80s New Wave Pioneer Tells The REAL Story Of Devo's "DIRTY" 1981 Hit | Professor of Rock
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2021
- Jerry Casale a pioneer of 70s and 80s New Wave and a founding member of DEVO and the co singer and co-writer tells the story of the 1981 hit Whip It and it’s iconic music video and how it doesn’t mean what you think it does... To watch Jerry's new video and get a copy of his new album talked about in the video click on this link: www.geraldvcasale.com
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#80s #Rock #Story
Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 80s vinyl songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community.
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Coming up a founding father of New Wave Music tells a wonderfully compelling story of cowriting a song that exemplified the 1980s. In fact it’s become a defining catchphrase of the neon decade. He wrote it at a time when his record label was threatening to drop his band if they didn’t come up with a hit. Then when they recorded it, the label though it was too strange for release. It’s truly fascinating and the interview is next on Professor of Rock.
It’s time for another edition of our series revelations where artist and writers take us through a deep dive into their greatest songs and albums. Where you’ll get never before shared details. On this episodes of revelations We have a pioneer of new wave the great Gerry Casale from the band Devo. Gerry tells us the story behind Devo’s 1980 hit song Whip It, which has become a cultural touchstone for many reasons.
When it climbed the charts it was un like anything on radio. It definitely ushered in a new era that was more than welcome.
The iconic music video was a fixture of MTV from it’s infancy and the song is a definite catchphrase that still brings a smile to anyone’s face. Gerry tells us the entertaining story behind the up hill climb to get the song to the masses. He also tells us about his new music. It’s a can’t miss next on professor of rock. As we go into this interview I want to thank our sponsor Zenni Eyewear, the glasses you see on my face. When you got Zenni.com, you can design your own frames and then see how they look on you before buying. by using Zenni Virtual mirror feature. ITs’ very cool. Here’s Gerry
CRACK THAT WHIP! I love it. It’s one of those songs that won’t leave your head for days and I never tire of it. Leave us a comment about Devo. about this memorable ditty from 1980. What are your memories of this song and music video. Let us know in the comments Please let us know in the comments. If you dig our content, our videos make sure to subscribe below so you never miss out on our content.
Make sure to look us up on patreon for more content help us Keep the music alive my friends. Until next time. - Розваги
Poll: With Devo's Whip It in mind, what are the most memorable songs of the early 80s, where the song come on and it instantly takes you back...
"You Shook Me All Night Long." I remember sitting in the back of my Econ class during senior year, looking out into the quad and watching the cheerleaders practice their routine to it daily... Didn't learn much in that class
Rock Lobster. Crawlin' from the Wreckage. Stick to me (Graham Parker).
@@michaelborn3318 I remember clubbing back in the 90s. When Rock Lobster would come on it was fantastic to see the entire club get down and lay on the floor during the "down, down, down" section.
Anything from Journey and foreigner Frontiers and 4, respectively. Styx Paradise Theater is up there as well.
Keep up the awesome content, Professor. You have tenure on UA-cam now👍
Funkytown from Lipps, Inc.
True: 'Whip It' is Devo's only huge hit.
Also true: 'Whip It' is not even one of Devo's top 15 songs.
The rest of their catalog is amazing and criminally neglected.
Right?! I love Whip It because it opened Devo up to me. The rest is pure joy.
They had 6 songs in the top forty. Two of the six were in the top 10. Whip it and coal mine.
It's a Beautiful World 🌍 👍
So true @Swan of Nutella.
Some of my favs:
Gut feeling, Slap your mama
Mongoloid
Freedom of choice
Gates of steel
Going under
Beautiful World
So many Great Tunes aside from Whip It.
Love them! I have their first records album cover on a shirt!
I never thought "Whip It" was naughty. I figured they were telling people to confront their problems rather than escape or give up.
Exteme Christian groups started that. I was and still am a Christian who's be going to church all my life and never thought it dirty in any. Some people just read things into stuff that isn't there. The world is full of idiots.
Same
That was my take as well.
@@patrickluchycky1172 I'm a Christian and never thought that and challenged it as well. There was plenty of songs for them to go after and they did and I can understand why as well because look where we are today but society over corrects all the time.
Actually it's really brilliant that he denies the masturbation/circle jerk connection and comes up with that ridiculous "high art" concept of criticizing the self-actualization movement. It gives him some art cred and allows him to belittle those who took the content the WRONG way. When actually it WAS what we thought, and it's another joke that Devo plays on us.... :-))))
Adam, I’m glad he gave you props at the end. He is another artist that you’ve won over. These guys are used to doing interviews with people that just ‘phone it in’, but your genuine passion for music wins them over quickly. They respect the fact that you go into interviews having done your homework!
