Yep, as a 51 year old drummer, Alan Myers was a bad ass. Just tap your foot to the bass drum beat of "Girl U Want" if you ever question how great he was.
Devo was the sort of band that when you get down to it embodied the punk ethos but without falling into the stereotype of what punk looks/sounds like. Most people had no idea what to make of them then, or even now.
very few people know that Mark andJohnny Rotten are the best of friends and Johnny even asked to become part of Devo after the Pistols broke up ... most people believe its a legend but it isn't ...
I completely agree... the musical documentary or collection or whatever you want to call it that this clip is from isfull of underrated bands ( although a small handful of overrated ones too) caught it by happenstance on IFC years ago and found it to be a fantastic documentation of one of the last generations of true experimentation and creativity
@@thislazylife I know what it is ... My mother took me me and my sister to The Brook Theatre to see it when it was released... I worded my comment in the manner that I did because despite capturing some great performances from an exciting period in music it doesn't have the depth of its piers such as "The Decline Of Western Civilization" where you see the way the artists lived in-depth in between the performances ... This gave perspective to those who lived outside it ... Urgh was also a showcase for IRS and A&M records and their subsidiaries so it can technically be considered a two hour advertisement.
@@jeffneiss7679 Cool mom! Decline is a classic! I have the soundtrack on vinyl. I agree on the Urgh-as-advertisent angle, but I don't mind because IRS had some great bands on their label. Plus, Urgh has Pere Ubu, Chelsea, Gary Numan, etc. Some of my faves. I used to work at a video store and put Urgh on almost every night. Also, I'm guessing we're about the same age, born in '67.
Gerald Casale really has his ego under control. He was a lot of the brains for the ideas behind the band but he let Mothersbaugh take a lot of the spotlight. Casale knew what a great frontman Mothersbaugh was and didn't let his own ego get in the way of the band being as good as it was.
I never felt Jerry was a big-ego guy....I've watched him in dozens of Devo interviews since 1979. He a very intelligent guy, humble and well thought out....articulate and artsy. He's a pleasure to watch, and usually puts forth a great effort in interviews. Jerry was a helluva bassist too....try replicating his moves and sing/play at the same time. It's brutal to do. Very talented man with a lot of depth. But Mark brought different strengths to the team, like Lennon/McCartney did. Mark's superior vocal range (and perhaps image visually - nerdy with the prescription glasses) were probably the reasons he sang more lead. Both of them worked wonders with lyrics~! I always thought Mark was a hard interview at times (not always). I think both of them hated doing interviews with stupid people who had no clue about the Devo philosophy & approach to music. And rightly so...it can be insulting when people think you are a "gimmick band with flower pots on your head". LOL..I'd walk off~!
I saw them at the Fox theater in Detroit in '82. I wasn't prepared to be impressed because I was into hardcore punk by then, but it was seriously the most entertaining concert I've ever been to. They knew how to incorporate video into their performance.
Who disliked this video man?This must be the best Devo's song,great performance,pure energy,they are pop icons,even if you don't like'em,your idols do!
people are preoccupied with dislikes lol I mean it's social media - I guess they prefer no no no no no over yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah 😂 Yes it's a great song
Going to Devo TONIGHT (11/7/23) at the Paramount in Seattle - this video was my first introduction to them in 1983 when I was 14 years old via "Urgh! A music war" on "Night Flight". Wow I'm dated.. :)
in the last two weeks ive watched so many devo live performances. shame most people will only ever know Whip It. They played their hearts out with maximum energy!
I just bought this DVD (Urgh, a Music War) on Amazon. Saw the movie in Austin Tx when it came out. This was the music we listened to back then. It was (is!) awesome.
Just saw them yesterday at "the observatory" in southern California... They sound just as the studio album. What a show!!! I ended up with Mark's "energy drone" (hat) and a sleeve of his yellow suit after this song.
Just shows their professionalism they displayed on their SNL performance. Definitely a great band that knew how to put on a show. And years before the term they invented Branding. Even if you’ve never heard them you know the flowerpot hat.
