For many people, DEVO are a one-hit wonder. And while they’ve had a long career, that’s technically true. “Whip It” isn’t just their only Top 15 single on the Hot 100 in the US, it’s their only Top 40 single. (They have had a couple of Top 40 hits on the, um, dance chart.) It’s not a surprise “Whip It” is their most covered song.
The Mary Tyler Whores were a Florida punk band in the aughts who disbanded without any widely released music. Recently they have reunited in California and are now putting out music on the internet. Their latest song is a cover of DEVO’s sole hit. And for it they’re created an homage music video complete with Energy Domes.
The cover opens with some palm-muted bass that makes us think we’re in for a surprise. But actually it’s exactly what you might think a punk band covering DEVO’s big hit would sound like, at least until the guitar solo: the guitars have distortion and lead vocalist Frankie “Crime” Cassara sings the song like a punk singer rather than in Mark Mothersbaugh’s distinctive yelp.
The guitar solo and double-time drums liven things up in the middle and the double-time drums come in again for the finale. In fact, the drums go kind of crazy at the very end, almost getting metal while the rest of the band is still just playing punk.
The video is goofy and clearly made with love. Check it out:
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correction:
Frankie “Crime” Cassara is the Lead Vocalist
Doobie Tyler Whore is the Rhythm Guitarist