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Devo Rocks Belly-Up This Week. Video At Right Now...Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso Reporting
DEVO performs "Uncontrollable Urge" in Solana Beach, CA - 3/20/11. Video shot by Michael Pilmer/Devo-Obsesso. For more visit here or contact michael@devo-obsesso.com.
DEVO's lyrics exposed me to a whole new way of thinking when I was in my teens, and helped me snake through the chaos of Planet Earth. I realized that there was an escape from being caught up in what I saw going on around me, another way of thinking that made more sense. I saw the light - We're ALL Devo.
I was able to meet the members of DEVO way back in the mid 1990's, and helped them with a few graphic projects as a hobby in those days. I now work for DEVO, Inc. on an official basis, and maintain several DEVO-related sites: Devo-Obsesso.com (of course),Club DEVO (Official DEVO site), DEVO's Myspace Page,Mutato Muzika's web site, & Mark Mothersbaugh's Art Gallery Tours.
“Thirty years ago, people said that we were cynical, that we had a bad attitude,” says Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh. “But now, when you ask people if de-evolution is real, they understand that there was something to what we were saying. It’s not the kind of thing you want to see proven right, but it does make it easier to talk about.”
“The world is in sync with Devo,” says his band-mate and co-writer Gerald Casale. “We’re not the guys who freak people out and scare them—we’re like the house band on the Titanic, entertaining everybody as we go down.”
And so, now is the time. More than three decades after the release of its visionary debut, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo, and a full 20 years since its last studio album, Devo is back with the aptly titled Something for Everybody. The long rumored, wildly anticipated album (which was launched with a memorable performance in Vancouver at the Winter Olympics) features the band’s classic line-up—Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, Gerald and Bob Casale—joined by drummer Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Guns n’ Roses). Produced by Greg Kurstin (The Bird & The Bee), the album also includes contributions from John Hill and Santi White (better known as hip-hop star Santigold), John King of the Dust Brothers, and the Teddybears.
Though the 12 songs on Something for Everybody are built on Devo’s signature mechanized swing, the recording and presentation of the album saw the band experimenting with an entirely new approach. Greg Scholl was brought in to serve as COO for Devo, Inc., and—working with the advertising agency Mother LA—conducted a series of studies through the www.clubdevo.com site to help the band with its creative decisions, from color selection to song mixes.
“We decided to actively seek comment and criticism from outside people and use that as a tool, rather than shunning or ignoring it,” says Gerald Casale. “Our experiences participating in secondary creativity—things like corporate consensus building, focus groups—make you appreciate the connection that an artist has to society.”
“In the past, Devo was very insular,” says Mark Mothersbaugh. “This time, I became intrigued with the idea of having people who understood Devo actually work on the songs, and to do to our songs what we did to ‘Satisfaction’ on our first record. Don’t put any boundaries on their production style, let them bring what they needed to make Devo be what it should be after waking up from suspended animation for 20 years.”
His revelation came when the Teddybears did a remix of the song “Watch Us Work It,” an idea initiated by the Mother agency. “They took Josh Freese’s drums off and put on a sample from something we did back in, like, 1982. And I thought, ‘That actually is better!’ That was when I first really saw that Devo had something to absorb, as well as something to impart.”
Certainly Devo has had plenty to convey since Gerald Casale founded the group in Akron, Ohio, in 1973. The band was an extension of a multi-media exploration of the concept that mankind’s progress had ceased, and the process of de-evolution had begun. Devo’s early work caught the attention of such icons as Neil Young and David Bowie, and, with such hits as “Whip It” and “Girl U Want,” and the accompanying, revolutionary music videos, the group became one of the defining acts of the 1980s.
Devo’s sound, style, and philosophy have been an influence on artists from Rage Against the Machine to Lady Gaga. Kurt Cobain once said, “Of all the bands who came from the underground and actually made it in the mainstream, Devo is the most challenging and subversive of all.”
