Press Release For The Concert:
DEVO TO NATIVE OHIO:
YOUR DUTY NOW FOR THE FUTURE IS TO VOTE OBAMA!
Influential Akron Band Will Return to its Hometown to Rally for Change
Akron, Ohio (October 6, 2008) In the final month of this historic
presidential race, the band DEVO is making an urgent trip to its native
hometown of Akron, Ohio, to rally for Democratic presidential candidate
Barack Obama. DEVO will perform its Duty Now for the Future concert at the
Akron Civic Theatre at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2008.
The four founding members of DEVO (two sets of brothers Mark Mothersbaugh,
Bob Mothersbaugh, Gerry Casale and Bob Casale) sprang from Akron in the
1970s at a time when the city was mired in a severe recession and dealing
with the after-effects of a failed war. The band channeled that frustration
into such groundbreaking hits as Gates of Steel, Whip It, and Freedom of
Choice. Its albums blend political lyrics and pop iconography with urgent
guitars and groundbreaking electronics, the combination of which earned the
band a place in music history and continues to influence countless musicians
today.
At a time when the country is facing an economic crisis of historic
proportions and soldiers are returning from service to bleak job prospects,
DEVO is converging in Akron to channel its energies with a concert called
Duty Now for the Future. All proceeds will benefit the Summit County
Democratic Party in its efforts to create a future filled with hope and
responsibility by electing Barack Obama as President of the United States.
Although the four band members now live in Los Angeles, DEVO maintains
strong family ties to Northeastern Ohio, and feels that its energy could be
best served by supporting Barack Obama in the members home state.
Mark Mothersbaugh, DEVO co-founder and frontman said:
"Ohio is where we need to be," said Mark Mothersbaugh, the band's co-founder
and frontman. "My wife Anita convinced me of this after we had attended yet
another Obama event in California. It's great that we're all for Obama, but
sitting around in our BLUE bubble doesn't do anything for his chances in the
battleground states. We all have a vested interest in what happens here, our
families and friends who have been hurt of the nonsense of the past eight
years. We hope to make an impact with this concert, and raise consciousness
to what's happened in Ohio in the past and what will happen again if people
are not made aware of what their votes mean. Our country is currently
struggling under the burden of the unrestrained greed and political blunders
of the current administration. We need a presidential team that can pilot us
out of this mess. I think that Barack Obama and Joe Biden are our only hope.
That's why we are here."
Adds Gerald V. Casale, Mothersbaughs co-writer and the bands co-founder
(Mothesbaugh and Casale met at Kent State):
DEVO's excited to be bringin' it all back home to our birthplace, Akron.
This is the most important election in recent history, and most experts
agree that Ohio is the key to winning it. Freedom of Choice is the title of
our most successful record it's what America is all about. We're honored to
help raise money for the Summit County Democratic Party and awareness for
Barack Obama's candidacy. By restoring democracy, he will make sure that
Freedom of Choice remains what this country is all about."
All proceeds will go to the Summit County Democratic Party and there will be
a reception with the band for VIP ticket holders.
Tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at the Akron
Civic Theatre Box Office by calling 330.253.2488 or visiting akroncivic.com,
and Ticketmaster by calling 330.945.9400 or 216.241.5555 or visiting
ticketmaster.com. Reserved seats are available for $25, $35 and $50. A
limited number of V.I.P. tickets, which include a post show reception with
the band, are available for $150.