Both Devo and Kiss started in the 1970s and have fanbases that are incredibly devoted. While Kiss undeniably has a larger fanbase, the musical style of the former is arguably more accessible than that of their counterparts from Ohio. Nonetheless, both bands produced excellent music.
As Devo started gaining international recognition, a journalist from the former Melody Maker (a well-respected magazine at the time) referred to them as “the thinking person’s Kiss,” as told by Gerald Casale of Devo himself. Initially, Casale disliked this description, but eventually he came to accept it, though not wholeheartedly.
To be fair, Casale was good with his band being compared to Kiss in terms of theatrics and costumes, but Casale also clearly didn’t have much respect for Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and their bandmates. Devo was unafraid to be smart, and Casale sees Kiss as seemingly unafraid to be dumb.
Devo and Kiss long ago were compared to one another
According to Casale’s statement to Gold Derby, he initially felt offended and disappointed when the band wasn’t as successful as Kiss. However, after twenty years, he wished it had been that way because it would mean a less trivial band could have achieved Kiss’ level of fame. He mused that if they could be as well-known and iconic as Kiss while delivering the message that Devo stands for, instead of the typical party, drug, and romance themes associated with many bands, it would have been even more impressive.
Essentially, KISS wasn’t predominantly about songs that glorified drug use and heavy drinking. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley didn’t engage in such activities. Instead, the band embodied a lifestyle of partying and portraying romantic liaisons with the opposite sex, which their fans found appealing. On the other hand, Devo fans had different tastes.
As a dedicated gamer, I can relate music to gaming in an unexpected way. Just like how some games get overplayed on streaming platforms, Kiss songs are often spun by AOR radio stations. However, it’s only Devo’s “Whip It” that seems to get the spotlight across most of them. It’s a pity because the band was far more than just that iconic track. Their debut album, “Q. Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!“, is a game-changer every music enthusiast should have in their collection – unfortunately, “Whip It” isn’t included on it.
Although KISS has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Devo has not. Should they be considered for induction? Absolutely. Will it happen in the future? It seems unlikely, even though the location of the Hall is only about 40 miles from where Devo originated in Akron, Ohio.
Speaking from a fan’s perspective, though Casale suggests Devo may not mind, it’d be truly gratifying for them to be inducted into the hall of fame. Frankly, they don’t strike me as the type of band who’d ever receive such recognition.
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2025-09-10 18:00