Agreed! Props for Adam well earned.
He gave him props only because he plugged his new stuff. The "Professor" doesn't know squat. I could take him any time, any day of the week. Every episode me makes at least one laughable mistake. "Don Felder's first LP as an Eagle was Hotel California" (It was his third) He said HIS FAVORITE Band The Smiths "had trouble playing How Soon is Now live at their concert with only one guitarist from 1985 until they broke up in 1988". They hired a 5th member to play second guitar FOR that reason (and others) they broke up in middle of 87 and last show was 1986, but HE said 88. These are bad gaffs.. Who was the lead singer of Roxy Music in 1972 and in 1983?. Not Bryan Ferry according to the Professor. Who was the star of Vanity 6? According to the Professor it was Apollonia...smh, It was Vanity. He reads Wiki and spews it out. The Professor is a fraud.
I am only half way through the video--and can’t wait for it. I am not surprised. Passion, love, and honesty are hard to fake.
@@davidlindsay9564 Really?! I don’t doubt he makes mistakes but I think you’ve took a few misstated facts about the Eagles and such and turned him into a total fraud as if all his videos are just him spewing a few unverified facts he got from Wikipedia. I can’t speak to all his videos as I’m not an expert on many of the artists he talks about but I get the sense he knows enough about most of the artists to get it right most of the time. Just because he might have got his facts wrong a few times, if indeed your right in this case (I haven’t checked your facts about the Eagles myself so I don’t know) that does not make him a total fraud. I somehow doubt your enough of an expert on most of the bands/artists he talks about here to verify the percentage of facts he is getting wrong overall. I don’t think this “Professor” has ever claimed to have a college degree in music history so don’t take the professor part as being earned rather then just self-applied.
@@davidlindsay9564 You just don't get it do you? You can have facts and numbers coming out your wazoo but if you don't have heart you don't have shit. Adam has heart and soul just like the Music he loves. You on the other hand sound bitter and cold. Where's your contribution?
"You ARE the Professor. And you're amazing " - Jerry Casale
All of us agree Jerry.
Wow! Thank you.
That's seriously high praise coming from Casale. You could probably stack the journalists who Devo has blown off, lied to, punked, mocked, and made fools of over the years from here to the moon. They don't suffer idiots.
YES! One of my fave interviews Prof. Rock has done!
no, we don't.
I have been obsessed with this band since 1980 (I'm currently 49). My apartment is decorated with all of DEVO's 1978 - 1984 promotional posters, framed and hanging on the walls. A lot of people question my motivation for decorating my living space in such a way. The simple answer is that I've never come across anything else, in 40+ years, that interests me as much as DEVO does.
Back in the 80s I started dating a girl that wanted to see Devo in concert. At the time I didn't pay much attention to the band and I reluctantly bought two tickets. They played at the Star Plaza Amphitheater in Indiana. I was blown away at how great the show was. Real high energy and the graphics were amazing. I became a fan that night.
pretty wild hearing somebody mentioning star plaza theater ! i seen so many concerts there !
I saw them around 2010 or so and they were still quite high powered and a blast to watch. They did so much cool stuff and now he's got new stuff.
@@SmallSpoonBrigade i dig" im going to pay you back " ! its definitely different !
@Norm Meunier Which begs the question to TJP - how did that relationship turn out?
They were a great live band then, just the five lights behind each guy, brilliant visual effect.
For me Devo belongs to the realm where Talking Heads, Kraftwerk, Max Headroom and the Tubes are.
💯
oingo boingo too
Devo was the first!!!
They are above all of them
Yes!
One of my best memories as a kid... Middle school dance and they're playing Bette Davis Eyes...and for some bizarre reason in the middle of the song the chant "Oh no... We want Devo!" starts. I'm possibly the only person in my school (very small town) who owns a Devo record. I sprint from the dance to my house (about a mile away), grab my Freedom of Choice album, and sprint back to the school so we can hear Whip It. From that day on I was one of the "popular" kids
"Bette Davis Eyes" I'm not sure about but Kim's "Voyeur" song is fantastic! Right up there with Devo.
Them conning Disney into making a teenage girl sing "I've got a snack attack and I need to munch" as a way to *avoid* innuendo has got to be one of the funniest things I've heard in ages.