The 80s DEFINITELY had the best music ever!!! There were SO many genres with AWESOME music like Big Hair Bands aka Glam Metal, Heavy Metal, Electronic, New Wave, Gothic, Hard Rock, Soft Rock, Ska, Dance Pop, and much, much more that I know I am forgetting about for the moment. Sad to say Even Country, and Rap was cool. That was before Gangster cRap ruined race relations for decades to come. :-/
As for Alan Myer's reputation for precise timing - I particularly like this observation from Brian Eno and David Byrne's "Oblique Stategies" set of inspiration cards: "Repetition is a constant form of change".
Quartered in England this live concert was quartered in England called ERG a music board double album in 1980 was put out the police a lot of good bands it was a punk rock war and it was great what an album get the album if you can it's hard to get it's called Erica music war that's what this recording from Devo playing at that concert
This was Devo's greatest performance of any song anywhere during their entire career! Try and get this kind of raw energy out of the gutless bullshit rap or boy band crap that's shoved down our throats these days. The talent pool has completely dried up!
![DEVO- "Jerkin' Back 'N' Forth"/Interview 1982 [Reelin' In The Years Archives]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5alca90qqPo/mqdefault.jpg)
More proof of how great a drummer Alan Myers was.
Yep, as a 51 year old drummer, Alan Myers was a bad ass. Just tap your foot to the bass drum beat of "Girl U Want" if you ever question how great he was.
Right??
dude alan is amazing, simple yet technically Marvelous. Devo Rocks
I believe John Bonham said Alan was his favorite drummer
@@franklinrussell3042 No kidding. Is that a fact? I am prepared to believe it. The first Devo record was perfectly played / recorded.
Devo was the sort of band that when you get down to it embodied the punk ethos but without falling into the stereotype of what punk looks/sounds like. Most people had no idea what to make of them then, or even now.
we called it "new wave."
very few people know that Mark andJohnny Rotten are the best of friends and Johnny even asked to become part of Devo after the Pistols broke up ... most people believe its a legend but it isn't ...
Love DEVO, they're like the cool kids at the nerd table.
The nerd kids at the cool table bud
Other way around
August 20, 1980. California Theater in San Diego. Still have the ticket stub.
My 2 best friends and I went dressed in our "spudwear", I kept my stub until my divorce...lost it for good. Great show, huh.
This is the definitive performance of Uncontrollable Urge. No question. It's perfect. They're beyond amazing.
Devo is so underrated its a shame.
I completely agree... the musical documentary or collection or whatever you want to call it that this clip is from isfull of underrated bands ( although a small handful of overrated ones too) caught it by happenstance on IFC years ago and found it to be a fantastic documentation of one of the last generations of true experimentation and creativity
Sadly way, way ahead of their time.
@@jeffneiss7679 Urgh! A Music War. Doc released in the early 80's.
@@thislazylife I know what it is ... My mother took me me and my sister to The Brook Theatre to see it when it was released... I worded my comment in the manner that I did because despite capturing some great performances from an exciting period in music it doesn't have the depth of its piers such as "The Decline Of Western Civilization" where you see the way the artists lived in-depth in between the performances ... This gave perspective to those who lived outside it ... Urgh was also a showcase for IRS and A&M records and their subsidiaries so it can technically be considered a two hour advertisement.
@@jeffneiss7679 Cool mom! Decline is a classic! I have the soundtrack on vinyl. I agree on the Urgh-as-advertisent angle, but I don't mind because IRS had some great bands on their label. Plus, Urgh has Pere Ubu, Chelsea, Gary Numan, etc. Some of my faves. I used to work at a video store and put Urgh on almost every night.
Also, I'm guessing we're about the same age, born in '67.
Gerald Casale really has his ego under control. He was a lot of the brains for the ideas behind the band but he let Mothersbaugh take a lot of the spotlight. Casale knew what a great frontman Mothersbaugh was and didn't let his own ego get in the way of the band being as good as it was.
Gerald is my cousin. That's very nice what you wrote. I agree!
Mark Mothersbaugh is my husband's friend. Mark did compose a lot of the music and continued to compose for soundtracks for TV series and movies.
its a shame they both hate each other now
@@InfiniteRhombus ......OMG really?? What happened???
