DEVO Live on Fridays (1981) Part 1/3

[learningrichard]

I want helmet hair.

[truthaintpretty]

I sat excitedly right in front of the telly and recorded this with my Realistic tape recorder that Friday night in '81! "Adventures Of Smart Patrol" still runs chills up my spine 30 years later! Truly unique in every way, never matched...

[Paulzzone]

One of my favorite live tv performances. The caps they are wearing are based on the JFK haircut. Devo was big influence on my love for synths.

[iconicshrubbery]

Epic,Devastating Machine-Blast played by 5 Live! Humanoid-Spuds from Ohio,

This intro is an incredible declaration of intentions to their early-80's period-and never attempted before by a band.....on exercise belts!

[papaboule]

strange connections:

Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo would go on to write the music for Rugrats.

Melanie Chartoff of Friday's would go on to do the voice of Didi Pickles of Rugrats.

[tommyluvstraci]

Great performance. The drumming is straight from Can.

[Corsair092]

I am a New Traditionalist! Mark, TOUR MORE. There are more devolutionists out here than you might guess..

[TheWhanfried]

I want corporate hair.

[LonelyAtTheTop79]

@TheWhanfried you can buy the New Traditionalist pompadour hair they are wearing on their official website now

[preciousbash]

YAY CORPORATE HAIR!!!! I have some of my own from back in the day!!

[TheMisterBeef]

@steveasat2

Fanny! That mob can suk the cock of DEVO, and so can you prick

[notsaved]

thanks so much fer posting DEVO!

[SirReal1958]

SNL just couldn't or didn't want to feature new wave bands the way Friday's did. Devo is timeless & long overdue for induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

[AngelaCaroleBrown]

I was there! It is one of my fondest remembrances!

[IDFrules]

tread mills are so fukn cool

[pazzensutra]

I used to watch the short-lived "Fridays" show. I liked it alot. (Yeah, I'm old-45.)

[oldphoque]

@pazzensutra Yeah. I enjoyed the Jamaican Pharmacist and the dude that played with toy soldiers. Don`t remember much more but it was good tv.

[TJae1]

techno punk ~ Geeks have a rite 2 luv & fun 2 ~

[steveasat2]

Looks like OKGO swipes from the best. That's good.

[blitzspeer]

I love Devo and Kraftwerk sucks and was always boring.Devo and Gary Numan were their genre's best example's.

[reichmarshall]

I always thought the Nutra Haircuts were their best look.

[kkklammy]

AWESOME.... Glad that D-E-V-O is back and better than ever for 2010!

[Bonedaddy500]

Art and punk rolled into one



[markarmes]

Hell yeah this is awesome

[speculawyer]

And you kids thought OK Go came up with something new with the treadmills.

[garydunncolumbusga]

Years before OK Go had treadmills!

[Circumpunk]

Kraftwerk...let's see.."we are robots" compares to this how?

[35sixer]

Music of the New Wave post punk was so original and creative.. Just about every band had their own unique sound.. I miss those times..

[omaudio]

old Kraftwerk has no synths and is fucking killer- see "Kraftwerk 2" from 1971- they were not rock- 2 different groups that I am sure had a mutual influence/appreciation between them

[eatatmargos]

Jerkin' back & forth was & is & will always be... A MASTERPIECE. Music for the THINKERS!

[christoJihad2]

These guys were so underrated as musicians and songwriters. Their lyrics were often very insightful and they played live great

[farswept]

Fridays did not suck.

Was that Shelley Duvall in the audience with rubber hair?

[beachkidboy]

Me and my buddies went to this all the time. Saw DEVO, The Cars, and (cough) Pat Benatar. For DEVO we even had costumed and black/white 'DEVO' signs but were edited out. Good 'ole ABC on Prospect.

[jawkneekat]

First concert ever: This tour, this setup. An amazing show for a 15 year old kid.

[BeeGrau]

aah, whycan't i favorite this TWICE?!?

