NEO Music and More

Devo is a new wave band from Akron, Ohio, formed in 1973. Their classic line-up consisted of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs (Mark and Bob) and the Casales (Gerald and Bob), along with Alan Myers. The band had a No. 14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single “Whip It“, the song that gave the band mainstream popularity.

The name Devo comes from the concept of “de-evolution” and the band’s related idea that instead of continuing to evolve, mankind had begun to regress. The “joke” about de-evolution became serious following the Kent State massacre of May 4, 1970. This event would be cited multiple times as the impetus for forming the band Devo.
Devo gained a new level of visibility with 1980’s Freedom of Choice. This album included their best-known hit, “Whip It”, which quickly became a Top 40 hit. The tour for Freedom of Choice was ambitious for the band, including dates in Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Canada.

From Buckeye Beat –  The classic lineup of Wild Horses included Steve Jochum (lead guitar), Billy Buckholtz (vocals, keyboards), Roger Kleinman (bass), Tony Mazzone (drums), Dennis Christopher (percussion, sax). Wild Horses started slowly, but by 1980, were probably the biggest ‘bar band’ in town.  In 1980 Jochum came up with “Funky Poodle” and the record with its catchy reggae groove (despite the title, the song was not funky musically, and in fact didn’t really sound like the band) completely blasted off, getting huge airplay on every Cleveland rock station.

Kool & the Gang is an R&B, soul, and funk band formed in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1964. Its founding members include brothers Robert “Kool” Bell and Ronald Bell(also known as “Khalis Bayyan”), Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, Woodrow “Woody” Sparrow, and Ricky Westfield.

Robert “Kool” Bell and Ronald Bell were born in Youngstown, Ohio and lived there until they were about ten years old before moving to Jersey City, New Jersey. 

Kool & The Gang went on to earn two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits, 31 gold and platinum albums, and more for their iconic songs like “Celebration,” “Cherish,” “Ladies’ Night,” and “Jungle Boogie.”

Kool & The Gang were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.

From their Rock Hall Induction Essay by RJ Smith: 

They have been playing live for six decades, and earned the nickname the Black Stones, because like the other ones, they keep rolling. They performed for Nelson Mandela, and they were the only band President Obama gave permission to ignore the embargo of Cuba. They have gone on the road with Van Halen, and performed in Dubai and Monte Carlo. They have a star on the Hollywood and the Youngstown, Ohio, walks of fame. The other Stones can’t say that. Tonight, we welcome them to join their peers in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

🎸 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Cleveland New Wave outfit the Baloney Heads was formed in 1978 by singer Wally Gunn and guitarist Stan Townhouse.

Radar Kilowatt – Bass, Waldo (Wally Gunn) – Lead Vocals, Manfred (Stan) Botch (Stan Townhouse) – Guitar, Spike (Ed Savage) – Vocals, Mr. Microphone (George Duffy)- Vocals, Sticks (Danny Foland) – Drums

Baloney Heads – blog post 2009

This is a great sing along punk record. Formed in 1978 by guitarist Stan Townhouse and singer Wally Gunn, a veteran of the scene who had played in many ’70s cover bands (including Blue Stone with future Breathless member Mark Avsec), this five-piece new wave band injected zany theatrics into three-chord punk. The result? Shows where the band (and the audience) would dress up in garbage bags, or any other ill-fitting thrift store get up.

Despite the parody party approach, the Baloney Heads were one of the few local bands to get WMMS airplay with a self-released single. Their “I’m a Drunk” 45, released in 1980, became a local favorite. They then disbanded two years later. Gunn later became the drummer for the Balls of Fire.

Rich Spina, one of the founding members of Love Affair, was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 1, 1955 and graduated from Midpark High School in 1973.

He and the other band members say the name Love Affair was decided on because, as Richard puts it, “…it was the least hated of all the names we came up with.” 

In October of 1976, Love Affair played its first show at The Dome in Kent, Ohio. Many fans walked away from shows humming some of the band’s own tunes; among them was a tough little number (written by Spina, Neuber and Jim Quinn, formerly of the Damnation Of Adam Blessing) entitled “Mama Sez.”

In 1978 Love Affair was Wes Coolbaugh, John Zdravecky, Rich Spina, Wayne Cukras, Mike Hudak.

In June 1980 Mama Sez was released as their first single. Wherever the single, “Mama Sez” was played around the country, it became a Top Ten item.

Formed in 1978 by the Balzer brothers, Craig and Bruce (ex-Circus), American Noise quickly worked up a set of originals, signed up with an LA-based manager and struck a deal with Planet Records, a startup label affiliated with Elektra. Though their debut spawned two 45s, one of which, “Anyone with a Heart,” got favorable play on local radio, the band’s label lacked the funds to promote it nationally. Planet soon went out of business and the band was left without a label. By ’82, the band self-released a 45, “Statutory Sue”, before breaking up. After a stint in Eric Carmen’s back-up band, keyboardist George Sipl went on to work as an engineer at Beachwood Studios before launching a career penning jingles for companies including the Ohio Lottery and the IX Center.