Mechanical Man EP
Encyclopedia
Mechanical Man is a semi-official EP by New Wave
musicians Devo
, released in 1978. It includes four 4-track basement demos by the band, recorded before they were signed to a record contract with Warner Bros. Records
.
Opinions differ as to the legitimacy of the EP, with some sources considering it a bootleg. "Club Devo" webmaster Michael Pilmer states that it was a "fake bootleg" produced by Virgin Records
and included with some copies of the band's debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
in the United Kingdom
.
The EP was a 7" 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.
compilations Hardcore Devo: Volume One
and Volume Two
. "Mechanical Man" is an edited version starting at 1:01 of the released version, "Clockout" is labeled as "Blackout" and "Auto-Modown" includes "Space Girl Blues".
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
musicians Devo
Devo
Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
, released in 1978. It includes four 4-track basement demos by the band, recorded before they were signed to a record contract with Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
.
Opinions differ as to the legitimacy of the EP, with some sources considering it a bootleg. "Club Devo" webmaster Michael Pilmer states that it was a "fake bootleg" produced by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
and included with some copies of the band's debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
Question: Are We Not Men? Answer: We Are Devo!
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! is the debut album by the American new wave music band Devo. Produced by Brian Eno, it was recorded primarily in Cologne, Germany and released in the U.S. by Warner Bros. Records company in 1978....
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
The EP was a 7" 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.
Availability
Although the Mechanical Man EP has never had a proper CD release, all but one track ("Blockhead") were re-released on the RykodiscRykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
compilations Hardcore Devo: Volume One
Hardcore Devo: Volume One
Hardcore Devo: Volume One is the first of two collections of demos released by the post-punk/new wave band Devo. It is currently out of print.-Overview:...
and Volume Two
Hardcore Devo: Volume Two
Hardcore Devo: Volume Two is the second collection of demos released by the post-punk/new wave band Devo. It is currently out of print.-Overview:...
. "Mechanical Man" is an edited version starting at 1:01 of the released version, "Clockout" is labeled as "Blackout" and "Auto-Modown" includes "Space Girl Blues".
Side one
- "Mechanical Man" (Mark MothersbaughMark MothersbaughMark Allen Mothersbaugh is an American musician, composer, singer and painter. He is the co-founder of the new wave band Devo and has been its lead singer since 1972. His other musical projects include work for television series, films, and video games....
) - 3:20 - "Blockhead" (Bob MothersbaughBob MothersbaughRobert Leroy "Bob" Mothersbaugh, Jr.,, or "Bob 1", is the lead guitar player and occasional vocalist for Devo and younger brother of lead vocalist Mark Mothersbaugh...
/Mark Mothersbaugh) - 3:08
Personnel
- Bob Casale - rhythm guitar, additional keyboards, occasional backing vocals
- Gerald V. Casale - bass guitar, additional keyboards, lead vocals
- Bob MothersbaughBob MothersbaughRobert Leroy "Bob" Mothersbaugh, Jr.,, or "Bob 1", is the lead guitar player and occasional vocalist for Devo and younger brother of lead vocalist Mark Mothersbaugh...
- lead guitar, backing vocals - Jim MothersbaughJim MothersbaughJim Mothersbaugh was the second drummer for Devo, replacing Rod Reisman who only played for a single show. Jim joined Devo with his older brothers, Bob and Mark.Jim appears on several early Devo demos...
- electronic drums - Mark MothersbaughMark MothersbaughMark Allen Mothersbaugh is an American musician, composer, singer and painter. He is the co-founder of the new wave band Devo and has been its lead singer since 1972. His other musical projects include work for television series, films, and video games....
- keyboards, occasional guitar, lead vocals - Alan Myers - drums