
I found a nice copy of Devo's first EP, a collection of independent singles released on the Stiff Records label in 1977, entitled
Be Stiff (or possibly
B Stiff) yesterday at the
Providence Rock 'n' Roll Yard Sale. The event continues today (November 8th), so if you are in the area stop by and check out the vinyl goods, crafts, and aging hipsters carrying their babies around the vaguely unwholesome environment.
Be Stiff is a nice reminder of what a great band Devo really was/is. The EP contains early, possibly superior, versions of four songs that appeared on their first album, along with two tracks that didn't. The spud boys from Akron's robotic take on the Stones' "Satisfaction" remains one of the great moments in rock history, even if the Residents did it first.
Speaking of rare spuds, Devo's two most popular albums,
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo and
Freedom of Choice, have recently been given the deluxe reissue treatment.
Both albums have also been reissued on LP (on colored vinyl). Oddly, nothing from this great EP appears on either deluxe edition as bonus tracks. I have no word on whether there will be deluxe reissues of the Devo leisure suits originally made available by mail order with
Freedom Of Choice, but I promise to keep you informed if I hear any news.
Lord help us all if the music industry ever reaches such an advanced state of Devolution that we see a deluxe reissue of
Shout.
Update: Devo
leisure suits are indeed available at Devo's
website, so you can still protect yourself from dangerous human elements and stay cool during meltdowns. For spuds with spare change there is also an
Ultra Devo-lux Ltd. Edition reissue of the two albums with lots of other goodies.