Thursday, May 20, 2010

DEVO reveal results of first-ever song study focus group

For fellow fans of DEVO, I wanted to share the good news that many of the excellent new tracks the legendary band has been performing in concert are set to be included in an upcoming release. I saw the band perform "Fresh" and other new stuff at Coachella last month and I can't wait!

12 Tracks selected for band's June 15, 2010 album 'Something for Everbody,' by fans and critics

Catch DEVO performing live on the "Late Show With David Letterman," "The Colbert Report" and "Live With Regis & Kelly" the week of June 14


Burbank, CA –At last, DEVO have announced the results of their first-ever online Song Study, which has determined which 12 songs are included on their upcoming album Something For Everybody, due from Warner Bros. Records on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.

In a bold maneuver, never before attempted by any band, DEVO invited fans and members of the music media to take part in the album’s final song selections process by casting their vote for their favorite 12 of 16 recorded tracks that would ultimately comprise SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY. The results of the Song Study, in order of votes, were announced via a May 18th online press conference with band members Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale. They are as follows: "Something For Everybody," in order of fan votes: "Watch Us Work It, " "Fresh, " "Sumthin'," "Don't Shoot, (I'm A Man)," "Step Up," "Signal Ready," "What We Do," "Please Baby Please," "Let's Get To It," "Mind Games," "Later is Now," and "Human Rocket." Watch the online press conference, announcing the results of the online Song Study here: http://www.ustream.tv/DEVO.

Though the songs recorded for Something for Everybody are built on DEVO’s signature mechanized swing, the recording and presentation of the album saw the band experimenting with an entirely new approach. Greg Scholl was brought in to serve as COO for Devo, Inc., and — working with the advertising agency Mother LA — conducted a series of studies through the band’s official site, http://www.clubdevo.com, to help the band with its creative decisions, from color selection to song mixes. To illustrate this fact, fans and music critics were invited to listen to snippets of 16 songs and vote on which 12 should make the final cut for Something for Everybody.

"We decided to actively seek comment and criticism from outside people and use that as a tool, rather than shunning or ignoring it," says Gerald Casale. "Our experiences participating in secondary creativity — things like corporate consensus building, focus groups — make you appreciate the connection that an artist has to society."

The long-rumored, wildly-anticipated album (which was launched with a pair memorable performances in Vancouver at the Winter Olympics and also at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival in Indio, CA.) features the band's classic line-up—Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, Gerald and Bob Casale—joined by drummer Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Guns n' Roses, Weezer). Produced by Greg Kurstin (The Bird & The Bee), the album also includes contributions from John Hill and Santi White (better known as hip-hop star Santigold), John King of the Dust Brothers, and the Teddybears.

DEVO will be making several high-profile television appearances the week that Something for Everybody is released. They will perform on The Late Show With David Letterman on June 15th, The Colbert Report on June 16th, and Regis & Kelly on June 18th.

DEVO will also kick off their summer tour with a performance at the 2010 KROQ Weenie Roast on Saturday, June 5, in Irvine, CA. Confirmed DEVO tour dates are as follows:

Sat June 5 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Irvine, CA
Sat June 19 The Crown Theatre Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
Sat July 3 Zoo Amphitheater Minneapolis, MN
Sun July 4 Summerfest-Miller Stage Milwaukee, MI
Tues July 6 Power Center for the Performing Arts Ann Arbor, MI
Thurs July 8 The Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY
Fri July 9 Amphitheatre at Station Square Pittsburgh, PA
Sat July 10 Forecastle Festival Louisville, KY
Wed July 28 TBA
Sun Aug 1 Osheaga Festival Montreal, QC
Wed Aug 4 Ohio City Fair Columbus, OH
Fri Aug 6 Lollapalooza Chicago, IL
Sat Sept 18 Tempe Beach Park Tempe, AZ

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3 comments:

Brian Hazard said...

I enjoyed being part of the focus group. The humor suited the band, and it was just plain fun. On the other hand, I wonder whether letting the public judge "just the hooks" is the best way to go. I also noticed how narrow Devo's sonic range is. They really just have one sound. The song that deviated the furthest, which was my top choice, got very little love. Oh well...

said...

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..[___]..---{We am D E V O}

newwavegeo said...

The short set I saw at Coachella was one of my entire festival highlights. Looking forward to getting the CD. It's been to long!