It truly is! I wonder if the young lead singer got it!
Oh dear god. Bwahahwha
Disney exec also had a few others up his sleeve. From "That's Good" the lyric is, "Life's a bee without a buzz. It's going great 'til you get stung." The exec insisted it meant "Life's a B(*tch) without a buzz" meaning one must be high/buzzed to enjoy life.
Twit.
@@injuhneer That's awesome.
Pure DEVO psychology. Can’t be escaped once it’s out there…
I’m happy to see he’s the exact same guy 30+ yrs later. A lot of artists try to grow past who they were, but he’s an all-in wacky dude with a cynical sense of humour. Loved it!
You need to remember at the outset DEVO was a punk band that just happened to also use synthesizers. Their music was challenging sonically, lyrically, structurally, and visually. They were SO original, there still hasn't been anyone like them.
Hated by punks, loved by new wavers... Or Hated by new wavers and loved by punks. I'm not sure.
@@inthefade In the late 70s, Punk Rock is different from Punk. Punk Rock then meant a lot of bands with different styles like The Police, Devo, The Vapours, The Cars, Talking Heads, etc.
They were also survivors. The concept of Deevolution came out of them being first hand witnesses of the Kent State shooting.
Same with the B-52s. So original.
New Wave came from punk... it's artists inspired by punk but did not play what was traditionally thought of as punk rock themselves.
I remember going to night clubs and when Whip It came on everyone would do the Pogo. We looked ridiculous but had lots of laughs!
My friends and I were in high school in the late 1970s when we first heard Devo, and we immediately loved them. We thought "Are We Not Men? We are Devo!" was fabulous. We worked hard to deviate from the preppy/yuppie/popular/jock crowd, and Devo was right up our alley. A big thank you to Jerry Casale and the rest of Devo for the music and the memories, and thanks to you for the great interview, Professor!
Yep...i wore my DEVO-tee shirt proudly in junior high....i got made fun of......i got the last laugh!!! A Spud from Texas!!!
Indeed. Every time I see Mark Mothersbaugh's name in film/movie credits it makes me smile (same applies for Danny Elfman).
Same. I hung out in the Biology classroom at lunch with other outcasts and geeks, and we played music we'd discovered like DEVO, B-52s and the Buzzcocks. When DEVO came to town, we all went together. Classic memories...
LMAO had me choking reading. I knew a few punks at the time and yep I could hear them saying such things. Good times ! Thanks for memory
F the preppy/yuppy/jock crowd! Well said Dawn.
This song changed everything... The way people danced, the instruments that were played, and the lyrics that were written... One of the most influential songs and bands in modern music for sure
Agreed Most Definitely, so true! Thanks Professor for Devo (Whip it)!..Just a Great Band Creation! They really deserve their place in Rock History!
Definitely! And its one huge catchy track!
were they before or after the b 52's
Witnessing that change in real time... priceless!
Also, the B-52's (who arrived on the scene just a little before if you're counting)
It was so fun to dance live to this!
I was a metalhead in the '80s, so Devo was not a high-priority band for me. Over time, however, I can look back and see the talent that was and is there. This was a fantastic interview, thanks.
Huge hit in Australia. It was played every Sunday night on Countdown. Devo. Fantastic band, which still inspire bands today.
“Freedom of choice” what a concept! I wonder if that could catch on today?
You might need to listen to the entire song. This is Devo we're discussing after all.
Boomer spotted
Freedom from Choice is what you want.
I saw Devo play at the Fillmore in San Francisco in 1989. They came out, sat on bar stools on the stage and played a song or two. They then stopped and asked if anyone knew why they were sitting on stools and then responded that they just wanted to show everyone they could still sit down after the music industry had been trying to shove it up their asses for so many years. They also said that would be their last tour. That was 33 years ago and they're still going. We made our way up onto the balcony and were sitting next to where Booji Boy came out during "It's a Beautiful World" and had the chance to give him some high fives. That was a great show.
Hey Professor, I'm sure I'm not the only one. That right after your videos, I look up and listen to the band or artist you interview. Would be interesting to see how much you influence each artists viewcounts.
I bet DEVO surges on you tube, shortly after this dropped. You sir, are like an infomercial for recording artists.
Keep on, keeping the music alive.
So many interviewers only scratch the surface when interviewing artists, just looking for that quick sound bite. PoR is different, really getting into the history of a band and the reasons behind the song they write and taking the time to get to know the artist. It's great to see bands are starting to notice, and props to Jerry for pointing it out.
