Mechanical Man is an EP by the American new wave band Devo, released in 1978 by Elevator Records. It includes four 4-track basement demos by the band, recorded before they were signed to a record contract with Warner Bros. Records.
| Mechanical Man EP | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 1978 | |||
| Recorded | 1975–1976 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 13:48 | |||
| Label | Elevator Records | |||
| Producer | Devo | |||
| Devo chronology | ||||
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Background
editThe EP was a 7-inch single housed in a plain sleeve that came in a variety of colors including pink, blue, red, yellow and green. Most EP sleeves were numbered on the back, although the exact number of EPs pressed is unknown.[1]
Opinions differ as to the legitimacy of the EP, with some sources considering it a bootleg.[2] In a Trouser Press article on the band dating from January 1979, Cole Springer refers to it as a bootleg of British origin.[3] However, Devo webmaster and archivist Michael Pilmer later stated that it was produced by Virgin Records and included with some copies of the band's 1978 debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! in the United Kingdom.[1] In 2023, Devo member Gerald Casale said that the songs were "the five tracks we were most excited about at the time".[2]
"Blackout" was later known as "Clockout" and "Auto-Modown" includes the unlisted track "Space Girl Blues".[citation needed]
Recording
editThe tracks "Mechanical Man" and "Auto-Modown" were recorded in 1975, when the band was a quartet and Jim Mothersbaugh was their drummer.[4] "Blackout" was recorded in 1976, when Bob Casale had joined and Alan Myers had replaced Jim.[5]
Reissue
editIn 2023, Electronic Sound magazine repressed a limited edition of the Mechanical Man EP on yellow 7-inch vinyl and offered it as a bundle with issue 103, a 100-page celebration of Devo's 50th anniversary.[2] The bundle became their fastest-selling issue ever, quickly selling out on the website, and the magazine later made a poster of the cover available for sale.[6]
Track listing
editSide one
- "Mechanical Man" (Mark Mothersbaugh) – 3:27
- "Blockhead" (Bob Mothersbaugh, M. Mothersbaugh) – 3:08
Side two
- "Blackout" (Gerald V. Casale) – 3:11
- "Auto-Modown" (G.V. Casale) – 3:51
Personnel
editInstrumental credits adapted from liner notes of 2013 Superior Viaduct reissues of Hardcore Devo: Volume One (1990)[4] and Hardcore Devo: Volume Two (1991).[5] Credits for "Blockhead" cannot be confirmed.
Devo
- Mark Mothersbaugh – synthesizers; vocals (A1)
- Gerald V. Casale – bass guitar (A1, B1, B2), vocals (B1, B2)
- Bob Mothersbaugh – guitar (A1, B1, B2)
- Jim Mothersbaugh – drums (A1, B2)
- Bob Casale – additional guitar (B1)
- Alan Myers – drums (B1)
Technical
- Devo (as "Mechanical Man") – producers
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Pilmer, Michael. "Mechanical Man". Devo Obsesso.
- ^ a b c "Issue 103 — Electronic Sound". Electronic Sound. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Springer, Cole (January 1979). "YES!". Trouser Press. No. 35. p. 15.
- ^ a b Devo (2013). Hardcore Volume 1 (LP liner notes). San Francisco: Superior Viaduct. SV024.
- ^ a b Devo (2013). Hardcore Volume 2 (LP liner notes). San Francisco: Superior Viaduct. SV025.
- ^ "ES103 Devo AS Poster — Electronic Sound". Electronic Sound. Retrieved July 18, 2023.