From the Tombs. We didn't have anyone in Akron. [Pere Ubu] played for our 15 people in Akron once, and I remember watching [singer] Crocus [Behemoth] in a black rain coat. He had hair like Larry from the Three Stooges. He grabbed a handful of hair from his head and ripped it out. I thought, 'You can't do that for long.' That was the beginning for us."

By the time Devo started playing in New York in the late '70s, it had developed a stage show that included costumes and films. Inspired by an industrial supply catalog, they purchased hazmat suits and developed a look unlike any other band.

"Every other band — whether it was Talking Heads or Television or Lou Reed or anybody — they were all wearingblue jeans," says Mothersbaugh. "Some were torn and had suede patches and some were pressed and everyone was dressed like that except for the New York Dolls, who were much more fabulous looking. Some bands were copying the Beatles and wore suits. After our first show, the word spread. We became this band that everyone had to see."

Rock singer David Bowie came to one of the New York shows at Max's Kansas City club and watched the first set. "He came upstairs, and he asked what we were doing for a record. He wanted to produce us if we wanted."

When the band came back on stage for its second set, Bowie introduced the group.

"He came out on stage and said, 'Devo is the band of the future,'" Mothersbaugh