I was 12 or 13 when this song came out, without the video I just imagined it as a positive song where you get through your problems. It felt fun and enjoyable to listen to. It's the people with their minds in the gutter that turned it into something else.
Yeah...this is the first I ever heard of that take on it.
Same here. First time, I heard about this reference.
I loved the explanation of this song. It was more or less a cynical look at the great American view of being able to defeat anything by yourself. Just whip it. Makes me want to explore more of Devo's music. At the time I was more into hard rock and didn't pay them too much attention. Over time I have learned they were super clever and very literate. I also like that he mentioned "Payola". That is the second interviewee in your last couple of interviews that has mentioned that. Jon Anderson did too. I love that these artists are aging and not afraid to talk about the reality of how some of their songs actually became hits. I feel some of them were nervous to talk about this when they were younger. Now since the industry is so different and they are more or less on the margins, they can speak freely. Another great video Professor!
Love the "Man from UNCLE" backdrop behind Jerry during the interview. Damn I'm getting old!
I am 54 years old. When I first got money of my own I went out and bought this album, along with Bowies greatest hits, Blondie's greatest hits, Best of Black Sabbath, and a couple of other things (I think they were mix albums - solid gold hits or something). Absolutely loved this - the song, the interview, and the channel. You need to get together with Rick Beato lol. 2 of the best music curation channels on YT.
I'm 53 and started getting into music by listening to my brothers cassettes when he was out. DEVO was always the go to. The B52's and Dead Kennedys were also firm favorites.
I paid for my own vinyl copy of Freedom of Choice. I still have it.
"Whip It" had such an infectious beat to it. You can't forget it.
I can only imagine what that was like to have seen that come on MTV in the 80s.
Enjoyed this interview!
Thanks for your awesome support my friend!
It was pretty great. I also love many other DEVO tunes like Satisfaction. So unique.
It was started by 70s Experimental musicians, but just like everything else that made it into the 80s, it had a short but funny shelf life. If you put the record on now, you would probably turn it off, midway. They filled a niche 40 years ago but the thrill is probably gone.
I actually heard it first *on the radio* (in the southwestern US) in 1980. Was, obviously, unlike anything on the airwaves. The opening beat, the synths, the melody, & lyrics all hooked me, and I went back and got Duty Now For The Future and Are We Not Men, and became a Devo fan from album one.
Right on. You hear it once and it sticks.
"Swiffer doing it _is_ DEVO"
Killin' it.
IIRC, they've since acknowledged that that was a mistake. It just goes to show how poorly understood they were and are.
Devo Was on Saturday night live during their last “OC” season in 1980 and they showed the film that included I can’t get no satisfaction. It was one of the strangest appearances of the first five seasons. And I still remember to this day
Devo's cover of 'I Can't Get No Satisfaction' on SNL is the song that turned me onto New Wave!
I read an interview with Mark Mothersbaugh about the success of “Whip It” and the frustration Devo felt about the new fans that were less than genuine. They wrote the song “We’re Through Being Cool” as a retort to those people.
Discuss…
(And Alan was such a great percussionist. It’s a shame he has passed on.🙏)
I thought "Through being cool" was against racism, with its mention of KKK... Or am I hearing things?
@@user-yc5um2pl5v , I am not aware of any mention of the KKK in the lyrics. For context, look up the album “The New Traditionalists” in Wikipedia where the song “Through Being Cool” first appeared. I can’t find the interview with Mark but you will get the idea.
Devo were very serious about their art. Their name, their song titles, their fan props were all well thought out. Fan props included hazmat suits, “energy domes” (worn in Whip It), John F Kennedy plastic hair do’s, spud rings to name a few. They were well read and so was their early fan base and they didn’t suffer fools.
@@user-yc5um2pl5v You're hearing things, there is no mention of the KKK or anything remotely racist in that song.
Alan was a machine with his drumming, just brilliant.
I was in high school back in the 70's growing up just outside of Akron,Ohio. We would run into these guys from time to time in a local bowling alley. 😆 Good daze.
I am so excited to see Devo next spring at the Cruel music festival in Pasadena with Morrissey , Blondie , Bauhaus & so many legendary 80's bands !
Epic lineup for sure.
Dave, I totally hate you and I don't even know you ! 🤣🤣🤣
Oh man,. Don't forget about the Psychedelic Furs and Echo & The Bunnymen too!
Fitting that this festival is being held in Pasadena. We used to see these bands at Perkins Palace and The Ice House.