I never felt Jerry was a big-ego guy....I've watched him in dozens of Devo interviews since 1979. He a very intelligent guy, humble and well thought out....articulate and artsy. He's a pleasure to watch, and usually puts forth a great effort in interviews. Jerry was a helluva bassist too....try replicating his moves and sing/play at the same time. It's brutal to do. Very talented man with a lot of depth. But Mark brought different strengths to the team, like Lennon/McCartney did. Mark's superior vocal range (and perhaps image visually - nerdy with the prescription glasses) were probably the reasons he sang more lead. Both of them worked wonders with lyrics~! I always thought Mark was a hard interview at times (not always). I think both of them hated doing interviews with stupid people who had no clue about the Devo philosophy & approach to music. And rightly so...it can be insulting when people think you are a "gimmick band with flower pots on your head". LOL..I'd walk off~!
If I could magically transport myself back in time and watch a concert from the past in person...This one would be one of my top picks!
I saw them at the Fox theater in Detroit in '82. I wasn't prepared to be impressed because I was into hardcore punk by then, but it was seriously the most entertaining concert I've ever been to. They knew how to incorporate video into their performance.
There were just brilliant Super tight too They sounded like a sequencer before they were invented .
DEVO will always kick ass from here to eternity......
200 hundred years from now the humans roaming the earth will love their tight, uplifting sound !!!!
Aliens will land on Earth and after listening to Devo will start asking themselves :"are we not men ?"
I was virtually there at 12 years of age.
Who disliked this video man?This must be the best Devo's song,great performance,pure energy,they are pop icons,even if you don't like'em,your idols do!
people are preoccupied with dislikes lol I mean it's social media - I guess they prefer no no no no no over yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah 😂
Yes it's a great song
very first concert i went to thanks to my buddies i worked with at pizza haven 1980 bought me tickets for my 18th birthday
Iconic band worthy of being in the RRHOF!! 🎹🥁🎸
Major band for me. Don't break thew rules, use your own! And execute them well. That was the lesson for me.
"It's time to look for new traditions." -- General Boy
Going to Devo TONIGHT (11/7/23) at the Paramount in Seattle - this video was my first introduction to them in 1983 when I was 14 years old via "Urgh! A music war" on "Night Flight". Wow I'm dated.. :)
in the last two weeks ive watched so many devo live performances. shame most people will only ever know Whip It. They played their hearts out with maximum energy!
There should always be a Devo
We lost a great drummer. He really was a "human metronome". Rest in peace Alan.
They were RIGHT so many years ago! To THIS Day, 2023043, We continue to DEVOLVE as a Society. You're Welcome.
Very sad that he is gone,...but I SO REJOICE that he WAS HERE!
They were so ahead of their time. LOL!
They're still really cool.
40 years Devo die hard fan
Here we are, 2020, and this song is still killer!!
omg... what a tune|||| i remember this from yrs agp
They are gr8
Also Rift Apart brought me here!
its the best of devo Uncontrollable Urge
this was like taking a math test, and the answers were already filled in
Good sound on a live performance. Excellent!
Pure Genius. There's nothing more you say.
pure, unfiltered 100 percent awesomeness
Tops! Devo was so good here. This is real music!
Diva was so underrated it's scary! I saw a lot of bands when I was young but they were by far the tightest band I've ever seen live in my entire life
I just bought this DVD (Urgh, a Music War) on Amazon. Saw the movie in Austin Tx when it came out. This was the music we listened to back then. It was (is!) awesome.
DeV0 were so friggin good!
Ive had this song stuck in my head for a few days and I have that album.
Best band ever
My fave live Devo song, thanks for posting. :)
Imho, the best performance from “Urgh! A Music War”, with XTC’s “Respectable Street” a close second.
I'm taking it you didn't see Klaus Nomi and The Cramps then?
@@mournblade1066 +Dks , Gary Numan, GoGos...this was a who's who.
The Cramps Tear it Up is freaking awesome
The fleshtones too - highly overlooked band
Couple Devo - Uncontrollable Urge with: X - Beyond And Back
Those are the moments that stay with me from that album.
FUCKING ROCKSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really should buy this movie.
Hats off to the late Bob Casale and Alan Myers.
Holy crap! I had no idea they died! When did it happen?
Bob Casale died on February 17 of this year, and Alan Myers on June 24 last year. Great musicians, great loss.
Dude, that was hard-core gangster shit.
I worked at a record store back then and I think I played this song on every shift!