In 1990, Devo morphed from a recording and concert act to putting more focus on individual pursuits and various creative enterprises. Mark Mothersbaugh, along with brother Bob, and Bob Casale, began making music for films and television, working on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse and Rugrats and the movies of Wes Anderson. Gerald Casale directed scores of commercials and music videos for the likes of Miller Lite Beer and Mrs. Butterworth’s to Rush, The Foo Fighters, and Soundgarden respectively. (“Everything we’ve done outside of Devo is basically a permutation on the theme we started with,” says Mark Mothersbaugh.) Meanwhile, Devo’s music remained a staple in movies, commercials, and videogames.
After appearing sporadically in concert and working on 2006’s Devo 2.0 project—with kids providing the vocals to Devo songs—the band began the stop-and-start project of making new music. “It was now or never,” says Gerald Casale. “We’re all still alive, and we can all play and sing—probably better than we ever did in the past. These new songs, like ’Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)’ or ‘What We Do,’ are as Devo as anything Devo has ever done.”
Especially notable on Something for Everybody is the focus its songs bring to the vapid absurdity of so much contemporary speech (don’t miss the closing wail of “Don’t tase me, bro!” on “Don’t Shoot”). Mark Mothersbaugh points out that, for all the attention usually given to Devo’s funky robot sound, this has always been a central aspect of its work.
“We grew up in a time when we saw hippies become hip capitalists, when the real punks truly destroyed themselves, and we came to the conclusion that rebellion was obsolete,” he says. “We saw subversion as the most successful form of change, so we always had an attraction to loaded phrases that you can reshape and subvert to fit your own needs.”
Gerald Casale adds that Devo really was looking at today’s world when writing the new songs. “The tautology of a line like ‘What we do is what we do’ is taken straight from hip-hop,” he says. “And words like ‘bro’ and ’dude’—we’re surrounded by it all the time, 20-year-olds don’t even see any irony in it anymore.”
A Devo for our times. A band that evolves, even as the world around them confirms the decay they have long suspected. With Something for Everybody, Devo has gained from experience, honed its attack, and stands ready to sound the alarm for another generation.
“As angry young men who have been validated, we have the possibility to do something that resonates like it did back in the early days,” says Mark Mothersbaugh. “It’s the same car, just now with air bags, power brakes, and steering.”
“We’re inspired by reality,” says Gerald Casale, “because the world is so ridiculous and stupid. DE-EVOLUTION IS REAL.”
Fashionlush XXX with Cardiff's Erica Stolman - Get out of that funk and into those Charlotte Olympia kicks; Followed by Nylon at Fashion Week '11 Jeremy Scott Video...
“I love the youngster hippies reppin’ their personal style way better than I ever did when I was growing up. If our beautiful city starts to evolve and appreciate the art of fashion, originality, and creativity — then we could really make our way up in the fashion food chain.”
Erica also is manager of Pret A Porter clothes, 673 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075, (858) 481-5114, Hours: 10 am - 6 pm Mon-Fri 10 am - 4 pm Sat.
Dreamin' of Charlotte Olympia kicks
Well, lately I have been in a funk...
Don't you just have those days where you just can't figure out what to wear... and you end up leaving the house looking way less cute than you thought?
Well, that is how I have been feeling lately. I have been searching for an answer to this "so-so" fashion approach my life has take. More clothes is definitely not the issue (you should see my closet), too many choices?
Maybe... gotta go through my closet soon. Yet, as none of these are the issue- I think I figured out the real quick fix to this problem. I am sure all of you know this, but the best way to spice your look up is definitely some awesome shoesies!!
You are out and about, and if the girls outfit is jeans and a white tee, some killer shoes always make you drool and identify her as "best dressed". You know you do it, we all do. So I think I will allow myself to browse some outfits based around shoes- and tomorrow, rain or shine, I am putting my flat over the knee boots in the back of the closet, and slip into my most fun pair of sky highs.
Now, only if I had some Charlotte Olympia kicks (most notably- the fruit shoe), I'd be set... but I don't- so therefore I improvise.
Fashion session with Cardiff's Erica Stolman - She accessorizes With Marc Jacobs and CVS..
