Many significant (and highly entertaining) moments of Trailer Park are throwbacks to the '80s—including
a reference to Devo.
Mainly active during the late 1970s and '80s, the band Devo’s
music ranges from punk and post-punk to new wave, electronica and synth-pop. Wearing iconic clone-type jumpsuits, their robotic
moves and repetitive (and sometimes discordant) music reflected their
philosophy: that people were becoming increasingly de-humanized and
machinelike. In fact, Devo’s name came from
the band’s view that society was “de-evolving,” as individuals succumbed to the
pressure to conform and repressed their emotions.
Devo’s most popular hit is the single “Whip It.” It came out in 1980, and while it only
reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song received widespread
airplay and has become a cult classic. Pioneers
in the music video genre, their video was quickly picked up by the newly
created MTV channel.
The music video of “Whip It” lends itself to an S&M
interpretation, but the video was actually made after the popular misconception
that the song had a sadomasochistic message had taken hold. When examined, the songs lyrics reflect the
band’s cynical view of society, mocking how Americans often resort to violence
to solve their problems (i.e., overcome adversity and claw their way to the top).
Devo mixed theatrical performances and their subversive political
philosophy with cutting-edge technological experimentation and clever
engineering to achieve a cult following.
Members of Devo have been involved in many diverse projects—including commercials,
movies and television shows like Rugrats—and
the band is still around today.
Sources:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul08/articles/classitracks_0708.htm
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=722
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