Recombo DNA

Summary

Recombo DNA is a collection of studio demos and unreleased tracks by the American new wave band Devo. It was originally released in 2000 by Rhino Entertainment's Rhino Handmade label and limited to 5,000 copies.

Recombo DNA
Cover art by KRK Ryden
Compilation album by
Released2000
Recorded1977–1988
Genre
Length2:32:36
LabelRhino
ProducerDevo
Devo chronology
Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology
(2000)
Recombo DNA
(2000)
Live in Central Park
(2004)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Background edit

Recombo DNA is culled from cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes, multi-tracks and DATs from the Devo archives, with an emphasis on recordings that had not previously been illicitly circulated, augmented with some sonically upgraded versions of tracks that had previously leaked. The recordings span the era following the band's first independently released singles to the year prior to their signing with Enigma Records.[2]

On August 11, 2017, Futurismo Records reissued Recombo DNA on quadruple vinyl with additional material and new artwork. For this LP edition, "Somewhere With Devo" was removed from the main track listing, retitled "The Somewhere Suite" and included on a 3-inch Mini CD, a release which had been originally planned for May 1989.[3]

"The Somewhere Suite" is in six parts, and an original advertisement from 1989, reproduced inside the LP reissue, labels them as follows:[4]

  • Part 1 DEPARTURE: Search for Somewhere / Somewhere (Prelude) / Somewhere
  • Part 2 RECRUITMENT: First Stop the Orient (Society's Fools) / Second Stop Africa (Something Else) / Third Stop Europa (Are You Ready?)
  • Part 3 BATTLE FOR THE MIND ITSELF
  • Part 4 VICTORY PARADE
  • Part 5 FINALE: Somewhere (Refrain) / Shot Into Space...
  • Part 6 I'M A DISCO DANCER WITH NOWHERE TO GO

Track listing edit

Notes adapted from liner notes of original 2000 Rhino Handmade edition.[2]

2000 Rhino Handmade CD edition edit

All tracks are written by Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald V. Casale, unless otherwise noted

Sequence A (Disc one)
No.TitleWriter(s)NotesLength
1."Recombo DNA (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh4-track demo recorded summer 19772:06
2."The Words Get Stuck in My Throat (Live)"M. MothersbaughLive in Minneapolis, 1978, with vocal by Booji Boy; a studio version was recorded for Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology5:28
3."Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin') (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh, Casale, Gary JackettBasement 4-track demo from Hardcore Devo sessions2:17
4."Be Stiff (Alternate Mix)"Casale, Bob LewisBasement 4-track demo from Hardcore Devo sessions2:43
5."Pink Pussycat (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh, B. MothersbaughDuty Now for the Future album demo; recorded c. late 1978/early 19794:08
6."Goo Goo Itch (Alternate Version)"M. MothersbaughDuty Now for the Future album demo; music recorded 1976, vocals re-recorded c. late 1978/early 19792:25
7."Strange Pursuit (Demo)" Duty Now for the Future album demo; recorded c. late 1978/early 19792:31
8."The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprise (Demo)"M. MothersbaughDuty Now for the Future album demo; recorded c. late 1978/early 19793:32
9."Bushwhacked (Prosthetic Version)" Live jam recorded on 2-track tape during Freedom of Choice sessions in 1979. Edited version released as a flexi-disc with Reflex Magazine in August 1988.4:41
10."Girl U Want (Demo Alternate Version)" Freedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 19802:59
11."Turn Around (Demo Alternate Version)" Freedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 19802:12
12."Snowball (Demo Alternate Version)" Freedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 19802:49
13."Luv & Such"M. MothersbaughFreedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 1980; early version of "Mr. B's Ballroom"2:53
14."Gates of Steel (Demo Alternate Version)"M. Mothersbaugh, Casale, Susan Schmidt, Deborah SmithFreedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 19803:29
15."Planet Earth (Demo Alternate Version)"CasaleFreedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 19803:17
16."Whip It (Demo Alternate Version)" Freedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 19802:39
17."Cold War (Demo Alternate Version)"B. Mothersbaugh, CasaleFreedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 19802:33
18."Time Bomb" Freedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 1980; Mark Mothersbaugh vocal version3:14
19."That's Pep (Demo Alternate Version)"M. MothersbaughFreedom of Choice album demo, recorded at Modern Music studio, 19802:32
20."Make Me Dance" (labelled "Make Me Move") Freedom of Choice outtake, recorded February 11, 19802:16
21."Gotta Serve Somebody (Live)"Bob DylanRecorded December 31, 1979 at Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, California; performed by Devo alter ego "Dove", with vocal by Booji Boy6:31
22."I Saw Jesus" Studio demo by "Dove"; recorded April 1, 19811:31
23."Psychology of Desire (Demo)" New Traditionalists album demo, recorded April 3, 1981; early version of "The Super Thing"4:23
24."Pity You (Demo)" (labelled "You Say You Gotta Problem")M. MothersbaughNew Traditionalists album demo, recorded March 24, 19812:54