“I love the youngster hippies reppin’ their personal style way better than I ever did when I was growing up,” says Stolman. “If our beautiful city starts to evolve and appreciate the art of fashion, originality, and creativity — then we could really make our way up in the fashion food chain.” -- Erica Stolman http://www.fashionlushxx.com/
Samintra Starr and Erica Stolman of Pret-a-Porter boutique in Solana Beach.
Samintra Starr owns Pret-a-Porter boutique in Solana Beach, managed by Erica Stolman. They design dresses, custom jewelry, and separates (hello, shoulder-less chambray shirts!) that fit like a dream. Located in a tucked-away spot inside Solana Beach Town Center — around the corner from Sun Diego — Pret-a-Porter carries the private labels alongside merch by Skova and ANM. The stock sweeps easily from classic to avant-garde, a populist range that’s a result of Starr’s years as a stylist in L.A.
These are her thoughts on fashion for the up-and-coming fashionista:
So, what are you wearing in this shot? This is quite the mishmash outfit — it was for a photoshoot, so more jewelry than I would ever wear normally. The t-shirt I am wearing is a vintage Coca-Cola tee with slogan "Coke, Good All the Way Down,” yet I cut the shoulders out to spruce it up a bit. I got the shirt from Home in Encinitas.
The polka dot vest I am wearing was from Goodwill, it was a long, old-lady type blouse (probably part of a pantsuit at one time). I cut off the sleeves and turned it into a vest. The shoes are Jeffrey Campbell leopard Pixies, sent to me as a fabulous gift from Jeffrey Campbell. The chain around my leg was some weird chain belt I had that I never wore.
As for the gobs of jewelry? I am also wearing some studded color leather bracelets from Target, spiky elastic bracelets from Forever 21, a vintage sterling silver cuff my Mom gave to all her bridesmaids at her wedding (a real gem of mine), a Marc Jacobs happy Buddha bracelet, and a cheapo little watch from CVS.
Rings: My David Yurman pink tourmaline ring I never take off that my dad gave me, a vintage Navajo beaded ring that I got from the Community Resource Center thrift store, and a turquoise stone ring that was my Grandma’s.
And the lipstick is from...? [It’s] actually a bright bright bright teal eyeshadow by Makeup Forever [that] I mixed with some Rosebud Salve from Sephora.
Your go-to pieces at the moment? Knee-highs are awesome, paired with a short skirt, a super worn-in vintage Harley tee, and a scarf or sick jacket...Oh, and of course high, high heels — probably my Sam Edelman Zoey Booties. What are your favorite boutiques in S.D. right now? I like Pret-a-Porter in Solana Beach — not only because I worked there and the store is close to my heart, but the custom clothes are amazing and the owner can really make or reconstruct anything your little heart desires. I also love LF, mainly because they are one of the only retailers in S.D. that has Jeffrey Campbell. I also have been a fan of Home in Encinitas and North Park. The buyers are very picky and only bring the best goods, so I don't have to dig much. And as far as vintage shops? Mainly I am a thrift store shopper — except for my shoes. I shop thrift stores not only because I like to save my money (for expensive shoes), but I love the thrill of finding a good piece. I also love to get stuff that I can bring home, reconstruct, and sew into something awesome. I am a fan of the Community Resource Centers, Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Amvets. I don't have any specific location for any of them, because you really will never know what you find! I have came across a black rabbit fur vest for $4, Missoni, DVF, et cetera.
Most thrilling score as of late? Oh man, I totally just grabbed this awesome Acne black silk dress with shoulder cutouts that is slouchy and totally doesn't show my shape at all — yet the dress is still extremely sexy in its own right. The best part though, found it at a thrift store which clearly didn't know what it was or how awesome it was and let it go to me for 7 bucks. It was the Community Resource Center in Encinitas... yay me.
Your beauty essentials? My beauty essentials would include my darkest black Almay eyeliner (best eyeliner yet), Bare Minerals makeup, Maybelline basic mascara (you know, the pink and green one), Rosebud Salve lip balm, Anastasia Brow Kit, and a spritz of my John Varvatos perfume. It is rare that you will ever catch me out with my nails and toes painted. I recently just fell in love with Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail designs, they are these stickers (kinda like Minx, yet way cheaper) that you stick to your nails and they last for 10 days, seriously. They come in a ton of different colors and patterns, and come off just like nail polish. Great idea!
