----DEVOtional 2016 was a special one! Well, I think most attendees would say they are *all* special, however this particular event stood out for two reasons: 1) Our very special guest, Robert "Bob 1" Mothersbaugh, who, to everyone's delight, visited our DEVOtional event for the first time since 2005, and 2) we welcomed back the DEVOtional house band, SPUDBOYS, whose last DEVOtional stage presence dates back to 2010. Excited doesn't even begin to describe the mental and physical state of this year's DEVOtees.
----But there's more! Eastwood Guitars was kind enough to debut the prototypes for their reissued custom DEVO guitars which included Bob 1's "Whip It" Guitar, and Jerry Casale's "Be Stiff Bass." Jerry talked about their origins & design, and Bob 1 took one for an unplugged spin (video link is within this report).
----Our full list of DEVOtional 2016 special guests included Gerald V. Casale of DEVO (who has been a regular guest for many years), Robert "Bob 1" Mothersbaugh of DEVO, and Delaney Jae of Futurismo (the UK label which has released a couple DEVO LPs/CDs so far).
----We're always excited to welcome DEVOtees from all over Planet Earth. This year, in addition to Spuds who traveled from all corners of the USA, we were also thrilled to meet some very dedicated Spuds from Canada, Australia, and the UK!
----Last year, we offered a special gift to the first 100 advance ticket buyers (limited edition "Nutty Buddy" cassette), and this year we offered a snazzy re-make of DEVO's 1980 Energy Dome pin, but this time it's made of high quality enamel, not plastic. Gifts for both last year & this year were graciously provided by our pal, Del Jae, of Futurismo in the UK. Go on over to the Futurismo site & check out his limited edition vinyl & CDs of 80s treasures.
----By coincidence, Mark Mothersbaugh's MYOPIA art show was in Ohio at the same time as our DEVOtional. Mark & Jerry were guests at the Akron Art Museum the weekend prior to DEVOtional, which gave us the chance to distribute event flyers, which really helped us get the word out and make 2016 and incredible year! Printed materials, press, etc.:
Click
imagery for larger view, more info, and to view other
photos in chronological order.
Pre-event photos:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday
August 19 - Bands @ Beachland Tavern
----The night started right on time as spuds began flooding in around 6pm at the Beachland Tavern--the smaller stage/bar at the front of the Beachland Ballroom club. Our annual DEVOtional Friday-night-hang-out was underway as many Spuds mingled with mutants, while others danced to beautifully devolved bands for most of the evening.
----Bands performing that night were tight, devolved, and highly entertaining. For me personally, it was my most inebriated DEVOtional night yet... so apologies for any of my heckling / yelling / stumbling around that night. I blame Nikki Whiskey for her consistant liquor gifting.
Click imagery for larger view, more info, and to view other photos in chronological order.
Video:We Are Not Men from Texas "Uncontrollable Urge"
Fri. Aug 19/Beachland Tavern
Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Fantastic Plastics "Freedom Of Choice"
Fri. Aug 19/Beachland Tavern
Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Eric Nassau "Here To Go" Fri. Aug 19/Beachland Tavern
Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Eric Nassau "Mr. B's Ballroom"
Fri. Aug 19/Beachland Tavern
Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Lieutenant Dance "Praying Hands"
Fri. Aug 19/Beachland Tavern
Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Devomatix "Turn Around"
Fri. Aug 19/Beachland Tavern
Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Andi Cracking That Whip Fri. Aug 19/Beachland Tavern
Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday
August 20th (Morning) - Booji Walk at Akron Art Museum
----The Akron Art Museum was the site of this year's Booji Boy Walk, where clones of the infantile spirit of DEVO gathered to freak out passerbys, or simply enjoy a more devolved persona for a while. Everyone showed up around 10am to perspire in rubber masks in the name of Devolution.
Saturday August 20th Cleveland - DEVOtional @ Beachland
----Still on a high from the incredible night of socializing/devolving on Friday, DEVOtees showed up right on time (at 2pm) for the doors to open... with very little sleep behind them. The whirlwind of bands & activities began, and there was no lack of energy from the stage or the dance floor.
----Jerry Casale performed on stage with SPUDBOYS, giving us a sensational delivery of "Beautiful World." Bands, activities, and Spuds lasted until the wee hours of Sunday morning. Extreme Endurance DEVOtion - that's the way we like it!
Click
imagery for larger view, more info, and to view other
photos in chronological order.
Video: Bob1 Tries "Whip It Guitar" Prototype
Sat. Aug. 20th Beachland Ballroom Footage by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Massive Hotdog Recall (feat. Al Mothersbaugh) "SHOUT"
Sat. Aug. 20th Beachland Ballroom Footage by Kit Watson
Video: Spudboys perform "Beautiful World" w/ Gerald Casale
Sat. Aug. 20th Beachland Ballroom Footage by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: XPosed 4Heads "Through Being Cool" live
Sat.
Aug. 20th Beachland Ballroom Footage by Kit Watson
Video: DEVOmatix "Jocko Homo" live
Sat.
Aug. 20th Beachland Ballroom Footage by Kit Watson
Post-DEVOtional Activities Sunday August 21st
in Akron, Ohio
GRATITUDE: Thanks to everyone who came together to donate their time, money, and resources to make this event happen - Nick Ciasullo (for being our fearless manager of all the gory details), Joe & Ren Provo (as always!), Del at Futurismo for his generosity & hard work, Kit Watson for graphics assistance & video documenting, Nikki Mishler for proofreading/editing, all the special guests, bands, artists, photographers, and everyone who contributed in any way. It couldn't be done without you, of course.
