The Unconventional Legacy of Devo’s Bob Mothersbaugh: A Journey Thru Music and Resilience
Emerging from Akron, Ohio, Devo was a band that left the music world scratching its head. In a region celebrated for its love of classic rock icons like KISS and Ted Nugent, Devo stood out with their eccentric guitars and avant-garde sound.They were not just another rock band; they were a intentional departure from the norm.
The lineup featured the talents of guitarists Bob mothersbaugh and bob Casale,bassist Gerald Casale,vocalist/keyboardist mark Mothersbaugh,and drummer Alan Myers.
“We weren’t fans of the arena rock sound,” Bob Mothersbaugh shared in an interview with guitarist. “Our goal was to poke fun at it. We aimed to create something bizarre and different.”
And that’s precisely what they did, albeit with some backlash. “We were often misunderstood,” Bob reflected. “We weren’t chasing hits; we were focused on our artistic vision. When we played in Akron,we faced a lot of hostility!”
He recalls,”In the Devo documentary available on Netflix,you can see the reality of our early days. We were bullied, had objects thrown at us, and even received threats. Yet, the audience stayed. We knew we were challenging them, but we believed in our music.”
Despite their unconventional approach, Bob’s musical influences were surprisingly mainstream. “I admired guitarists like Chuck Berry, George Harrison, Jeff Beck, and Muddy Waters,” he noted.
While these influences were common, Bob soon realized that his unique style was inescapable. “I never took formal lessons,” he explained. “I played what felt right. Even when I attempted to mimic those greats, I always ended up sounding like myself. Now, after all these years, I find that people are trying to imitate my style!”
Bob’s contributions have been pivotal in shaping the new wave genre and its guitar techniques. A listen to Devo’s first four albums-1978’s Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, 1979’s duty Now For The future, 1980’s Freedom Of Choice, and 1981’s New Traditionalists-reveals a collection of tracks that defy the arena rock mold while still delivering memorable hits like their cover of The Rolling Stones’ (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, Girl U Want, and Whip It.
Following those,albums like 1984’s Shout,1988’s Total Devo,1990’s Smooth Noodle Maps,and the 2010 release Something For everybody further solidified Bob’s legacy,alongside his guitar partner,Bob Casale.
Tragically, Casale passed away in 2014, but Josh Hager stepped in, bringing his own flair to the band. Bob praises Hager as “a talented player,” while humorously lamenting that he now has to tackle some of Casale’s complex rhythm parts, particularly in their rendition of satisfaction.
As Bob approaches his 74th birthday this August, he shows no signs of slowing down. Devo is gearing up for a U.S. tour, with UK dates scheduled for June. while he admits that preparing for performances has become more challenging, he’s persistent to “play just enough to avoid excruciating pain” on stage. “I’ll keep rocking until I can’t anymore,” he asserts.
The current lineup includes Bob and Mark Mothersbaugh, Greg Casale, Josh Hager, and drummer Josh Freese, who has been with Devo since 1996. The recent Netflix documentary has reignited interest in the band, attracting a new generation of fans.
“When we step on stage, the cheers are overwhelming,” Bob expresses. “I feel fortunate to experiance that every night. We’re witnessing a resurgence.”
Bob’s approach to guitar remains unchanged, focusing on the essence of what makes Devo unique. “I view my guitar as a tool for digging,” he explains. “I just play what fits and see how I can make it sound appealing.”
Devo’s Impact on Music
Devo emerged in the 1970s as a refreshing choice to the classic rock scene, often poking fun at it. “It was a movement,” Bob recalls.”Many bands like the Ramones, Sex Pistols, Blondie, and Talking Heads were also breaking away from the norm. It was an exciting time.”
What If Devo Debuted Today?
If devo were to debut in today’s music landscape, Bob believes they would find a receptive audience, thanks to the internet. “I’d love to see how it would unfold,” he mused.
Reflecting on his early collaboration with bob Casale, Bob shared, “Bob was an remarkable guitarist but preferred not to take the led. I often handled that role. We would figure out our parts for live performances after recording.”
Bob Casale was a fantastic guitarist, but he didn’t enjoy playing leads, so I took on that duty.
Bob continued, “I would often record both guitar parts for our albums, and then we’d decide who played what during live shows. Bob was a great bandmate and one of the funniest people I knew. Our dynamic was effortless.”
Gear and Sound
When asked about the gear used for iconic tracks like Satisfaction, Whip It, and Girl U Want, Bob revealed, “For satisfaction, I played a Gibson L6-S guitar through an Acoustic model 470 amp. For Whip It and Girl U Want, I used the Ibanez ‘Cloud Guitar’ with a prototype tube amp from Roland.”
“Bob Casale actually came up with the riff for Satisfaction,” he added. “During a tour featuring our early material, I had to play his part for that song, which was challenging since I hadn’t performed it regularly for years!”
Bob also discussed Devo’s signature oddball guitars, stating, “There wasn’t a specific reason for the sound; I just wanted to stand out! I once found a La baye 2X4 guitar in a pawn shop and had to use it live, even though it didn’t sound or play great.”
After the success of Whip it and its quirky music video, Bob noted, “For a couple of years, we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted. we initially thought Girl U Want would be the hit,not Whip It.”
Reflecting on their recording process, Bob admitted, “I was quite inexperienced with tracking. In our Akron basement, we simply placed a Shure SM57 in front of the amp. Our first four albums were produced by professionals who knew how to mic an amp properly.”
Bob also shared his preference for solid-state amps, explaining, “I didn’t know much about guitar amps, but the Acoustic 470 had a five-band graphic EQ that I would customize for each song. I later disconnected the high-frequency horn because it was too shining for my taste.”
Today, Bob relies on a Les Paul, a Gibson Custom Shop recreation of Mike bloomfield’s ’59 model, along with a Line 6 modeling amp for touring. “I wanted a guitar that felt right in my hands,” he said. “When I found the Bloomfield model, it felt perfect, and it sounded great too!”
Bob appreciates the distinct sounds of different guitars. “I love a clean sound where I can plug in my Les paul and instantly recognize that classic tone. I can do the same with my Telecaster,” he explained. However, he noted that he rarely uses amps on stage anymore, preferring to plug directly into the computer for efficiency.
Discussing the recent Netflix documentary, Devo, Bob stated, “It has provided insight into our journey over the years. While it hasn’t changed my perspective on my legacy or influence, it was enjoyable to watch. Chris Smith did a fantastic job compiling old footage, and it’s a feel-good documentary that resonates with viewers.”
I didn’t realise I was in the wringer at the time; I just thought record companies were out of their minds.
Bob’s advice for aspiring guitarists and bands is simple: “If you don’t enjoy the process of creating music, you’re in the wrong field. Success is a bonus.”
The Future of Devo
Devo has no plans to slow down. “We’ll be touring globally starting in April,” Bob confirmed. “We’re like the musicians on the Titanic, playing on as the ship sinks. We’re just trying to contribute our part.”
The documentary has introduced a new audience to their live performances. “People are rediscovering how much fun Devo is on stage.I’m grateful for our ongoing success,” he concluded.
- the Mutate, Don’t Stagnate Tour is on the horizon.Check out Devo for dates and ticket information.
- This article originally appeared in Guitarist.Subscribe for more insights.