Let's talk San Diego style. What excites you, what bugs you? Style wise, S.D. has a handful of people with great style. I like the beachy-chic hippie look that S.D. has always been able to pull off. I am not a fan of the all done up, short dresses and strappy heels, too much cleavage, “I only party Downtown” look.
S.D. has a new wave of fashion junkies coming in. I love the little youngster hippies reppin’ their personal style way better than I ever did when I was growing up. I have really seen a change in the fashion scene in San Diego, and it is about time. I really think that if our beautiful city starts to evolve and appreciate the art of fashion, originality, and creativity—then we could really make our way up in the fashion food chain!
Trends you're loving right now? Trends I love include but are not limited to: chunky/sky high heels, flared jeans (thank goodness they are coming back), knee highs, deconstructed clothing, military pieces, fringe, wavy hair, too much being just right, excessive amounts of jewelry, shoulder-less tops, maxiskirts, newsboy hats, and ombre hair.
Trends you’re over? Most likely for life: kitten heels, capris, denim skirts, Lululemon as daytime apparel, strappy stilettos, shants, skintight dresses, dresses that are low in the front and the back, fedoras, platinum blonde hair, tights worn with t-shirts, Uggs with skirts.
Style icon? Edie Sedgwick has always been a front runner, the 1960's in general, Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, and Andy Warhol.
Sewing machine of choice? I use a basic Singer. I had a fancy machine when I started sewing and it was great for a while. Yet when I was going to and from school and constantly dragging the machine with me, you notice the tensions will get thrown off quicker than you would want. Tensions keep your stitches legit and strong. I realized that I could just as easily buy a basic Singer for the same price and it works just as well — if not better than — my big old fancy machine.
Most surprising style tidbit? My favorite thing to wear is my fleece one-piece pajamas. I was a kid my mom dressed me more awesome than I dress now or will probably ever dress.
Anything else you'd like to add? I'm looking for a job in the fashion industry, so if you read this, employ me!
Thursday, February 3, 2011 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT-08:00)
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Thursday, February 3rd San Diego will get a taste of something completely different.
As part of the TapHunter community you undoubtedly seek out rare and exclusive experiences in both beer and food. We've got just what you're looking for. Join us on OPENING NIGHT at Relate, San Diego's FIRST pop-up restaurant.
Chef Dan Moody's Relate Restaurant and TapHunter present a unique craft beer pairing night featuring two of San Diego's top breweries and Chef Dan's contemporary French cuisine with a down-home American flair. Be part of something special during the first of only 19 nights of business for this incarnation of Relate. Relate will be taking over...
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Solana Beach Transit Center renovation, Cedros District promo video, Del Mar leader retreat, Encinitas community garden...
SOLANA BEACH -- TRANSIT CENTER BACK ON BURNER
Following two years of inaction, a proposal to renovate the Solana Beach Transit Center is back in play.
North County Transit District members approved a new memo of understanding with the city of Solana Beach "develop a transit-friendly, mixed-use project that is compatible with and complementary to the existing commercial district within the vicinity of the transit center."
The new center project will be compatible with surrounding neighborhoods, according to the agreement. Previous efforts to rebuild and rebrand the center fell apart two years ago when the transit district and city of Solana Beach could not agree on project details.
SOLANA BEACH -- CEDROS DEISGN DISTRICT ISSUE NEW PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
This just in: Cedros Design District promoters debuted a new video detailing some of the fun to be had on the branded street.
This is how the video came across the newswire....
Visit Cedros Design District and browse local Solana Beach businesses.
2 1/2 blocks with more than 85 specialty shops, boutiques and galleries. Shop for that special gift, designer originals, antiques, and hand-made jewelry. Visit the spa or grab a bite at the cafe. Check out world-class live music and the weekly Farmer's Market.
Discover the magic of Cedros Avenue!
DEL MAR -- COUNCIL RETREATS TO....
