Devo Returns to Akron to Help the Democrats

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mojo-photo-devo.jpgNew wave innovators and silly hat proponents Devo are coming together to play their first show in their hometown of Akron, Ohio in 30 years, and it’s a fundraiser for the Democratic Party.

Over the years, the band has performed several times in Cleveland and at Blossom Music Center, but, by Devo member Mark Mothersbaugh’s recollection, the band’s show on Friday at the Civic Theatre will bring the band full circle as the theater was the setting of their final Akron concert in 1978. The show, called Duty Now for the Future — the title of Devo’s sophomore album — will be a benefit for the Summit County Democratic Party. … “Ohio is in our blood,” said Mothersbaugh, “you can take the boys out of Ohio but you can’t take Ohio out of the boys.”

The band, which also includes Mothersbaugh’s brother, Bob; brothers Gerald and Bob Casale and Josh Freese, is not touring, but Mothersbaugh said the election was too important to stand by and do nothing to inspire folks to get to the polls.

“I think our fans are like us in that they are pro-information and anti-stupidity,” he said laughing heartily.

Devo members, in addition to being anti-stupidity and wearing those funny hats, have also been active proponents of the Church of the SubGenius, which in this day and age is probably considered a terrorist group, so it’s probably best if Obama himself doesn’t show up. But apparently the Black Keys and Chrissie Hynde might. Go, Ohio! Are there any direct flights to Akron from here?

WE CAME UP SHORT.

We just wrapped up a shorter-than-normal, urgent-as-ever fundraising drive and we came up about $45,000 short of our $300,000 goal.

That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June.

So we urgently need this specific ask, what you're reading right now, to start bringing in more donations than it ever has. The reality, for these next few months and next few years, is that we have to start finding ways to grow our online supporter base in a big way—and we're optimistic we can keep making real headway by being real with you about this.

Because the bottom line: Corporations and powerful people with deep pockets will never sustain the type of journalism Mother Jones exists to do. The only investors who won’t let independent, investigative journalism down are the people who actually care about its future—you.

And we hope you might consider pitching in before moving on to whatever it is you're about to do next. We really need to see if we'll be able to raise more with this real estate on a daily basis than we have been, so we're hoping to see a promising start.

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WE CAME UP SHORT.

We just wrapped up a shorter-than-normal, urgent-as-ever fundraising drive and we came up about $45,000 short of our $300,000 goal.

That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June.

So we urgently need this specific ask, what you're reading right now, to start bringing in more donations than it ever has. The reality, for these next few months and next few years, is that we have to start finding ways to grow our online supporter base in a big way—and we're optimistic we can keep making real headway by being real with you about this.

Because the bottom line: Corporations and powerful people with deep pockets will never sustain the type of journalism Mother Jones exists to do. The only investors who won’t let independent, investigative journalism down are the people who actually care about its future—you.

And we hope you might consider pitching in before moving on to whatever it is you're about to do next. We really need to see if we'll be able to raise more with this real estate on a daily basis than we have been, so we're hoping to see a promising start.

payment methods

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