It’s funny—I really wasn’t expecting the DEVO show to be one of those amazing, life-changing events, but it really was. It was better than Porcupine Tree, better than Toto, better than The Police and even better than Roger Waters. It was just the perfect combination of high-energy theatrics, goofy fun, absurdist humour and still-relevant social commentary that elevated it beyond anything else I’d experienced.

Anyway, I’d characterise the band and its members as being mainly INTP. Off the top of my head, I can’t give any clear argument for this observation, except to note the trademark NTP irreverence. Contrast this with any INTJ’s humour, which seems darker somehow (e.g. David Lynch or Roger Waters). INTPs just don’t seem to take themselves as seriously (though perhaps that’s not the reality).

It’s been expressed to me that INTJs and INTPs are almost indistinguishable. Not so! These two types often come to blows over dominant Ni and Ti butting heads. Ti is exacting in a very rational manner, demanding that nothing be left to chance; Ni, on the other hand, is a vision of piercing clarity that eschews explanation and actively fights against such rationality—this is maddening to INTPs.

Cue Brian Eno’s collaboration with DEVO on their first album. Eno, along with David Byrne, Robert Fripp, David Bowie and Steven Wilson all strike me as INTJs who work well together, but what happens when an Ni/Te producer works with a Ti/Ne band?

According to Wikipedia:

Eno is on record as describing one of Devo’s New York shows in 1979 as “the most exciting live performance I have ever seen”. However, the studio sessions did not proceed on such a positive note, with the band seemingly intent on replicating specific effects and arrangements from their demo recordings stretching back to 1974. Eno found this an obstacle to his famously intuitive and spontaneous way of working in the studio, and described the band as “anal”.

This, to me, perfectly captures the INTP/INTJ split. Indeed, INTPs are infamous for their pedantic nature, insisting on precision in communication—it drives everyone else crazy. On the other hand, the Ni methods employed by Eno (c.f. Bowie’s cut-up random lyric generation) strikes Ti as reckless and haphazard.

So there you go: INTJs and INTPs are like the matter and anti-matter of the art world.

Last night I saw DEVO, performing for the first time in Sydney in over 25 years.

Yes, DEVO, that gang of subversive geeks willing to mock everything sacred about American (and, by extension, Western) culture—those Spuds who preach that de-evolution is REAL!

Now, it should be noted that Monica and I always stumble into adventures when we’re out together. Sometimes it involves meeting Marcia Hines at the Police concert; other times, it involves the wheelchair dying on Enmore Road. If nothing else, it’s always an… interesting experience, and this night was no exception.

Firstly, at Mon’s suggestion, we didn’t park where I had originally intended. This (as you’ll see later) was a bit of luck.

As soon as we arrived, we had dinner at Cine, an Italian cafe in the Entertainment Quarter (formerly the Fox Studios Backlot)—pleasant enough, though nothing fantastic. The staff were very nice, however.

When we arrived at the Hordern Pavilion for the show, I made a beeline for the merch stand. I picked up a T-shirt, a poster, and (yes!) an Energy Dome (which was another bit of luck, but… oh, I’ll tell you later).

Anyway, the show…

eddy current suppression ring were the first act, a kind of geeky punk/garage rock band from Melbourne. Very good and they fit in well.

After that, we went in search of COFFEE! Yes, even Spuds need caffeination now and then. Unfortunately, we found none, but some guy offered to buy my Energy Dome from Monica, since they were now apparently sold out!

Next up was Regurgitator with a very fun set. Not much more to say about that, really, but they seemed to be in awe of the fact that they were supporting “the best fucking band in the world!” Mon was heaving during “I Will Lick Your Arsehole”, however—I have no idea why.

Finally, it was time for some De-Evolution! After the intro video, they got straight into a great set that hit all the highlights, including Booji Boy performing “Beautiful World”!!!

The setlist, by memory:

1. “That’s Good”
2. “Going Under”
3. “Peek-a-Boo!”
4. “Girl U Want”
5. “Whip It”
6. “Secret Agent Man”
7. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
8. “Uncontrollable Urge”
9. “Mongoloid”
10. “Blockhead”
11. “Jocko Homo”
12. “Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA”
13. “Gates of Steel”
14. “Devo Corporate Anthem” (on video)
15. “Freedom of Choice”
16. “Gut Feeling”
17. “Beautiful World” (performed by Booji Boy)

I really was not expecting a Booji Boy appearance last night—it was bloody amazing.

The boys only played for about 75 minutes with no encore, but that has to be the best show I’ve seen so far. Seriously. I’ve been a Devo fan for many years, but this has pushed me into the “hardcore” territory.

(The Toto show is probably on par, actually, but Devo are still fresh in my mind…)

After the show, we got coffee (finally!) at Gloria Jeans. (It should be noted that Monica was basically holding me up with this coffeehouse expedition, possibly due to watching one too many episodes of Friends, though I did gladly go along with it because my Spud-sense told me there was good reason to….)

It wasn’t until about 50 minutes after the show that we were actually making our way back to the van—the spot Mon had chosen—when…

There they were! Devo were just leaving the Hordern. The two Bob’s were signing some fans’ stuff, so, of course, I had to stop and join in.

I had a chat with Bob 1 and got him to sign my poster and Energy Dome (through the fence, no less). Then I met Mark Mothersbaugh and he signed my Energy Dome, too! Yes, the Energy Dome that was already sought after before being signed by the Mothersbaugh boys.

So there you have it: Monica’s coffee-house dithering and parking eccentricities got me to meet Devo. How often can you say that???

Photos

Devo on stage

Booji Boy

Bob 1

Mark Mothersbaugh

UPDATE! Bonus (Bad) Bootleg Video (but not by me)

Secret Agent Man

Uncontrollable Urge

Mongoloid

Jocko Homo

UPDATE 2! John Larkin has a great overview of the same show here.

Well, I submitted my final assignment for the semester this afternoon, and what was my reward? Discovering that Devo are playing in Sydney in August!

Devo would have to be my favourite New Wave/post-punk purveyors of subversive irony—I prefer the music of Talking Heads, honestly, but in terms of attitude and approach, Devo reflect my own sense of humour to a much greater degree. They’re like a group of deadpan “Weird Al” Yankovics, where you’re never 100% sure where the joke stops and the serious side begins.

So yes, I’m going to see Devo, damnit. Because Bob demands it!