Mark Mothersbaugh

<p>The lead singer and keyboardist for Devo, Mark Mothersbaugh, is an avant-garde, new wave pioneer. Although critics sometimes classify Devo as a joke band, the Akron, Ohio art-punks’ ethos was created in response to a very serious event—the 1970 shooting at their college, Kent State. Following the incident, the band took on the name “Devo,” short for what they felt was organized society’s “de-evolution.”</p> <p>Throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s Devo helped lay the groundwork for DIY, anti-establishment bands by releasing bizarre and left-of-center music and conceptual films that helped usher in the music video revolution.</p> <p>In addition to his work with Devo, Mark Mothersbaugh has also created a long and successful career scoring for TV and film. His credits include, <em data-stringify-type="italic">Pee-Wee’s Playhouse</em>, <em data-stringify-type="italic">The Rugrats</em> TV show and movies, and he’s scored several classic Wes Anderson-directed films including <em data-stringify-type="italic">The Royal Tenenbaums</em> and <em data-stringify-type="italic">Rushmore</em>.</p> <p>On today’s episode Justin Richmond talks to Mark Mothersbaugh about how he developed his quirky sensibility as one of five kids growing up in a chaotic household with exotic animals. Mark also tells a story about the time Richard Branson suggested that Johnny Rotten join Devo after the Sex Pistols broke up.</p> <p>You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Mark Mothersbaugh songs <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6L8C95i0CK1gCUklXchJ4t?si=b7c0058b0be04bd1&amp;nd=1">HERE</a>.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>