@@guerralg63 I saw New Order there in 1981 & The Cure in 1984 amongst others !
'Are we not men?...' LEGEND!
Thank you DEVO for influencing my young mind. One of the highlights of Life During Covid has been finding a copy of the live CD "Orpheum Theater Boston, 17th July 1980"... Brilliant, energizing fun. 'I've got a gut feeling, feeling...!'
I was reading Rolling Stone when Devo first made a splash, and their hatred of the band was clear. I think they perceived Devo's whole approach as a threat to their idea of good music. They were right to feel threatened.
Rolling stone isn't worth lining a bird cage with. Always missing the mark with great bands. Jaded little, talentless, jealous turds. Stopped reading it shortly after picking it up.
@@patrickluchycky1172 I totally disagree with you!.....I DID use Rolling Stone to line my bird's cage with!....it worked good!
Yes! Rolling Stone seemed to trash Devo every time I saw an article about them.
You need to remember that Rolling Stone was ruled by Jan Wenner. He also controlled the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations. That’s why it took such a long time of fan lobbying to get Rush inducted. He hated Prog and New Wave. It is somewhat ironic considering that he treated these genres the same way that folk purists of the 60s treated Bob Dylan when he plugged in his guitar.
Rolling Stone magazine was how I found new & great artists. Pretty much, if they $#!+ on a band then that's the band I'd go listen to. How a magazine can be around as long as they have and still not know a good album when they hear it is beyond me.
Starting off the week in the 80's is the best way to start. Thank you Professor.. love this song!
It's a classic. One of the slogans or catchphrases of the decade!
Just got back into DEVO from years ago. Many of their tracks stay in your head for days and days. Truly under appreciated.
What a fantastic interview, all the backstory and commentary from Jerry was such a joy to hear. Great job Professor!
Professor, it is interesting how knowledge about you is spreading through the music community and the respect you’re getting. Gerald Casale, taking time to research you, complement you, & thank you for your time says a lot about the time you take to research and be prepared before each interview. Congratulations!
I do the same thing! Brings back great memories!
Aww yiss! My fellow Ohioans, Devo! You either love this song and dance/sing along or you're wrong! Happy Monday, Professor 🙏
Crack that whip!
Absolutely Ohios' greatest contribution to the world ! Or anybody's for that.Oh no, it's Devo!
@@kevmac1230 I can't argue with that, although I would say that Lux Interior (the late, great frontman from The Cramps) is an equally great contribution from the same town of Akron, Ohio.
@@mournblade1066 wow,one is never too old to learn something new.I had no idea.
All hail Akron!
Another fantastic interview from The Professor. Also great to see that Gerald hasn't lost his edge! Another awesome job, Adam 🙏
Fantastic interview - I think it's your best yet! Well done, Professor!
You always get the most interesting interviews. Your own knowledge seems to almost all of your subjects at ease. This was so good. I saw Devo at the Tower in Philadelphia sometime in the early eighties. They gave one of the most energetic, manic, and exciting concerts I've ever seen. Their approach to music was like no one else.
just listening to their covers of 'satisfaction' and 'working in a coalmine' was enough to sway me.
That is sooo cool about the whip sound! Thanks for letting us know about it.
You bet!
Man that was way look I’m 53 that is just awesome
Love his homage to you at the end. You are THE PROFESOR! Well deserved. ❤️
Fantastic interview! Love Devo...nice to get a real, and honest interview. Love how you just let these talented people share their stories. Keep doing your thing 🤘
Saw Devo live with Talking Heads in SF. Mind blown. Great show Professor.
You are one of the best produced YT channel!! You do such a great job and I love learning all these background stories to different songs. When I was a cheerleader in the Southeast, we made a cheer with the line, "Whip it! Whip it good!" lol You know, I'm surprised that I never heard any rumors about Devo's song being about something sexual. I know at the time it never crossed my mind.
That was a great interview. I love Gerry Casale.
Wow. Great interview. And good job to the Professor for allowing Jerry to tell the story. A lot of interviewers are about themselves.
One of your best interviews and I learned things that made DEVO way ahead of their time!
Absolutely diggin' Pay you back!!! Listened to it about 10x's in a row. Great interview man!
Much appreciated! It's a good song.
