This year on Teenage Kicks we're highlighting a lot of albums that came out in 1980 — that's 40 years ago! And this week we turn our flower pots upside down and salute Devo.

The Spud boys of Akron, Ohio, radicalized at Kent State, started Devo to create satirical performance art as social commentary, pondering the big question: What if instead of evolving, humanity is de-volving?

Subversive films and oddball indie 45s led to being swept up in the American New Wave, signed to Warner Records on the recommendations of David Bowie and Iggy Pop, produced by Brian Eno, and in 1980, scoring a hit with Freedom of Choice and "Whip It."

Devo's Freedom of Choice is our feature this week on Teenage Kicks.

Segments

Playlist, hour 1

Playlist, hour 2