DEVO tional 2001

    Dave LaPlaca

Most folks have already expressed many of the feelings I had towards DEVOtional 2001, so bear with me if I repeat a few things...

Ok, so Saturday may have been one of the most bizarre days I've ever experienced. I don't think I've ever been around that much concentrated "Devo geek" in my life (and when I say "geek", it doesn't refer to a person or persons, but more the general atomosphere of the event). Sure, there were Devo fans at the couple of Lolla shows I saw in '97, but the Korn and Tool fans there outnumbered the Devo fans. On Saturday, the "Devo geek" in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife...haha. It was very cool to meet everyone and thanks to everyone who I traded with/bought stuff from/sold stuff to. 

Random thoughts...

- General Boy and Jungle Jim. Ok, enough said. (no pun intended).

- Mixed feelings on the video of Devo's recent techno show. I'm not sure how much I dug it, to be honest. I mean, I really WANTED to like it a lot, but it's not the Devo I know and love. "That's Good" sounded just like the original, but with a lame fast drum beat behind it. The "maybe baby" section of "Satisfaction" was very long and hypnotic...I liked that. And it sure was cool that they dug out "I've Been Refused" and "Beehive" (does anyone know of any old recordings of this song anywhere?). The undertaker-like suits they all wore were an interesting twist. Let's hope that Michael P. will be allowed to make copies of this show available to trade or whatever...I'd love to check it out a few more times to see if the techno versions grow on me anymore. 

- Park City '96 video...goddamn, I wish I could've been at that show. Booji Boy throwing his fecal matter into the crowd...folks, it doesn't get any better than that! "Let's kill all the normal people!"

- It was truly bizarre to find other Devo fans that appreciate underground metal bands...go figure. Carcass rules!

I was not able to attend last year, but from what I heard from many folks who did attend last year, this year's was much better. All I know is that I thought it was a damn good time...definitely worth the 4-hour drive from Rochester. Let's hope that one of the other band members can make it to a future DEVOtional.

- Dave LaPlaca