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Thursday, 8 July, 2010 0:19 AM

Devo puts on a great show at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- On a Tuesday evening when the weather again proved it was through being cool, the Power Center in Ann Arbor became a spud social when new wave icons Devo whipped the multitudes through an hour and a half set.

The July 6 performance was only one stop on a national tour coinciding with last month’s release of the group’s first studio album in 20 years, Something for Everybody.

The gig began in a manner reminiscent of the group’s original message, with a montage representing their chaotic video devolution.

In good fashion, Devo exploded into their set with their new album’s fourth track, “Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)”. The opener reflected the frenetic dance style that marks much of Something for Everybody, with the set’s first fifth also featuring other new cuts like the socially critical “What We Do” and the equally electric “Fresh.”

Having accomplished the mission of coaxing the audience into swaying and stomping to the newer trio, they would finally gain complete control by drawing a mob at the stage’s edge with the opening beats of “That’s Good” (in fact, apologies were made to several attendees knicked by a bag after being caught up in the beats of “Whip It”). From there the future became then and now as the spudboys launched into their more energetic hits.

Again and again, Devo were able to attract fans back onto their feet through pre-song buildup, be it a work-out routine at the start of “Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA” or using the “Star-Spangled Banner” to lead into “Freedom of Choice” (which the band lamented was disappearing fast).

Whatever vegetating thoughts existed that questioned the group’s ability to still (fully) grasp a comer’s awe after so many years were fried with the deafening replies to the equally repeated inquiry: “Are we not men?”

Closing out the set of 18 songs (excluding the “Corporate Anthem,” of course) was “Beautiful World,” which would be marked by the guest appearance of that man-child of man-children, Booji Boy. Pointing out that Devo’s first major video “Jocko Homo” debuted at the 1976 Ann Arbor Film Festival, Booji commented on how it’s success eventually lead to a chance encounter with Michael Jackson. It would be appropriate with Booji’s nature that he bid farewell by bouncing rubber balls of the stage.

At the show’s conclusion, the speed and excitement that Devo exhibited seemed like a letdown upon realizing it was only 9:30 p.m. It was as if there could have been room for many more rockers if not shakers that didn’t make the setlist.

In the end, perhaps that’s what makes the night such a successful by leaving fans to anticipate the next nearby appearance. Just as the saying goes: love without anger isn’t love at all.

Despite 90-degree nastiness and tickets going for a minimum $50 (plus flowerpot hats going for $30!), the satire and speed of General Boy’s minions insured no restraint in age when it comes to providing a timeout for fun to everyone.

For more information on Devo, visit www.clubdevo.com.