...The tony Pacifica Del Mar restaurant for a $500 "goal-setting session."
Yeah, it's high school musical all over again for the council as members underwent "rigorous team building, communication and leadership style exercises" led by Dick Lyles.
Each council member had homework consisting of submitting their top five goals for 2011.
Darn, though, council members couldn't resolve the issue and will return fir a second meeting in March to consider their Algonquins roundtable by the seaside.
ENCINITAS -- COMMUNITY GARDEN TAKES STEP FORWARD, MAYBE...
(Photo: Carlsbad community garden that Encinitas residents want to emulate in their city)
People trying to start an Encinitas community garden have been rooting around for years for a small place to call their own.
Something may be growing in the garden department as gardeneers are trying to sublease two acres at Quail Gardens Drive and Paseo de las Verdes owned by the Encinitas Unified School District. The school district scrapped plans to build an elementary school there due to flat enrollment numbers.
Don't light the celebratory fireworks just yet, but negotiations were proceeding smoothly, according to community garden organizers.
Taking Down 'Defragmentation' (ProjectX: Art, Solana Beach) -- Inspiration etc...from visual artist Michelle Guieu
(Editor's Note: Bay Area visual artist Michelle Guieu lived for six years at Solana Beach. Her recent show called 'Defragmentation ran last month at Project X: Art at 320 South Cedros Avenue. Her blog is at: http://micheleguieu.blogspot.com/.)
Michele Guieu’s work focuses on large-scale installations constructed from paintings and drawings, with secondary elements including murals, video, photography, furniture, decals, and found objects. Her imagery is both abstract and concrete: it draws on photographic images collected from mass media and her personal life, but is then abstracted through a high-contrast process that derives from her graphic design background. Scale is a crucial component in her installations, as it serves to reduce the constituent paintings and drawings to pure graphical-sculptural units in a bigger whole.
She has presented solo exhibitions at Art Produce Gallery and the San Diego Art Institute, and participated in group shows at the California Center for the Arts, Oceanside Museum of Art, and Cannon Art Gallery. In 2009 she was a San Diego Art Prize nominee for Emerging Artist, and more recently was part of the recent Summer Salon Series at the San Diego Museum of Art. Guieu lived and worked in San Diego for six years, before moving to San Jose in 2010.
-- Chris Martino, Project X: Art, Solana Beach, Calif.
60x12"
“I just moved to the Bay Area, and am coming back to San Diego to show ‘bits and pieces of memory.’ I never had a very good memory - that may be why I take so many photographs and videos. The installation is based on photos and video I took over the years and transformed via editing, painting, and digital manipulation. The idea of defragmentation came from watching a computer defragment a hard disk. The installation works the gallery like a large file system - tying together memories while making space for the ones to come.”
-- Michele Guieu is a San Jose-based artist and a graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs de Paris, France (MA Graphic Design and Multimedia).
Encinitas
I am back from my week-end in San Diego. Or, more precisely Solana Beach and Encinitas. I arrived Saturday night and went directly to the gallery in Solana Beach to take down the show. I've got some nice help from Lori and Janine.
Since I work on installations, taking down a show is never a nice moment because the show, in a way, is being destructed. I worked on "Defragmentation" for months and then I installed it, but now that it's gone, it's like I am really gone.
I felt I was really leaving San Diego yesterday.
I finished what I had to do at the gallery Sunday afternoon, it took hours to finish packing. Had the pleasure to see a couple of friends visiting while I was at the gallery. I went for a walk with Janine on the beach in Encinitas. The fast changing colors and lights were exhilarating. But it made me think about what I am missing since I've left.
The drive back went smoothly, I love that drive - except going through L.A. But there were not many people anywhere. My old car is not playing CDs, does not have a connection to allow listening to Pandora on my phone and the radio is really bad.
So I had some time to think and just enjoy the landscapes.
Solana Beach Cedros Design District Feeling Pinch; Will Eat, Drink Places Make It Merry?
Have you heard, the recession is over -- or so sez the National Bureau of Economic Research, the official arbiter of national economic cycle naming rights -- and that's something to toast around Solana Beach, hopefully.
