The name '' Devo '' comes from the concept of ' de-evolution ' — the idea that instead of continuing to evolve , mankind has actually begun to regress , as evidenced by the dysfunction and herd mentality of American society . In the late 1960s , this idea was developed as a joke by Kent State University art students Gerald Casale and Bob Lewis , who created a number of satirical art pieces in a devolution vein . At this time , Casale had also performed with the local band 15-60-75 ( The Numbers Band ) . They met Mark Mothersbaugh around 1970 , a talented keyboardist who had been playing with the band Flossy Bobbitt . Mothersbaugh brought a more humorous feel to the band , introducing them to material like the pamphlet " Jocko Homo Heavenbound " , which includes an illustration of a winged devil labelled " D-EVOLUTION " and would later inspire the song " Jocko Homo " . The " joke " about de-evolution became serious following the Kent State shootings of May 4 , 1970 . This event would be cited multiple times as the impetus for forming the band Devo . Throughout the band 's career , they would often be considered a " joke band " by the music press
Kent State shootings
Kent State shootings
Devo