Devo prove they're still whacky 37 years on

Q. Are We Not Men, A. No We Are DYSP

Devo trail-blazed electro music in the 1980s, producing music that messed with the minds of ordinary rock lovers. Firmly in music’s hall of fame, the band are back to perform seminal album Q Are We Not Men, A No We Are Devo at Kentish Town Forum in London in its entirety on May 6.

Always controversial, the band’s driving force Gerry Casale talks, albeit briefly, to DYSP about all things Devolved.

1.What can we expect from the new album? Newness!

2.Is there a title/release date? Time release capsules converging in October. Regardless of the final title it will be "Fresh!"

3.Have you collaborated with anyone? Are you aware that collaboration with the enemy is a crime? I confess. I have collaborated with Adam Freeland on his new CD release, "Cope".

4. Why perform Q Are We Not Men, in its entirety? Because we do what we are asked to do. It's a fantastically absurd idea - a one-off museum piece that will mess with our devolved minds.

5. Will there be any UK festival appearance? Yes. TBD

6.Have you heard the Does It Offend You Yeah? cover of Whip It? If so, what do you think of it? I hope they help us make some money.

7. You were championed by David Bowie and Iggy Pop before signing a record deal, are you fans? Are you still in touch? Of course, we are fans to the end. Let this answer be a "reach out" to ask how we can stay in touch.

8. Will you be working with Brian Eno again? Will he ever agree to work with us again now that he is a super star producer?

9. Do you still embrace the Church of the Subgenius [religious group satirizing religion, conspiracy theories, UFOs and popular culture]? Hail Bob!

10. When you formed, the band was controversial, is this intentional? Did it make your career difficult? We did what we did because we had to do what we do. Controversy is the result of telling the truth.

11. Do you regret Slaughterhouse Rock [Devo provided tracks for the flop horror movie with Toni Basil]? No one saw it, so there was little regret.

12. Devo has always been active, how do keep fit and performances fresh? We practice what we preach, "Duty Now for the Future". We owe it to the audience to live up to their expectations.

13. How have audiences changed since first release? De-evolution is real! Audiences today are the embodiment of the demise of Western Man.

14. Where do you get your inspiration from? The absolutely stupid filth we are inundated with on a daily basis.

15. Any plans to work with Disney again [Devo made Devo 2.0 with Disney where children rerecorded Devo songs]? You only work with the Taliban once.

16. Do you eat in McDonalds [McDonalds placed a gagging order on the band after they complained about Happy Meals ripping off the bands trademark look by copying the Energy Dome hat]? Happy Meals all around! No. McDonald's is eating the world.

17. What bands do you rate? Ting Tings, LCD Sound System, the Kills, MSTRKRFT, Knife to name a few.

18. Is Obama a Devo fan [Devo performed a homecoming gig at Akron Civic Theatre to promote Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama last year]? Judging from his fey jump shots, I doubt it.

19. Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party? Since it's a fantasy I'd invite Osama Bin Laden, Octomom, Charles Manson, The Fabulous Miss Wendy, Kim Jung Il, Queeny and Dick Cheney. They would all have to strip and do each other before dinner.

20. What would you put in Room 101? The Jonas Brothers.

21. You’ve always had a strong political message, is that important in music and to Devo? Everything has political implications whether you admit it or not. I admit it. Devo admits it.

22. Lots of legendary bands have recently made comebacks, what promoted the Devo comeback? It's now or never, our "love" can't wait.

First published 14.04.2009