But its not all champagne and roses around Cedros Avenue as yet. So, maybe new eating, and drinking places will make for being shopping merry, leaders opine.
A new urban winery that hit the Cedros Avenue pavement this month combined with an art gallery/wine tasting room/bistro due to open next summer signals a change in the overall ambiance along Cedros Avenue, according to officials. They hope more food and drink opportunities will open up some wallets and purses in retail respects.
“We think part of the Cedros experience as it moves forward in the coming months and years is going to be additional wine bars, cafes, sidewalk bistros, that kind of small, charming deal," said Sean MacLeod, a former musician turned developer who assembled the leadership for the Cedros Design District in 1992-1993 along with Dave Hodges, co-owner of Belly-Up Tavern at the time.
The district has hit the skids in terms of revenue, but the new eatery explosion is being counted on to increase foot traffic and shopping revenue, according to officials.
Cedros Avenue acounted for $126,947 in sales-tax revenue in the fall quarter of 2006. In the same time period of 2009, it generated $75,685, according to city financial statements released this week. This compared to the nearby Highway 101 corridor which brought in $122,672 through sales taxes in the fall quarter, 2006 that dropped to $95,583 in the fall quarter, 2009.
The Cedros Avenue district, as we all know, contains high-end jewelry and furniture stores, cafes, nurseries, galleries, health and beauty stores and the Belly-up Tavern, among other establishments.
Hodges opened the Belly-Up in 1974. McLeod moved to the area from Los Angeles in 1990 and together, along with 50 shopkeepers and property owners, started working with the city to shape up South Cedros. They led the Design District movement that evolved through the 1980s and took shape in 1993 as 50 shopkeepers and property owners formed the Cedros Design District Association.
So, in came bold, unexpected colors and building conversions. Out went manufacturing complexes and swampy backwater stores, as well as vacant structures. Now bustling with design industry types and art galleries, the 444 Building was a rocket-parts manufacturing facility. Wooden handcrafted furniture and Grecian vases replaced nuts, bolts and barbershops.
Highway and overhanging gateway street signs went up, about $350,000 worth of sidewalks, curbs, gutters and other street improvements went in, and city officials changed zoning designations to "special commercial" to encourage continued development.
Solana Beach sold bonds to help finance South Cedros improvements that property owners agreed to pay back over a 20-year period.
Hey, you want to be hip? Be yourself. Nothing says I am who I am and I don't care like being who you want to be. It's called confidence. Nothing is more attractive, more of a turn-on than pure confidence.
I saw the ugliest damn woman in my life walking down Cedros Boulevard in Solana Beach's Design District today. She was dog ugly walking a dog and, you know what, the dog was dog ugly, too. She was wearing a black shawl, the dog, and the lady was wearing a baggy pair of parachute pants, black ninja ripstop nylon up the butt.
But the lady didn't care. She strut that butt. She sashayed this way. And you know something, the more I watched as she strode down the street like a colossus of funk, the better looking she became. By the time, she hit the intersection of mind and body, she was Athena, Venus, the goddess of ten million desires.
Fashion, my young friends, comes and goes. I've got a Nieman's jacket I had to break out the other day when I worked as an extra on "Terriers," a new television show being...
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SOLANA BEACH ---- This isn't Del Mar, but it's close, as local merchants and developers, with the help of city officials, have taken a four-block stretch of South Cedros Avenue and turned it into an upscale shopping area rivaling that of Solana Beach's sister city to the south.
Retail spending alone amounted to around $22.3 million in the Cedros Design District last year, and office vacancies are nonexistent.
A lot of civic pride is invested in this area, which once was funky industrial-warehouse-central and now is an airy promenade of 65 retail stores catering to the affluent set, as well as dozens of architectural and design-themed offices.
The perfumed air that permeates the South Cedros district from Lomas Santa Fe on the north to Rosa Street on the south not only brings in a lot of business, according to development leaders, but also adds a certain cachet to a community looking for an identity.
"Cedros has generated a significant amount of sales tax receipts for the city," said David...
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