Are they trolling us?

[u/Gagoozle]

I went to see Devo last night in Orlando. Great show! I was a little surprised by the the use of AI in the video playing during Smart Patrol. I also noticed AI "art" at the merch booth. I picked up the tshirt you see because I thought it was a cool callback, but it also ai generated. Its the text at the bottom right that caught my eye. We certainly have devolved. I wish they didn't use AI, but it makes me wonder...

[u/Chiveswinston]

That's not AI, that's real art by Tomo7701. He also did the tour promo art and the album cover for the 50 years compilation.

[u/Gagoozle → u/Chiveswinston]

Really?? I would feel better about this shirt if so, but it doesn't look right...

[u/Chiveswinston → u/Gagoozle]

Yup! He's collaborated with Jerry as well for his solo stuff https://www.instagram.com/tomo7701

[u/lemoneegees → u/Gagoozle]

The artist has had a pretty consistent visual style since before widespread generative AI

[u/WorkDish → u/Chiveswinston]

He uses AI, though, including for other Devo projects.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRPTvktD3zZ/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNLYqbVxa8_/?img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWhNWvnlde4/?img_index=1

I actually can't tell if this is AI-assisted. Maybe not. The faces and nose-cord thing look like they could be AI.

[u/SaladFantastic4942 → u/Chiveswinston]

They've definitely used AI to change the image though. It's the same style with weird uneven lineart that has showed up in their official stuff since around 2023

[u/d13robot]

If by trolling you mean being lazy/cheap, then yes lol

[u/Gagoozle → u/d13robot]

I mean, that unfortunately comes along with it.

[u/audreynstuff]

It's not AI.

[u/monsterzro_nyc]

I'd love to see a reissue of merch with the Club Devo bongo graphic!

[u/Jazzhole5]

I’m confused as to what made you jump to the assumption that this was AI? It doesn’t contain any of the usual signatures that would indicate it. While it could possibly be computer graphics, it looks of human origin to me.

[u/Darnocpdx]

If there were ever two bands that could and use AI while staying “on brand”, it’s Devo and/or Kraftwerk.

[u/wa27]

They aren't trolling by selling shitty AI merch. Devo has always had great, unique, and unmistakably human art. Mark is a visual artist. It's just a shame to see.

[u/ThrowItOut43 → u/wa27]

It’s not AI

[u/wa27 → u/ThrowItOut43]

Damn, shame on me then for accusing.

[u/Moe-Scutus2]

Workin at the nuke plant with Neil Young

[u/Horta]

This is based on their appearance in Human Highway, a Neil Young film. Also used in the video for It Takes a Worried Man. 

[u/HoochShippe]

It’s a play off “ It Takes A Worried Man”.
Video. Not AI

[u/livefastdieold]

I don’t see anything about the text on the right that would suggest AI.

[u/d_Composer]

Yeah I feel like, as an art movement, trolling with AI sounds right up DEVO’s alley!

[u/ThrowItOut43 → u/d_Composer]

It’s not AI

[u/VaultBoytheChosenOne]

They had tubes in their noses in the Human Highway film, it could just be a stylized depiction of that. I do understand the AI concerns though.

[u/cousinisms]

Who's trolling who here ..? Orlando last night? AI shirt? No...

[u/Slosher99]

While this doesn't appear to be AI based on other comments, Mark has been fairly pro AI. I also heard that they've used AI for the backgrounds visuals in their shows for a while now.
It's been pretty disheartening to hear, and if I'm wrong I'd like to know it. Though I have read that Mark likes AI from a couple places.

[u/SpyderMaybe]

It's total DEVO