My most memorable exposure to DEVO before MTV arrived was their performance on Saturday Night Live. Their version of the Stones classic "Satisfaction" blew my long young hair back so hard I could not comb it over. The memories I have of sneaking down the stairs, closing their door as stealthly and quietly as possible then parking my self inches from the screen watching what I knew was groundbreaking. Their musical guests were one of the reasons I watched SNL and if my mother didn't wake up at my laughter she would from the Rocknroll. Devo, The Talking Heads, Frank Zappa, the Grateful Dead and many other bands were first introduced to me from SNL and MTV second. Thanks for the flashbacks... PeaceOrElse
Awesome professor.!… love love love Devo. Took heat in high school… didn’t care Devo was it for me. They were so different. So happy to see Gerry keep going
Thank you, Professor! DEVO were most certainly pioneers and Casale's latest song 'I'm Gonna Pay U Back' is among his strongest yet and the vid is remarkable. Still rocking it after all these years.
Glad you are enjoying. Proof that good music is still being made!
WELL PROFESSOR... ONCE AGAIN YOU'VE TAUGHT US WELL 🎶🎶
Can never grow tired of DEVO. Great interview!
The 80's were so full of music and things that seemed like the future to me at the time! Devo was awesome! Such a great era! Thanks for keeping the music alive Professor!
"whip it" was ahead of it's time.....devo were ahead of their time n knew what the future was suppose to sound like.
So thank those 70s ground breaking bands like Devo and Kraftwerk. They got that weird,Looney, stuff going but it was brief and fun while It lasted!
I guess I was naive. I always thought the song was about overcoming problems. Thank you for clarifying and adding a bit of colorful depth to the song.
Hey Professor, I seem to always be a day or so late getting to these videos but at the same time I get to read
"volumes" of comments which are almost as fun as the video itself. You can't appreciate Devo without the joy of their satirical outlook on music. Whip It next to Peek a boo are 2 of the most silliest pop songs you could ever hear on the radio and the videos are classic time capsules of an extinct era of music/pop culture. Just as you stated grinning for days- thank you and Jerry for another amazing interview- You hit homeruns every time!
I love the fact that Gerald is keeping active bringing new music and video experiences to light. I think he’s an amazing artist. Thanks for introducing him to a younger generation. Maybe we can spur som more young bands as DEVO was in the late 70’s to the music scene.
Even though someone recently dissed me for appreciating Adam's interview style, I will say again this was a great interview and kept me engaged, even if Adam was on camera a few times.
Who dissed you?
@@ProfessorofRock A guy on the "brandy' video. But oh well. My point was then and now that I like your channel. That's all. I compared it to the Rolling Stone magazine of decades ago and what I never forgot back then was how invarianly the writers from that rag hated what I liked and put down the bands that I liked. Imagine Styx lyrics considered trite and juvenile while no matter what Bruce Springsteen did it was the best and deepest lyric ever written. That still hasn't worn well. Back then they also hated Rush no matter what even though later it became fashionable to like them. I just think your approach is superior in all ways to what RS did then.. I don;t even know if they are still around tbh.
In 7th grade, 1980 this was my 2nd introduction to the weird and fun new wave scene. ( Rock lobster was the 1st) Whip It was a song that I could not get enough of, fortunately it was on a heavy rotation at KROQ Los Angeles. I never understood the meaning of whip it. It was just a lot of fun. The other songs on that album are also huge hits in my mind.
Kraftwerk got this kind of new , herky jerky music that you could get out on the dance floor and look like you were having a seizure along with every one else!😁😄🤣. They were probably taking a shot at disco.
Hey, another KROQ listener here! Excellent station. I heard all the most interesting New Wave and punk songs on it, when I was in high school. Unfortunately, when I tried to put it on where I worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken, the boss didn't like it.
I just graduated HS in 1980. B-52s and Devo were among my top five bands at that time! Talking Heads was up there too. I still love them all today. Thanks for the love!
I love that you let the artists speak for an extended time to say what they have to say without interrupting in order to get all your questions in. A+
You will never know just how envious I am of you. You went out and created a job millions of us could have only dreamed of doing. This interview is now ranked in my Top 10 favorites that you've done. Devo was an early favorite band that myself, my brother & my sister all loved even though we all had very different musical interests but Devo was in a world all their own. And we got introduced to them before MTV was even a station. We learned of them from USA's Night Flight & the show Fridays. I kind of wish he would have given them some props for exposure.
the more time passes the more i realize and appreciate how great devo are.. they are often dismissed as a novelty band, even by admirers. but devo needs to enter the conversation when discussing who are the greatest american bands. i think they're punker than the ramones and possibly more groundbreaking than the velvets (both of which you need to get to if you havent already).