[FinancingHouston]

Fridays was not that great but I remember this performance by Devo and the time The Cars was on as well. Great performances!

[JetblastAZ]

As a show, "Fridays sucked, being a second-rate copy of SNL. But, they did have great music acts, and Devo was primo at the time. Rhanks for posting!

[exjim]

THANX 4 THAT...AWESOME!!!

[thisismyhappening]

Thanks for posting!

[40Rtruss]

I used to loves Friday's and Saturday Night Special on alog with the real SNL back in those days

[899289]

They stopped being being DEVO after Alan left.

[tribute0019]

@899289 exactly. alan felt neglected & they replaced him with David Kenderick.

(I think he looks like Francis form malcome in the middle in the post post modern man vid)

[thegreatreverendx]

@899289 Alan left because they stopped being DEVO.

[JunkyardKid]

@thegreatreverendx jumped the shark with Shout- that damn Fairlight synth.

[jdsrazor66]

i remember seeing this when it originally aired...it was a big deal at the time

[PepperWhite62]

OMG I remember that too. Wait a second that means we are OLD.... Grrrrr.

[freewill911]

Better than the Beach Boys!!!

[kevp66]

I love it!

[nafermartin]

awesome¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

[chrichal23]

I saw them on this tour, Alan's drum riser was at the front of the stage, which was so awesome, he's was just the best drummer, wow.

At one point a fan rushed Alan and tried to rip of his (new trad)

pompodor. But, he was no way giving it up for anyone, and struggled on -not missing a beat mind you, whilst the security dragged the fan offstage.

He was just the best drummer, I have to say it twice.

[climbon74]

What can you say, just way ahead of their time !

[loverofthebigt9]

thank-you!! was one of the best show's they ever did !! I was at the tower in Phila ! for every-show !! it all came to a sudden end!! in my eye's ! they lost there drummer !!! and as with all great band's who's drummer is gone!!! the who-keith moon !!!! led zep.S John hennry Bonham!!! the band;s were never the same!! this applies to D_ E- V- O- we are all D- E- V- O! they are on tour NOW!!!!!!! GO SEE THEM!

[bigqwertycat]

download

[charkiv]

They are the punk version of Kraftwerk

I saw them live twice back in the 8ts, so cool !!!

... we are Devo

[Rauscheder]

Mevo Devo Sleevo

[simfaithguitar1]

Thanks for posting. I remember seeing this the first time on Fridays.

[899289]

Devo was done when Alan left the band. He knew they were headed in the wrong direction musically and bailed. Great drummer, no emotion on his face when he plays.

[10pauin]

The drummer is Alan... Alan left the band after Shout (1984)

[taufactor]

Jerkin' Back and Forth is one of the best duet song for Gerry and Mark : )

[NESSHEAD]

Love that Theme From Adventures of The Smart Patrol.

[ffairlane57]

I remember seeing this in live concert where they had a backlit parthenon and the treadmills.

[ckeos]

long live DEVO !!!!!!!!

[benympls]

SLACK!!!!

[weedbix]

Gerald for the motherfucking win.

[weedbix]

The Devo/Fridays vids are all great, but this has to be my fave.

[joehill448]

Same hands down!

[omertia]

Fridays was a awesome show....it had "lude man " if I'm not mistaken.

[Scyllax]

Michael Richards.

[MegaJetJaguar]

I am soooo DEVO! How long can this go on?!

[weedbix]

It shall go on until each of us finds that real tomato.

[zwarkin]

Devo rules!!!!

[KometKat]

didn't devo sellout?

[motorscooterRick]

They didn't really 'sell out', they just grew up (conformed) and followed the money like we all end up doing.

[brianjcavanaugh]

All techno-new wave-alternative devolved monkey bands must bow to DEVO.

[eisenkreuzmusik]

Kraftwerk and Devo. The original computer keyboard synthesizer nerds.

[johnny420hst]

Saw them both times they played the Jai-li fronton here in Tampa. [its now a Home Depot] Wife thought I was crazy! One of the best performance bands ever!

