Mechanical Man (EP)

Mechanical Man is a semi-official EP by new wave musicians Devo, released in 1978. It includes four 4-track basement demos by the band, recorded before they were signed to a record contract with Warner Bros. Records.

Mechanical Man EP
EP by
Devo
Released1978
Recorded1975–1976
Genre
Length13:48
LabelElevator Records
ProducerDevo
Devo chronology
B Stiff EP
(1978)		 Mechanical Man EP
(1978)		 Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
(1978)

Background

The EP was a 7-inch single housed in a plain sleeve that came in a variety of colors including pink, blue, red, yellow and green. Most EP sleeves were numbered on the back, although the exact number of EPs pressed is unknown.[1]

Opinions differ as to the legitimacy of the EP, with some sources considering it a bootleg. Devo webmaster and archivist Michael Pilmer states that it was produced by Virgin Records and included with some copies of the band's debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! in the United Kingdom.[1]

Recording

The tracks "Mechanical Man" and "Auto-Modown" were recorded in 1975, when the band was a quartet and Jim Mothersbaugh was their drummer.[2] "Blackout" was recorded in 1976, when Bob Casale had joined and Alan Myers had replaced Jim.[2] The recording date for "Blockhead" is unknown, but the earliest known live performance of the song is from December of 1976.[3]

Availability

Although the Mechanical Man EP has never had a proper CD release, all but one track ("Blockhead") were re-released on the compilations Hardcore Devo: Volume One and Volume Two. "Mechanical Man" is an edited version starting at 1:01 of the released version. "Clockout" is labelled as "Blackout" and "Auto-Modown" includes "Space Girl Blues".

Track listing

Side one
  1. "Mechanical Man" (Mark Mothersbaugh) – 3:27
  2. "Blockhead" (Bob Mothersbaugh, M. Mothersbaugh) – 3:08

Side two
  1. "Blackout" (Gerald V. Casale) – 3:11
  2. "Auto-Modown" (G.V. Casale) – 3:51

Personnel

Devo
Technical
  • Devo (as "Mechanical Man") – producers

References
  1. Pilmer, Michael. "Mechanical Man". Devo Obsesso.
  2. Devo (2013). Hardcore Volume 1 (LP liner notes). Superior Viaduct. SV024.
  3. Ziegler, Mike. "DEVO Live Guide - 1973 to 1976". Devo Live Guide. Retrieved 2022-02-06.


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