1:48 --As pure a moment in punk rock as you could ask for.
I don't know, but right now, thanks to you, I've got a tiny Led Zeppelin in my head just tearing this one up and wearing it out!
Keep pluggin em! It may catch on 30+ years later... But, who cares? I love it!
They did a great live show, with variety and energy!
Awesome!
The most distinct band ever
the best
You did. They were great in concert. So glad I got to see them live.
Alan--- best new wave drummer bar none
Great concept,great outfits,and a pool of great songs.This is my fave.
Never judge a person by there looks. SONG ROCKS
DEVO GREAT BAND, Good sound on a live performance. Excellent!, Recuerdo la buena musica de los setentas
Kids these days could b inspired by this 2021 🏴☠️😎🤘🤘
Just saw them yesterday at "the observatory" in southern California... They sound just as the studio album. What a show!!! I ended up with Mark's "energy drone" (hat) and a sleeve of his yellow suit after this song.
DEVO!!!!!!
RIP, Bob
For those who are into mainstream , get some of this in your life!
Just shows their professionalism they displayed on their SNL performance. Definitely a great band that knew how to put on a show. And years before the term they invented Branding. Even if you’ve never heard them you know the flowerpot hat.
i played in a power pop group called the Don Hodads and we always ended with this song..
This is On my way! Of their best shows...of only they where in yellow...
The 80s DEFINITELY had the best music ever!!!
There were SO many genres with AWESOME music like Big Hair Bands aka Glam Metal, Heavy Metal, Electronic, New Wave, Gothic, Hard Rock, Soft Rock, Ska, Dance Pop, and much, much more that I know I am forgetting about for the moment.
Sad to say Even Country, and Rap was cool. That was before Gangster cRap ruined race relations for decades to come. :-/
never again will there ever be an organization such as devo
As for Alan Myer's reputation for precise timing - I particularly like this observation from Brian Eno and David Byrne's "Oblique Stategies" set of inspiration cards: "Repetition is a constant form of change".
Idolos máximos!!! Tremendo DEVO!!! Como no los he visto nunca diooooos D: puufff :(
The best
Devo predicted the future an we as a human race are devolving
no internet, no cellphone...what is the future? there in not fate
GUAAAAA YA YAYAYAAA YAYAAAAAAAA GENIALLLLL
Little did they know they were about to become a “hit” band!
Most people think this song is the theme song to Ridiculousness and know nothing about Devo... that's so Sad.
Quartered in England this live concert was quartered in England called ERG a music board double album in 1980 was put out the police a lot of good bands it was a punk rock war and it was great what an album get the album if you can it's hard to get it's called Erica music war that's what this recording from Devo playing at that concert
Devo it's the best
This was Devo's greatest performance of any song anywhere during their entire career! Try and get this kind of raw energy out of the gutless bullshit rap or boy band crap that's shoved down our throats these days. The talent pool has completely dried up!
They weren't just some kind of a novelty act that faded away. Devo had staying power.
FUCKING ROCKS SAW THEM LIVE A COUPLE YEARS AGO NO CHANGE THEY STILL FUCKING ROCK THEY DE-EVOLVE SLOWER THAN THE REST CAUSE OF THEIR HATS!
SENSACIONAL....
Epic.....
EPIC
I'd like to know what those 13 people didn't like about this?!? How did they even get here?
+Scott Magee Rotten spuds.
Never found that real tomato.
I am actually an unknown cousin of Booji ...
whoa! cool early wireless with antenna attachment to the Shure 58...I want one...
Oh, that DEVO!
Beginning guitar riff sounds like the keyboard intro to Zep's "Misty Mountain Hop" but totally original. Nothing bit compliments
At 0:18 the dude with the Vuarnets and the tongue has definitely been sniffin' the nose candy...ah the good old '80s.
pissed and drunk!!! good copmbo!!! yaaaaa!
R.I.P Alan Myers
Dope!
The "whoa" they do at 1:15 and 2:14 sounds so cool!
It's Mark running the keys on his keyboard.
I'd like to see the rest of the set from the movie.
00:17 The guy with the ticket!
That one episode of Fantasy Factory is why I'm here
Great!! I have a vinyl
W.O.W.! : )
Sounds like the theme to " ridiculousness"