[conservativefloozie]

Is that "Nutra's Theme" they are playing?

[aliendrink]

Awesome!!!!!! These guys have been my favorite band since 79' when I was 11!!!! Still listen to them every day at 41 . Keep up with the great classic footage!!!

[THESonicMMM]

Great footage! These started all the Japanese wannabes. I met the band back in 1979 or so at a Believe In Music music store in GR MI, and got my Duty Now album signed by all of them.... I still have it. Their were like 5 other people there to greet them! WTF??? I missed the show though! AHH!!!

[hirofan]

THE, what do you mean? They started all the Japanese wannabes? I want to hear about this.

[Pitumisio]

There are far worse wannabes than Japanese similar bands. Devo pioneered electronic music and that's a fact, but Polysics have made a couple more twists to the screw on their own. I am a Devo fan and respectfully listen to Polysics' proposals.

[oldcontemptible]

I remember this!  Great stuff. Thanks.

[mhofkp]

one of the best bands in the world...period...

[neel2112]

i love devo only afew no why

[folksisfolks]

Saw this tour at Hill in A2.

Mind blowing!!!!!!

[drmlabs]

Im jealous! I missed this tour, and Hill woulda been a great place to see them!

[LHZZ12MM]

reminds me of Blue Man Group

[folksisfolks]

Try the other way around!

[dematka]

FABULOUS... wow, treadmills. way too far ahead of their time... I will boycott the RNR hall of fame until they are in...

[joehill448]

THIS IS FANTASTIC thank you for posting this put up more!!!

[beautydaddy]

All of these guys went on to complete PhD's.

[2BoBornot2BoB]

LOL!

[PoserExposer]

rare footage,very cool!

[kimberly9000]

Man these guys were tight! Their level of musicianship was to the nth degree, and how refreshing that they actually had something to say. Devo rocks! Kurt was 110% right when he said these guys were the MOST subersive band to make it from the underground. Thanks so much for posting.

[capcitymack]

DEEEEEE-VOOOOOOOOOO!

[yannelli55]

thanks for the fun!

[899289]

I saw that NYC Radio City show too! They really took a dive after Oh, no it's devo! Even Alan knew it, and bailed out.

[rmaxinmass]

Alan left because they were using more and more drum machines and he didn't feel needed. Devo never took a dive. They will have a new album out soon and it's gonna be TIGHT!

[Zombiebloodfeast]

Rare stuff, please don't ever take this down.

[stampscapes]

Fridays was a great show.

[fenderfish]

I remember watching this on tv, lovin' me some Devo!

outstanding band, way ahead of their time.

.........and Melanie Chartoff.....rrrowrr!

[rinneysays]

I love the way Gerald shakes those hips.

[menudoconpata]

wow, i remember watching this and just loving the conveyor belt idea. I was 16 and already a Devo fan.

... ah Melonie Chartoff.

[Thraxter]

Oh, the ol' acid dayz in deed.

[chrichal23]

Yeah, the "good" 'ol acid days.

The world needs real lsd now more than ever.

[guodone]

I saw Devo at Radio City in NY during this tour. The concert started with about six videos on a large screen. Then the screen went up and the entire 'temple' set rose from the orchestra pit as they played this song. The place went nuts. They put on a great show.

[tebutsko]

I was at that Friday's show, and a fan of DEVO. My sister won tickets from KROQ and gave them to me. I was to only one in the crowd with a powerdome, then they threw out to the crowd about 10 of those hats tomae it look good. THANKS FOR POSTING!

[madmex66]

I remember waiting all week long to see this show. Ahh the good ol days.

[readme60]

man brings me back to the 80's!

[resistyrocks]

best band in the world?

[chrichal23]

At the time, no question. They certainly were.

[aaronquy1968]

so ahead of their time musically!! Hell Yeah!!

[lovelyistheworld]

the treadmils are great. funkiest song ever- it's likw a complete transfiguring of american blues roots music by groovy robots.

