another bought when it came out . . . . . but not the first 'Devo' single by any means and perhaps their most commercial single ('Whip it'? 'Working In A Coalmine'? . . . well alright) but bought the ethereally strange 'Jocko Homo' which though I bought when I first heard it is the strangest track ever committed to vinyl in some oddly personal way. From the album 'Q: Are We Not Men A: We are Devo!' which I bought too and only the extraordinarily uncomfortable 'Mongoloid' sticks in the craw now (still). Was this satire about a society that mocks the afflicted or was this something more sinister, either way it has come real and the attacks on the disabled and the mentally ill have become a regularly reported atrocious sign of the times.  The band's message is a diatribe if one were needed (it was back then) that the nations were dumbing down so fast we were de-evolving back into a redneck bunch of knuckle dragging mouth breathing bottom feeding Neanderthals picking on the weak and the vulnerable and the Devil take the hindmost (ring any bells? strike a resonance today? ) 

On this day in music history: August 28, 1978 - “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!”, the debut album by Devo is released. Produced by Brian Eno, it is recorded at Conny’s Studio in Köln, Germany and Different Fur Studios in San Francisco, CA from October 1977 - February 1978. The groundbreaking first album by the Akron, OH based new wave band quickly establish their unique sound and visual image. The band record the album with producer Brian Eno before they are actually signed to a record label. Their demo tape is heard by David Bowie and Iggy Pop (by way of Tin Huey bassist Michael Aylward’s wife). After seeing Devo perform in New York, an excited Bowie initially plans to produce their album, but scheduling conflicts prevent him from taking more than a minor role in its creation. Working with Bowie during this period, Eno steps in and takes over the main production duties, financing the project himself. The album is anchored by their innovative cover of The Rolling Stones “Satisfaction”, which earn the band a large and loyal fan base. The albums iconic cover art features a caricature of pro golfing legend Chi Chi Rodríguez. In 2009, when “Q: Are We Not Men?” is reissued by Rhino Records (on CD and clear yellow vinyl), Devo performs it live in its entirety when they embark on a tour to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of its release. The CD edition also includes a live performance of the complete album recorded at the HMV Forum in London in May of 2009. “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” peaks at number seventy eight on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Gold by in the US by the RIAA.