----DEVOtional 2019 was an amazingly high-DEVO event to say the least. Even after a flood destroyed a large portion of the planned raffle gifts which Nick Ciasullo had been procuring for the last year, and even after Rocky Schenck had to cancel due to unforseen circumstances, AND even though the Bob1 Cloud Guitar Prototype (by Eastwood Customs) got stuck in customs for the next 3 weeks...this event STILL brought big devolved smiles to SO MANY faces.
----Some of the biggest smiles were on the faces of the first 100 ticket buyers this year, who received a very limited edition single-sided 7" record of DEVO as The Big Dirty Farmers doing "It's All Good". Brought to you in part by the mighty Futurismo label. Thanks, Del!! (Let's see how long it takes for one of these to end up on eBay!)
---- We were very fortunate to have Robert "Bob 1" Mothersbaugh join us this year, and even more fortunate that his brother "Jungle Jim" Mothersbaugh decided to show up, too. We also welcomed David Kendrick (of DEVO, Sparks, Gleaming Spires..etc) back to the event, and our friend Del Jae from Futurismo records in the UK. David & Del discussed the recent "Total Devo" and "Smooth Noodle Maps" deluxe edition re-issues during a Q & A session with attendees.
---- This year we had visitors from all over the USA, Canada, and even Finland...and again we exceeded ticket sales & attendance records. It's always nice to see the factions of weirdos & outcasts who come together for these events! Speaking of weirdos, this was the first DEVOtional at which all of the previous & current DEVOtional organizers have been in the same room: Michael Pilmer, Scott Orsi, Joe Machos, Alex Brunelle, Thom Chiki, and Nick Ciasullo.
---- With a full roster of beautifully mutated performers scheduled for the weekend, a very good time was in store. Bands in order of appearance: The Jimmy Psycho Experiment (CA), Eric Nassau (OH), Death Grippos (feat. members of Lt. Dance) (OH), Fight Milk (WA & Finland), HE himself (SC), The Gothees (PA), Mutant Brass Band (OH), and DEVOtional faves, DEVOmatix (GA).
---- And for the 3rd year in a row, our annual 5K DEVO event happened in the early morning in Akron. The morning was beautiful and our special guest Bob 1 showed up to start the race & mingle with spuds & mutants alike.Check out racer times & winner names at the 5KDEVO site.
Now I present this collection of photos, videos, and stories from our DEVOtional 2019 weekend.
THERE ARE VIDEOS EMBEDDED ON THIS PAGE (scroll down), but also BE SURE TO CLICK ON THUMBNAIL IMAGES BELOW for a chronological journey through the event.
---- Printed Materials, etc:
Click
imagery for larger view, more info, and to view in chronological order.
Pre-event photos/videos:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday
July 26th @ Beachland Tavern
----After our late-night hotel party the night before, spuds split off into different factions to explore in their own way. A contingency of Booji Boy spuds headed out to the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame to make their vote for DEVO known.The Rock Hall took note and posted a photo of said Boojis on their Instagram page...which really made everyone's day. Other spuds headed to the beach...others to arcades, thrift stores, and bars. Eventually everyone met up at Beachland Tavern starting around 5pm on Friday evening. Three artists performed: The Jimmy Psycho Experiment, Eric Nassau, and Death Grippos (feat. members of Lt. Dance). Packed house, just like last year...and we exceeded door donation totals of previous years. Thanks, comrades! The night ended again with another Devo-Obsesso hotel room party that lasted until 2:30am, with Eric Nassau performing acoustic DEVO tunes & other 80s favorites.
Check out the photos & video clips below
Be sure to check out the videos embedded on this main page after you navigate thru the pics!
Click imagery for larger view, more info, and to view in chronological order.
Video: The Jimmy Psycho Experiment "That's Good (EZ)" Fri. July 26th/Beachland Tavern Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Eric Nassau's Intro Fri. July 26th/Beachland Tavern Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Eric Nassau "Going Under" Fri. July 26th/Beachland Tavern Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Eric Nassau "Here To Go" Fri. July 26th/Beachland Tavern Video by Mark Nowak
Video: Death Grippos Fri. July 26th/Beachland Tavern Video by Mark Nowak
Video: Devo-Obsesso Hotel After Party/Friday Fri. July 26th/Marriott Video by Amanda Bissaro
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday July 27th Cleveland @ Beachland
----The main event of our DEVOtional 2019 weekend! Started right on time at 2:30pm with an AMAZING performance by Fight Milk from Washington State. These young spuds HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD with their impeccable stage moves & mimicking of DEVO's "Oh No.." live show! They even worked themselves into the backing videos, which was a very nice touch. Props to Sam Swanson for his work in re-creating some of the backing video graphics. Those who had to sleep in because of our 2nd late night party on Friday night, subsequently missing Fight Milk, will have another chance to see them next year later in the day if we're lucky! We've already invited them back.
