Product Details

• Actors: Bob Casale, Gerald V. Casale, Mark Mothersbaugh, Robert Mothersbaugh, Alan Myers
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dual Disc, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Mvd Visual
• DVD Release Date: August 30, 2005
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0009CTUYG
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,296 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Devo - Live 1980" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

DEVO:LIVE 1980 - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars envigorating live show captured in high enough quality, October 21, 2005

By 

John Frame "There Is No Substitute For Equality" (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Devo - Live 1980 (DVD)

As other people have commented, it's a relief to see a whole live performance with a minimum of footage wasted on the live audience. We witness Devo proving what artful craftsmen they were onstage - this is professional showbusiness (but performed with obvious joy). Video quality is very good - and totally appropriate to the audio...neither are pristine, but you wouldn't expect or want that anyway.

I like that on the DVD-Video side you're given the choice of two very different treatments of what was clearly originally a mono recording. I much prefer the soundtrack treatment by Devo's Bob Casale which is an impressive and convincing recreation of the room ambience you'd expect from that venue. (You can choose stereo or 5.1 versions of both treatments). Chapters marks are placed perfectly and the titles are discrete and effective.

The CD side sounds great too. In every respect a superb product and an invaluable complement to their music video collection.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for Devo fans!!!, September 14, 2005

By 

Erik Vermeulen (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Devo - Live 1980 (DVD)

There are plenty of unofficial live recordings of Devo out there, but not many visual recordings. Lately that has changed with the release of several excellent DVD's.
This one however takes you right back to their most successful stage in their career with a recently discovered live taping of their live show. The picture quality is acceptable - not perfect - considering it's been around since 1980. The sound quality is also good, but what is the biggest attraction to this DVD is the high level of energy that oozes from the band, who whip through a great set of songs with great character.
The entire set is on the DVD, with a couple of extras, which makes it a worthwhile addition to ANY Devo collection. From the first notes, it is impossible not to tap along, and if you know the words to many of their songs - like I do - you'll find yourself singing along as well. On the other side of this DVD is the audio of the show (so a normal CD) so you basically get 2 for the price of 1... excellent!!!
Buy it now and you won't regret it.
I can see the comment from the person who said it was out of sync - there are a few moments when the camera is far from stage where the sound is not equal to the movements, but the close up during the same son are, so this is not a big issue at all.
Enjoy!

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's good to be retro Devo - or is that redundent?, September 1, 2005

By 

Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Devo - Live 1980 (DVD)

Geez, considering the slagging DEVO (and by extension, their fans) took during their heyday, it's amazing to realize that there is a wealth of material back on the racks in the past few years. Almost their entire catalog is back in print (and all the Warners albums), a series of DVD releases and even a tour! And as for the slew of concert discs to hit the market of late, "Live 1980" is a genuine treasure. It captures DEVO just around the time their national fame was snowballing, on the "Freedom Of Choice" tour. (Think red Energy Domes.)

It makes the DVD a very interesting document in the fact that the band is still pretty raw. In fact, if there is any detriment to this DVD, it is that the recording quality isn't up to snuff for the sound. There are frequent splatters of distortion and the mix isn't always perfect, but this was a punky band live! So for the viewing sequences, you can overlook the sonic flaws; but it does make the CD side a ragged listen. If you really want a strong document of roughly the same concert, Rhino Handmade offers the "Dev-O Live" full length concert.

But you wanted to WATCH, eh, spud? Then "Live 1980" will fill you up. Opening with "Whip It," the band cascades through early material from the first three albums, including "Pink Pussycat" and "Swelling Itching Brain" from "Duty Now For The Future." Mark Mothersbaugh proves that he may be one of the most underrated frontmen of all time with his quirky automaton style, and the band zaps and squanks its way through with those primitive synths.

Also interesting is that this was obviously not being shot for commercial release 25 years ago. The lack of intercut audience shots is very conspicuous and most welcome. You have the cameras trained the entire time on the band and not on goofball audience members with pumping fists and home-made energy helmets. It makes the concert that much more watchable.

And finally, the final proof that De-evolution is very real; The opening "Star Wars" crawler that describes the tension of free thinkers during the age of Reagan, and then points out that things have since continued rolling backwards with "Emperor W" and his extremist enemies. It gets the show rolling with a sly snicker at our not so recent history. So...say it with me, ya'll....are we not men?