I swear every other kid that year dressed up with those hats for Halloween.
I've done it before. True 80s geeks!
They aren't hats, man. They're energy domes.
It's your complete respect for the artists that have them open up to you. Great interview!
Devo is such an underrated but amazing band! Fantastic interview... loved it.
"Whoa, is that Ross Perot?" "See folks, it's simple. When a problem comes along, you must whip it."
Hearing Whip It in 1980 was pure magic, it sent me down a road of individuality and subversiveness the rest of my life. I became an artist and anticonformist as an adult. Hearing about the musicality in this interview I think we could say DEVO was the first post modern band before the term was even used!
That was amazing. Still love that song. Great to hear all the stories.
Back in 1980 when I was in Jr. High School ( yes, they had those back then, now they are called different names.) I listened to one of my favorite local DJ's on KMBQ in Shreveport. Every night at 10 pm, he would play " Whip It ". Watching this brought back that memory and a flood of others. Especially about what everyone first thought the song was about. Thank you Professor of Rock for bringing this song on here. I am a subscriber and a fan. Thank you Jerry Casale for the insight on this song. Gonna go listen to your new album now.
Devo’s performance of Satisfaction on SNL is still groundbreaking. Gerald’s performance in particular still blows me away.
Professor, great interview. It brings back such memories. In 1978, I was at the Rialto in Pasadena CA (a wonderful old movie theatre from the golden age of Hollywood with a gothic feel) seeing a midnight showing of Rocky Horror. They were blasting music that I had never heard before and the whole place (1200 seats) were going crazy all dressed up as their favorite Rocky character or just punked out. The old balcony was actually moving from people dancing. Turned out it was Devo, and their first record was just released. Everybody just loved it, what an introduction.
This was a really pleasant interview covering several decades of rock history with a man so down to Earth and humble about his creation of Whip It and sharing it commercially. Not a pompous rocker full of him-herself. Nice!
I never worried about the lyrics meant. For me and my friends, 'Whip It' and other other Devo songs were just silly fun (in a good way).
Same here, wasn't looking for deep meaning just fun🎤🎸🎶
Its silly fun but its silly fun with a very deep biting satirical edge, thats the beauty of devo
Devo is innovative and way ahead of their time with their concept and image they are one of the pioneers of music video
Something for Everybody was so good, so perfectly devo, and after so many years to come back and not only not suck but to totally slay was effing amazing
Great interview! I've noticed that a lot of your recent videos contained interviews that you must have conducted some years ago, so it's nice to see an interview that couldn't be anything but brand new! And what a great nod Gerald gave you at the end!
in collage 1n 1982 some friends and i were waiting with a couple hundred other students in a lobby to go into the auditorium to take a test. I think it was Ned that started voicing the base line of "workin in a coal mine" someone else picked up with the "chech" and i did the bell then Dave started belting out the song and bill harmonized at the appropriate times. all unrehearsed and unplanned, when were done everyone clapped and cheered .
"Dare To Be Stupid" by Weird Al Yankovic was partially inspired by Devo.
Um, what was the other part? It was a Devo style parody.
@@fergieinva Weird Al sometimes does style parodies where he imitates a specific artist or group-In this case,he was paying an homage of sorts to Devo.
@@scottburton9701 I know. You said partly inspired. To my recollection it was completely inspired by Devo.
@@scottburton9701 Devo's lead singer is even quoted as saying "I was in shock. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. He sort of re-sculpted that song into something else and... I hate him for it, basically." He also apparently wrote Weird Al a letter congratulating him for writing and performing "The perfect Devo song"
What a cool interview!
50 years of De-volution!
1973-2023 ❤
thank you for setting the record straight on one of my favorite song from Devo. love the group and that weird and catchy sound.
As a kid in the 80s I never really liked DEVO, not my kind of music, but I just found myself completely entertained for the last 30 minutes listening to these incredible stories. Thank you for letting the artists speak and complete their thoughts without constantly interrupting. Great video!
I insist that "Uncontrollable Urge" is one of the greatest skate songs written.
💯 % for sure.🛹
Amen.