[weedbix]

Jerry FTW.

[megatwingo]

5*****

[jawkneekat]

First concert ever was this tour / Dec. 12 1981.

No wonder I thought they were incredible.

Thanks for posting.

[lhlover52]

whos on the keyboard to the far right?

[booji90]

Bob 2

[Sole2Heart]

I remember watching this the night it aired. Thank you for posting this!!-

[iceman91321]

I saw this live too. I was in 10th grade. The only time I've had an awe inspiring music moment like this was years later when I saw Marilyn Manson sing the Dope Show on the MTV music awards. You just say, HUH????? No way am I seeing this.

[georgemasiello]

Good stuff - long time Devotee...

[malitano]

wow. this is super rare

[acepple95]

this sounds lo-fi,great song

[kent6667]

low-fi, but hi-cool.

[LakewoodDallas]

Unique is understatement for DEVO. Long live the 80s!

[diffdrum1]

Love them! They were years ahead of their time. Still sounds ultra modern!

[jdmars02]

simply genius.

[rdm1957]

Brilliant, thanks for posting!!!

[richteri]

Devo is soooo cool.

Greetings from Berlin (Germany)

[keithshelly]

I didn't know this existed!

I'm glad that some off of TRADITIONALISTS

got some national media exposure!

Jerry looks so different!

What a stage setup!

I just heard "Don't shoot(I"m a man)" for the first time!

[themightyboooooooooo]

holy cow I saw this in 81. Holy Cow!

[caciqu2]

amazing, thanks

[Delores835]

I love Devo. I do remember watching this on Tv in my mother's bedroom.

[sirlonghair]

the treadmill's are asume can't remember the band but every one loved 'THEAR IDEA" to use treadmills DEVO truly ahead of thear time

[jkrosati]

Boogie Boy Lives!! Are we not Men? We are DEVO!!!

[2vonranke]

DUTY NOW FOR THE FUTURE!!!!!

[doctorw2]

i loooooooooooove devo!

[nikolai082700]

Ah... memories. Going to see them tomorrow night in Dallas at the Palladium. It's going to be awesome. I wish I had seen them in their prime. (Other than never missing a TV appearance....)

[bobstricktips]

If you saw them at the Palladium last night , you DID see them in their prime. It was incredible.

[nikolai082700]

I have to agree. What a completely amazing show!!!

That was one of the best performances I've seen in years by anyone.

I DO BELIEVE IN DE-EVOLUTION!!! (and always have)

[BrownsburgKevin]

You know you're old when:

You can remember watching this in your bedroom LIVE back in March 1981.

[mandang0]

They don't make plastic hair like they used to.Huh

[StabbyMcButterPants]

It's really hard to say who started the entire electronica/new wave movement (pure synth band) since Devo and Kraftwerk started bout the same time. But I think Devo had more of an impact in the States while Kraftwerk took Europe by storm. Other bands from Europe did say though that Devo was an influence on them (Duran Duran) so it's a close call. :)

[tristianity4u]

Kraftwerk was way earlier. They were using synths in the early 70s.

[Rolandzebub]

So was Devo, it's recorded on their show from Kent State in 1973 or 72.

[chrichal23]

Have you heard the first ever Kraftwerk album. It's got flutes on it !!

Devo never had no Flutes.

Ever!

[JohnnyMcMormon]

@chrichal23 As much as I love Kraftwerk, I don't compare them to Devo side-by-side.  Kraftwerk was a very unique group, but mainly electronica, but highlighted by the use of instruments like the flute and theremin. Devo was more of an electro-rock hybrid, and brought electronic music to a rock audience, and also carried a message through their music. I love both groups equally.

[zsyed12345678]

@JohnnyMcMormon Kraftwerk spwaned groups like Devo. Devo is clearly a punk derivative of Kraftwerks clean-cut, robotic performances.

[passonno]

@JohnnyMcMormon Actually, Kraftwerk was for a time very much in the same vein as Devo, but far more instrumental based.