All tracks are written by Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald V. Casale, unless otherwise noted

Sequence B (Disc two)
No.TitleWriter(s)NotesLength
1."Beautiful World (Demo)" New Traditionalists album demo, recorded March 24, 19813:41
2."Race of Doom (Demo)" New Traditionalists album demo, recorded March/April 19813:44
3."I Desire (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh, Casale, John HinckleyOh, No! It's Devo album demo, recorded early 19823:18
4."Big Mess (Demo)" Oh, No! It's Devo album demo; music recorded March 27, 1981 as "Chinese Nighttime", vocals recorded 1982; M. Mothersbaugh vocal version2:48
5."The 4th Dimension (Alternate Version Rough Mix)" For potential Shout album, recorded c. late 19824:19
6."Here to Go (Alternate Version Rough Mix)" For potential Shout album, recorded c. late 19823:18
7."Some Things Don't Change (Rough Mix)" For potential Shout album, recorded c. late 1982; unused2:55
8."Big Adventure (Rough Mix)"M. MothersbaughFor potential Shout album, recorded c. late 1982; unused; lyrics written and sung by M. Mothersbaugh2:46
9."No Noise (Rough Mix)" For potential Shout album, recorded c. late 1982; unused; same music as "Big Adventure", with lyrics written and sung by G. Casale2:50
10."Love Is Stronger Than Dirt" Demo recorded May 20, 19822:11
11."Faster and Faster"M. MothersbaughUnfinished recording from Oh, No! It's Devo sessions, recorded June 1982; restored, remixed and completed in November 1998 for CD-ROM video game Interstate '82[5]2:49
12."Modern Life"M. MothersbaughUnfinished recording from Oh, No! It's Devo sessions, recorded June 1982; restored, remixed and completed in November 1998 for CD-ROM video game Interstate '82[5]3:05
13."The Only One (Demo)"M. MothersbaughDemo from post-Warner Bros. Devo Demos 86-87 cassette; vocals by Toni Basil4:06
14."Baby Doll (Demo)" Demo from post-Warner Bros. Devo Demos 86-87 cassette; re-recorded for Total Devo album3:37
15."Some Things Never Change (Demo)" Demo from post-Warner Bros. Devo Demos 86-87 cassette; re-recorded for Total Devo album5:28
16."Plain Truth (Demo)" Demo from post-Warner Bros. Devo Demos 86-87 cassette; re-recorded for Total Devo album4:00
17."Happy Guy (Demo)" Demo from post-Warner Bros. Devo Demos 86-87 cassette; re-recorded for Total Devo album3:33
18."Somewhere With Devo (Studio Version Demo)"Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim / M. Mothersbaugh, CasaleSuite featuring "Somewhere", "Shout", "Social Fools" and "Disco Dancer"; later recorded live for Now It Can Be Told: Devo at the Palace album18:23

2017 Futurismo LP edition edit

The bonus tracks for this edition appear below in italics.

All tracks are written by Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, unless otherwise noted

