This is a real toss-up for me.
I don't even own any Devo records anymore, but I can't help but think they're the better band.
They took the basic elements of garage rock and became what have come to know as Devo.
Wire took the ideas behind punk and made it a little more interesting.
Devo makes Pere Ubu sound fucking normal.
I gotta go with Devo.

This is not much of a challenge for me. In spite of whatever missteps they may have made later on in their career, Wire's overall contribution to music has been much greater, especially if you look at the kinds of people whom they directly inspired to form a band (like the Minutement and scores of others). Also, they were of monumental importance in the development of the guitar quartet format overall.

Devo's contribution, as I see it, laid primarily in the concept behind the band.

Wire, easily. I love Devo, but they can't touch Wire. There are very few bands I'd rank above Wire.

that damned fly wrote:fuck devo and their 8 good songs and rest terrible songs.

I partially agree, although I won't say "Fuck Devo"

Those 8 songs are pretty good, and those early Booji Boy videos are amazing.

Still, Wire slays Devo.

wire slays most.

i love how read and burn 1 made all the newer post punkers look like chumps.

garble wrote:

SecondEdition wrote:Wire [are] geniuses.

Were. New Album out next month.

wire.

FYP

They're still good, but I think Wire's current music is almost so-so compared to their brilliant original output. I've yet to really be surprised, I mean, by anything recent by them.. Although... that last R&B was a step in the right direction, what with it being more relaxed, and I did get a lump in my throat at the Metro when, during "Mr. Marx's Table", Colin sang: You've come a long way, for such a short stay, and I'm sad to say, it's too late to pray. I suppose it's just that these days Wire have flickers of "genius" whereas in the Seventies they were, like, a beacon and stuff. (Beacon is such a silly word..so close to bacon, yet so far...)

one thing you have to give Devo props for:

They made music in the early 1970's that was legitimately weird and disconcerting before it was "hip" (or at least before "Whip It" received any radio airplay), in Ohio for chrissakes.

I am sure they got their asses kicked and faces spat on more than Wire ever did.

Devo takes this one pretty easily. I like Wire plenty, but their appeal is relatively limited next to Devo. It's like pro athlete vs. super hero.

Wire is good but Devo is better.

Devo.