Devo - “Hardcore Devo Live!” DVD

Well-done live document 

The fact that I’m not a big fan of Ohio’s legendary Devo doesn’t affect my appreciation for their unique contribution to modern music. Being so instrumental in the developments of both American punk as well as early electronic pop isn’t a feat that should be ignored, as Devo were certainly inspirations to bands from both genres. And although some may only know the band from their mega-radio hit “Whip It” from 1980, they have had a number of memorable and popular cuts that transcend description and era.

Despite the loss of Bob 2 (Bob Casale) in 2014, the band soldiered on with a series of shows called “Hardcore Devo” — focused solely on their earliest, classic material (1974 to 1977). This DVD documents that tour, complete with early and obscure proto-electronic rock tracks that continue to wow and bewilder fans. It’s a seriously professional document, recorded impeccably with multiple cameras quality angles. And, of course, the music is still pretty weird. You get greats like “Bamboo Bimbo”, “Midget”, “Uncontrollable Urge”, You Got Me Bugged (Booji Boy)”, and a ton more.

Fans will already own this one, and if you consider yourself a serious Devo-tee, this one’s for you.

MVD Visual

Club Devo (official site)

Devo - “The Men Who Make The Music (Plus Butch Devo & The Sundance Gig)” DVD

Seminal Devo weirdness

Re-releasing a seminal collection of early (1978-79) Devo video clips is a no-brainer. The “spud-boys” from Ohio were instrumental in the synthesis of punk, new wave, and avante-electronic sounds in this era, and the aftereffects are still being felt within the industrial and electro-rock genres, among many others. Those who label Devo a forgotten “eighties” band (solely because of their mega-hit “Whip It”) are sorely mistaken, and this video proves it.

The first half of this release, “The Men Who Make The Music”, stitches together early Devo promo videos (“Jocko Homo”, “Satisfaction”, and “Secret Agent Man”, most notably) with live clips and some interstitial nonsense that somehow ties it all together. It’s classic, lo-fi, and rough-shot overall, and the direct-from-VHS transfer doesn’t help. But that’s part of the charm here. Essential Devo, really.

The “filler” here is a complete show from the 1996 Sundance Film Festival, where Devo revisited some of their earliest songs, all the while dressed in 20s-style prison garb. There are some great songs here, particularly my favorite, “Beautiful World”, but with the semi-bootleg quality, this is one for the completists, namely.

Final words? Great stuff, and overall a must-see for fans of one of America’s smartest “pop” groups.

MVD Visual

Club Devo (official site)

Neil Young - "Here We Are In The Years - Neil Young's Music Box" DVD

A 2-hour unauthorized analysis of Young's musical influences, this one isn't so much a bio of the Canadian rock renaissance man as it is a look at what the man himself was listening to at various stages in his long and storied career. There's no interviews with Neil himself, only a series of journalists, writers, and historians who examine (with critical eyes and ears) the various facets and periods of Young's music.

Beginning with the early rock and roll and rhythm-and-blues (Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Chuck Berry), the disc travels into folk (Dylan, Ian and Sylvia) to punk (Sex Pistols) to electronics (Kraftwerk, Devo) and "grunge" (Pearl Jam, Nirvana). "Here We Are..." is an interesting behind-the-scenes look at an influential and ever-evolving artist who has always followed his own muse. Young is a musical treasure, and this examination of what inspired him is a must for any serious fan. (Chrome Dreams via MVD Visual)

Neil Young official site

"Derailroaded - Inside The Mind Of Larry "Wild Man" Fischer" DVD

I had never heard of Wild Man Fischer, but this documentary does a great job bringing me up to snuff. Back in the wild 60's, Los Angeles street singer Fischer was "discovered" by one Frank Zappa, who brought the troubled young man into a studio to record an album that would go on to be seen as an "outsider" classic, and a favorite on quirky radio shows like Dr. Demento with his signature tune, "Merry Go Round".
But beyond this level of fringe stardom lies the story of a man who was institutionalized as a teen, suffered a tragic and disturbing family life, and has lived with paranoid schizophrenia for his entire life. In "Derailroaded", director Josh Rubin looks closer at Fischer, and his unbiased eye lets the viewer see Wild Man in his prime, as well as in recent years. Music, interviews with family and friends, and lots of archival films make this one an important and fairly comprehensive look into the man and his music. Interviews include friends Barnes & Barnes, Weird Al Yankovic, Mark Mothersbaugh, Dr. Demento, and Frank and Gail Zappa. A fine documentary and a fascinating individual. (MVD Visual)