The Crypt Performances

The Crypt Performances refers to a series of early live shows performed by DEVO between when they moved to Akron in December of 1976,and the release of the Mongoloid single in March of 1977. Most of these performances took place at The Crypt nightclub.

Background
In December of 1976, DEVO moved out of Kent and into Akron. Here they discovered a recently founded punk rock venue entitled 'The Crypt'. The Crypt was the first venue to offer them a residency, and was the first place where they felt at least marginally understood. During this period they also played other venues in the area. An early concert at the Crypt was released on the CD Live: The Mongoloid Years. Video from these concerts was also released on the DVD The Complete Truth About De-Evolution.

Whilst here DEVO shared a stage with many other alternative groups living in Ohio, who may have even been inspired by the group. Pere Ubu, Rubber City Rebels, Dead Boys & The Bizarros. The shows showcase the steady shift between Mark Mothersbaugh replacing Gerald Casale as the head of the band, with him having written or co-written a significant portion of the material.

Setlist
December 1976 - January 1977


 * Too Much Paranoias (M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Praying Hands (G.Casale/M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Uncontrollable Urge (M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Social Fools (G.Casale)
 * Clockout (G.Casale)
 * Timing X (M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Soo Bawls (M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Space Junk (G.Casale/B.Mothersbaugh)
 * Blockhead (M./B.Mothersbaugh)

February 1977


 * Praying Hands (G.Casale/M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Social Fools (G.Casale)
 * Be Stiff (G.Casale/Lewis)
 * Uncontrollable Urge (M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Secret Agent Man (Sloan/Barri/M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Shrivel Up (G.Casale/M./B.Mothersbaugh/)
 * Last Time I Saw St. Louis
 * Fraulein (M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Too Much Paranoias (M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Huboon Stomp (G./B.Casale)
 * Space Junk (G.Casale/B.Mothersbaugh)
 * Mongoloid (G.Casale)
 * Falling In Love Again
 * Soo Bawls (M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Blockhead (M./B.Mothersbaugh)
 * Jocko Homo (M.Mothersbaugh)
 * Words Get Stuck In My Throat (M.Mothersbaugh)

Dates

 * 1976: Bombay Bicycle Club, Akron, Ohio
 * 10th December, 1976: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 11th December, 1976: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 17th December, 1976: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 18th December, 1976: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 31st December, 1976: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 1st January, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 13th January, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 14th January, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 20th January, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 21st January, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 22nd January, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 26th January, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 27th January, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, Ohio
 * 11th February, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, OH
 * 12th February, 1977: The Crypt, Akron, OH

Credits

 * Mark Mothersbaugh:
 * Songwriter,
 * Keyboards on all songs except 'Too Much Paranoias',
 * Lead Vocals on all songs except 'Social Fools', 'Clockout', 'Timing X', 'Space Junk', 'Be Stiff', 'Secret Agent Man', 'Last Time I Saw St. Louis', 'Fraulein', 'Huboon Stomp', 'Space Junk' & 'Mongoloid',
 * Guitar on 'Too Much Paranoias'
 * Backing Vocals on 'Secret Agent Man' & 'Fraulein'
 * Gerald Casale:
 * Songwriter,
 * Bass Guitar on all songs except 'Clockout',
 * Lead Vocals on 'Social Fools', 'Clockout', 'Space Junk', 'Be Stiff', 'Last Time I Saw St. Louis', 'Fraulein', 'Huboon Stomp' & 'Mongoloid'
 * Backing Vocals on 'all songs except 'Too Much Paranoias', 'Praying Hands', 'Uncontrollable Urge', 'Soo Bawls', 'Blockhead', 'Jocko Homo'
 * Bob Mothersbaugh:
 * Co-Songwriter, Lead Guitar,
 * Backing Vocals on 'Uncontrollable Urge', 'Social Fools', 'Soo Bawls', 'Space Junk', 'Blockhead', 'Mongoloid', 'Jocko Homo'
 * Lead Vocals on 'Secret Agent Man'
 * Bob Casale:
 * Co-Songwriter, Rhythm Guitar on all songs except 'Clockout'
 * Bass Guitar on 'Clockout',
 * Backing Vocals on 'Blockhead' & 'Huboon Stomp'
 * Alan Myers: Drums