Sequence: (a) (LP 1/side 1)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."A Necessary Response with Jerry Casale" 0:17
2."Recombo DNA (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh2:06
3."The Words Get Stuck in My Throat (Live)" 5:28
4."Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin') (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh, B. Mothersbaugh, Casale, Jackett2:17
5."Be Stiff (Alternate Mix)"Casale, Lewis2:43
6."Pink Pussycat (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh, R. Mothersbaugh4:08
7."Goo Goo Itch (Alternate Version)"M. Mothersbaugh2:25
8."Strange Pursuit (Demo)" 2:31
Sequence: (b) (LP 1/side 2)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprise (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh3:32
2."Bushwhacked (Prosthetic Version)" 4:41
3."Girl U Want (Demo Alternate Version)" 2:59
4."Turn Around (Demo Alternate Version)" 2:12
5."Snowball (Demo Alternate Version)" 2:49
6."Luv & Such"M. Mothersbaugh2:53
7."Conscious Mutation with Mark Mothersbaugh" 0:40
Sequence: (c) (LP 2/side 1)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Gates of Steel (Demo Alternate Version)"M. Mothersbaugh, Casale, Schmidt, Smith3:29
2."Planet Earth (Demo Alternate Version)"Casale3:17
3."Whip It (Demo Alternate Version)" 2:39
4."Cold War (Demo Alternate Version)" 2:33
5."Time Bomb" 3:14
6."That's Pep (Demo Alternate Version)"M. Mothersbaugh2:32
7."Mental Warfare with Jerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh" 0:37
Sequence: (d) (LP 2/side 2)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ton O' Luv (Instrumental Demo)" 2:56
2."Make Me Dance" (labelled "Make Me Move") 2:16
3."Gotta Serve Somebody (Live)"Dylan6:31
4."I Saw Jesus" 1:31
5."Psychology of Desire (Demo)" 4:23
6."Pity You (Demo)" (labelled "You Say You Got a Problem")M. Mothersbaugh2:54
Sequence: (e) (LP 3/side 1)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beautiful World (Demo)" 3:41
2."Race of Doom (Demo)" 3:44
3."I Desire (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh, Casale, Hinckley3:18
4."Big Mess (Demo)" 2:48
5."The 4th Dimension (Alternate Rough Mix)" 4:19
6."Here to Go (Alternate Rough Mix)" 3:18
Sequence: (f) (LP 3/side 2)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Some Things Don't Change (Rough Mix)" 2:55
2."Big Adventure (Rough Mix)"M. Mothersbaugh2:46
3."No Noise (Rough Mix)" 2:50
4."Love Is Stronger Than Dirt" 2:11
5."Faster and Faster"M. Mothersbaugh2:49
6."Modern Life"M. Mothersbaugh3:05
7."We Are Unique with Jerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh" 0:32
Sequence: (g) (LP 4/side 1)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Only One (Demo)"M. Mothersbaugh4:06
2."Baby Doll (Demo)" 3:37
3."Some Things Never Change (Demo)" 5:28
4."Plain Truth (Demo)" 4:00
5."Happy Guy (Demo)" 3:33
Sequence: (h) (LP 4/side 2)
No.TitleLength
1."Before Baby Doll There Was Satan with Mark Mothersbaugh"0:49
2."Satan"3:48
3."Red Alert (Unreleased)"2:58
4."Sad Song (Unreleased Instrumental)"3:37
5."Mind Games (Demo)"2:27
6."Later Is Now (Instrumental)"3:56
7."It's Not Nuclear Bombs You Must Fear with Booji Boy"0:18
Sequence: (i) (Mini CD)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Somewhere Suite (Studio Version Demo)"Bernstein, Sondheim / M. Mothersbaugh, Casale18:23

Personnel edit

Devo
Technical
  • Devo – original recording producers
  • Roland Worthington Hand – compilation producer
  • Josh Mancell – compilation assistance, tape research
  • Rectangle Van Elk – curator assistant
  • D K Baker – deputy chief archivist
  • Kanona Nooksack — archival assistance
  • Dan Hersch – remastering
  • Bill Inglot – remastering
  • Bryan Lasley – art direction, design
  • Patrick Pending – art direction assistant, design assistant
  • Devo, Inc – artwork, photography
  • John Tremblay – photography
  • Barbara Watson – photography
  • Janet Macoska – photography
  • Hugh Brown – photography

References edit

  1. ^ Badgley, Aaron. "Devo – Recombo DNA". AllMusic. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Devo (2000). Recombo DNA (CD liner notes). Los Angeles: Rhino Handmade. RHM2 7718.
  3. ^ Sebastian, Matt. "Devo rarities 'Recombo DNA!' to be reissued as 4LP/mini-CD set with unreleased tracks". Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  4. ^ Devo (2017). Recombo DNA (LP liner notes). United Kingdom: Futurismo Inc. FUTNO27.
  5. ^ a b "Pyramid: Are We Not Gamers? Devo Contributes Tracks to Interstate '82". www.sjgames.com. Retrieved 2021-12-11.