I think it was in a Jackass stunt, it was definitely something off the 1st 2 albums
What are terrific guest he was! I love people who tell good stories and don’t mince words. “You ARE The Professor.” 🙂
Wow that is some high praise coming from Gerry Casale! You really are the Professor of Rock! Devo and Gerald Casale are geniuses! I was so glad to see you feature Devo! Absolutely outstanding! Thank You Prof! Peace ☮️✌️👽🤘☮️
When I was in high school in the early 1980's (boarding school, actually) I had a friend who decided he wanted to see what it was like to stay awake as long as he could. He had several tactics to achieve this but the one most appropriate here is that he would play a cassette of Devo songs continuously. His tape deck was one of those that would rotate the head and reverse the winding direction so it could play both sides of a cassette without flipping it. So he put the tape in and pressed play and it just kept playing for days and days. At night after lights-out we'd sneak down to his room to keep him company, playing card games, telling stories, smoking cigarettes, and listening to Devo. I think he made it four or five days before he finally passed out. Even now, whenever I listen to Devo I'm transported back to that dorm, laying in bed, hearing Devo softly echoing down the hallway. Thinking, is that guy freaking nuts or what? By the end everyone else on that floor either loved Devo or hated them. Me? I've been a fan ever since.
If you like them or not you have to recognize they were a groundbreaking band. Whip it was Punk and New Wave mesh vibe.
For sure. Thanks for watching.
I appreciate the conversation with Jerry.
What a great compliment to you at the end. You deserve it, Professor.
I recall how when first hearing *Whip It* it's initial appeal was more of a novelty of peculiarity to me than of what I would consider "genuine music". However, over time it's appeal for me began to grow to the point that it is now a very iconic song...synonymous with the 80s.
Following that, the next time that Devo really stood out for me and grabbed my attention was when their music appeared in the 1981 movie, *Heavy Metal.* Of the two songs to be featured in the film, I always felt that *Working In A Coal Mine* had the better hook to it. However, the amazing, animated, sci-fi, futuristic version of them playing the song, *Through Being Cool* in the bar during the final story sequence known as *Taarnak* had the advantage of the combination of the song and the amazing, visual representation of the band, which for me gave it a greater memorable impact.
The thing is, "Working in a Coal Mine" is a cover, not a DEVO original. Still, a great cover though.
@@mournblade1066
I was not aware (I was never an _actual fan_ of Devo...Judas Priest, The Who, Pink Floyd and Alan Parsons Project was more my thing).
So who wrote Working In A Coal Mine?
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_in_the_Coal_Mine
@@timharper3390
Thanks. I just checked it out on Spotify...Devo did not really change it all that much, did they.
Professor Adam,
In the earliest days of MTV, there was a video that played often. I have no recollection of the band or song, but if ANYONE can figure it out, YOU can.
The part I remember most clearly: A man on a dock wielding a sword and, I think, takes his adversary' head. The 'vision' in which it was filmed/portrayed was a misty, dreamlike sort of atmospheric state.
Not much to go on, clearly, but my 1980/81 memories are sort of misty and dreamlike too.
If you, or any of your music-loving subscribers can answer, it will mitigate the aneurysm currently developing in my brain.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
ETA: Sepia seems to be the dominant tone.
Sounds like Highlander, but that was ‘86
@@michaelpporter Great film, but this was a music video. I believe it may have neen a UK band, but not exactly sure.
It impacted me as being pretty unique among anything else on MTV at that time. Ugh! 😁
Don't Pay the Ferryman by Chris de Burgh.
@@aprilmayem9820 Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!! Thank you!
ua-cam.com/video/8kNwvIEQsg0/v-deo.html
Alas, you are refering to the 1982 Split Enz song, "Dirty Creature". The severed head scene is indeed horrifying and unforgetable. Regretfully, the "Official" version, ua-cam.com/video/86PYIkX33PI/v-deo.html, has the severed head portion edited out at 02:35. Pity, like John Carpenter's "The Thing", that scene fried so many brain cells!
Beautiful World- My favorite Devo song.
Wow!!! What high praise from him. Great job Professor!!!! Congratulations!
In a land of imitators, Devo was the original innovators !!!
Devo is the best, they tried to warn us to keep our intelligence and sanity and think for ourselves....we didn't listen
still I love their stuff, more brilliant than the so called authorities give em credit for.....at least we here can recognize their awesome
ok, never was a huge devo fan, casual fan at best... BUT... the professor brings such a passion to every type of music, its just contagious... u cant help but be pulled in & captivated by his interviews... & who amongst us didnt jam to this song back in the day... & as always professor, we appriciate all that u do, & thank u!
This is one of those songs that kicked the wide open to my love of new wave. Hearing this song was a turning point for me!
Tiny Tim, Talking Heads and Devo are gods of Rock.