-live-underground-festival

"AND YOU KNOW WE GOT MIMES RUNNIN' ALL AROUND DIS BITCH!!!"

Anonymous said...

Just a little about the Orpheum Theatre in Boston... I live just south of Boston and have seen many bands there during the later 70s and early 80s including Devo, Styx, The Pretenders, 38 Special, Genesis, Cheap Trick, Rossington Collins Band, and more. It was probably the best place in the Boston area to see a band for a few reasons IMHO. The place wasn't that large, although it was large enough to attract big bands. There wasn't a bad seat in the house, great view from everywhere. The acoustics are superb - no echo sounds bouncing around or anything (unlike the old Boston Garden which was very poor in this respect). Music was crystal clear at every show. The seats were very comfortable. It was by far my favorite place to see a band.

Heli0tr0pe said...

My favorite comment in many a moon...fukkin Bahston in da house!

WIKKID cool man -- thanks and cheers!

TSM

Anonymous said...

I was at this show. Thanks much! But, alas, Track #17 "Jocko Homo" is MIA from the download.

Heli0tr0pe said...

Oh well...can't beat the price though, right?

Anonymous said...

This is true. :-)

Anonymous said...

Any chance for a re-upload?

Missouri City Pest Control said...

Lovely ppost