When Devo was at its peak nearly 30 years ago, founding members Gerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh sublimated their political ire into biting social commentary. At the time, the bands ironic restraint and knack for humorously-tinged performance art worked in favor of the furious undercurrent blazing beneath the music, and the fact that Devos work didnt explicitly announce its motivations only bolstered the power of the message, which was, more or less that human civilization is devolving before our very eyes. (Hence the bandname.) Casale and Mothersbaugh were both present during the infamous 1970 Kent State shootings, and Casale cites the incident both as a crucial turning point in his life and as the seed of discontent on which the band was formed. And, while Devos run on a major label may have constituted a small coup, the fact is the band learned quickly that it wasnt going to be able to undermine the ruthless corporate machinery it. All ages. SABY REYES-KULKARNI
Sun., Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.; Mon., Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m., 2009