[hintysen]

@JohnnyMcMormon Right... The other missing point is that Devo brought ironic humor to the mix and presented a complete theme with music, visuals and concept all tied together to send a message the world is only now figuring out. When was Kraftwerk ever funny?

[Roodillon]

@hintysen I find the record cover of Trans Europe Express to be hilarious!

[elanmak]

@hintysen When you find out Kraftwerk is using that same ironic sense of humor, it all starts to make a little more sense.

[McLarenMercedes]

@hintysen

They never intended to be funny. And if they did they had a certain way of showing it.

[robelicit]

@JohnnyMcMormon .....well said, right on targ3t. Both were massively influential, 2 of the most iconic bands evah.

[cretinbob]

@JohnnyMcMormon Many people will disagree but the truth of the matter is, this is punk rock.

[iconicshrubbery]

@cretinbob You're joking-they have surpassed that phase-nowthey have an instrumental track,a wall of electronic sound,a mission,concentrated expressions un-fased by beer,and importantly,a musical talent unbeknown to 'punk' groups.And I like punk too...

[thetiktokman]

Kraftwerk were first but they were not mainstream. DEVO came out but they were not considered 'real music' just a novelty act. Synths first hit major mainstream popularity with Gary Numan in 1979.

[passonno]

@thetiktokman Wrong. Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, Wakeman, Wendy Carlos,  Keith Emerson. Need I go on?

[thetiktokman]

@passonno Kraftwerk (1968) predated all those but pls go on...

[sandytherabbit]

one of my fav devo songs!!

i wanna cover pity you

[nietzsche71]

still ahead of their time

[anori]

I have never had more respect for Devo and their work as I do these days. Geniuses... true originals with their finger on the pulse of a country that had started to rot from the inside out (almost complete now). There hasn't been such poignant social commentary in pop music before or after. Thanks for posting this video.

[bendedominicis]

Thanks alot! You made my day.

[cllamont]

Fridays was a great comedy show. Kramer was on it way before Seinfeld and humiliating himself calling black people niggers while onstage.

[signalssignalssignal]

awsome.i remember Fridays! I was born in Akron Ohio and my life was all about devo being 10 and all. Those were the days. My brother took guitar lessons in Streetsboro and Devo used to get equipment sometimes from there. That was at the very start!. my brother teaches at Berklee music now. have a great day.

[BrianIam2]

I was third row for concert where they had those treadmills...before I had ever seen them do it on TV...my well toasted brain could not process wtf was going on for the 1st several songs. Long Live DEVO

[dmarquis8]

I wonder if Depeche Mode were influenced by Devo, especially the second song (the bass synthesizers).

[Psychocktail]

God that was great! The best ever entrance by a band on network TV, and the best use ever of exercise treadmills ever by a band!

[thedivys]

even music has devolved beyond comprehension.

the bad guys are winning

[kotraquin]

I wonder if this song inspired Offsprings" "Self Esteem"

[rossg14]

Damn, I remember this! Best Devo opening ever!!!!

[TheFartGallery]

Wow! I was their number one fan in the Seventies . is this available to buy on DVD or CD? Cheers!!!!

[MuffisdosTrapezoid]

Alan Myers is so hot in this video!

[2BoBornot2BoB]

These guys saved us all from the pussy ass big hair glam bands that permeated the music scene in the early 80's.

[SpaceMountainMike]

Early 80's? More like late 80's 1987 to to 1989

[JunkyardKid]

The big hair glam era of which you speak didn't come along until AT LEAST the MID-80's.

[imaquack]

Spudmasters! Some of the greatest entertainners ever! Ranking close to the B-52's as the most original band in history. I would have loved to have been at one of their concerts but i know I'd have turned into a devo fanatic, hitting every venue i could find.

Great stage set-up. I wish SNL's stage was that big. I remember Friday's as a rival to SNL back in the 80s. Saw alot of great bands on there. That'