----We also welcomed HE himself (aka BlnkrBoy, who managed DEVOtional 2002), The Gothees, Al Mothersbaugh's Mutant Brass Band, and those Altanta, GA DEVOtional veterans DEVOMATIX to the main event stage this year. Everyone's performance seemed to go off without a hitch and the room was filled with bouncing & singing spuds all day & night.
----Our special guests on this day included Robert "Bob 1" Mothersbaugh of DEVO, David Kendrick (of DEVO, Sparks, Gleaming Spires, etc), Del Jae from Futurismo records in the UK, and surprise visits from "Jungle Jim" Mothersbaugh (original DEVO drummer), and Rev. Ivan Stang of Church of The Subgenius! Attendees were more than happy to socialize with those folks throughout the day, and our Q&A with David & Del regarding the recent "Total DEVO" and "Smooth Noodle Maps" releases went well with plenty of questions from the audience..and even Bob1 chimed in!
----This year's prize raffle was definitely the biggest yet, featuring two items donated by Eastwood Customs - a DEVO Be Stiff Bass & Whip It Guitar! 2 guitars!!! Also raffled off were numourous rare DEVO vinyl releases, CDs, T-Shirts, limited edition toys, and the last few years of the ltd edition "First 100 ticket buyers" items - including last year's Turkey Monkey Piggy Bank, this year's 7" vinyl, and much more.
Click
imagery below for larger view, more info, and to view in chronological order.
Be sure to check out the videos embedded on this main page after you navigate thru the pics!
Video: Fight Milk "Time Out For Fun" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Fight Milk "Big Mess" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso BACKING VIDEO
GRAPHICS BY SAM SWANSON
Video: Fight Milk "She's Out Of Sync" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Fight Milk "Going Under" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: The Gothees "Booji Boy's Funeral" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Mutant Brass Band "4th Dimension / That's Good" (EZ versions) Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Mutant Brass Band "Uncontrollable Urge" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Mutant Brass Band "Shout" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: DEVOMATIX "Going Under" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: DEVOMATIX "Enough Said" & "Freedom Of Choice" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: DEVOMATIX "Uncontrollable Urge" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Tavi as Booji Boy Snippet Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: Fight Milk Posse Jerkin' Back n' Forth Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: DEVOMATIX "Gut Feeling" & "Gates Of Steel" Sat. July 27th Beachland Ballroom Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Sunday July 28th Akron - 5K DEVO Race
----And if that wasn't enough devolved fun, Sunday morning was time for the 3rd annual 5K DEVO Race in Akron, Ohio. The event was a big hit with Bob 1 guesting this time around (His race-starting announcement was hilarious, btw). Our friends DETENTION performed again this year and delivered a few choice DEVO covers, which the DEVOtees in the crowd really enjoyed. DETENTION was spawned from The Miller School of Visual And Performing Arts, to which proceeds from the 5K event go to. DETENTION played an entire set of DEVO tunes this year...and their cover of DEVO's "Fresh" was a highlight for me. Bob 1 was there to start the race, and meet racers at the finish line.
Click
imagery for larger view, more info, and to view in chronological order.
Video: 5K DEVO Race Start with BOB 1 of DEVO Sun. July 28th Downtown Akron, OH Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: 5K DEVO Race Winner Ignores Bob 1! Sat. July 28th, 2019 Downtown Akron, OH Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: DETENTION perform "Girl U Want" Sun. July 28th Downtown Akron, OH Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
Video: DETENTION perform "Fresh" Sun. July 28th Downtown Akron, OH Video by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso
---------------------------------------------
HUGE Thanks to everyone who made this year's event possible and SO ENJOYABLE. This includes Eastwood Customs Guitars, Nick Ciasullo, Ren & Joe Provo, Robin Armstrong, Thom Chiki, Del Jae, Bob 1, David Kendrick, Jim Mothersbaugh, Amy Mothersbaugh, and a special thanks to all the fans & friends who donated items for the raffle this year (to fill the hole left by unfortunate flooding for Nick!) There were some very valuable & collectible items in there that gave some lucky folks big smiles. And as always, we want to be sure to thank all the performers who worked so hard to entertain us. THANK YOU.
DEVOtional 2020 will be a BIG one...our 20th Anniversary!!
Duty Now,
-Michael Pilmer - for DEVO, Inc. &
Devo-Obsesso.com
