Alan Myers has passed away. Another giant gone. Another hero has left us entirely too early.
The name Alan Myers might not be a household one, but it should be. A drummer beyond compare, Myers was the man who brought Devo to life. His drum style was the engine that drove the Devo machine. Oddly, it was Myers’ left of center style that pushed Devo into being branded an ‘electronic band.’ Nobody thought a human could play the way Myers did. Devo founding member, Gerald Casale, often referred to Myers as “the human metronome.”
Many have only heard of Devo through their 1980 megahit “Whip It.” Fair enough. MTV played the hell out of the video, as did radio. The success of “Whip It” led to many calling Devo a one-hit-wonder. I doubt there has been a band more misunderstood by the public than this one. Devo is a central force to the forward movement of music. Formed in 1979, in Akron, Ohio, Devo was one of the first bands to combine visual arts, performance art, and music. They were a living, breathing, art project, and they bumped along to the beat of a very different drummer – and that drummer was Alan Myers.
Think you understand Myers talent? Then sit down and try to play Devo’s brilliant, spastic, cover of the Rolling Stones’ ”Satisfaction” all the way through. The timing on that song alone puts Myers in a class by himself. Listen to the staccato rhythms of “Triumph Of The Will,” the off-time snare hits on “Snowball,” or even the super dance beat of “Whip It.” All of these songs, and so much more in Devo’s career between 1976-1985, showcased just how crucial Alan Myers was to Devo. Even the early work, which can be heard on the “Hardcore Devo” compilations, show how Myers “human metronome” ability was fused with the explosive power of punk, as well as deep pockets of bizarre tricks. Just when you thought you knew what Myers was going to play, here comes a oddball break beat, silence where there should be percussion, even random time changes that shouldn’t work, but always did.
Myers left Devo just after the release of 1984’s Shout, saying he felt unfulfilled creatively with the band. After departing, Myers focused on more experimental projects. Babooshaka, Jean Paul Yamamoto and his own avant garde collective, Skyline Electric. Battling cancer for several years, Alan Myers succumbed to the disease on June 24th, 2013. While Devo continues to record and tour, playing with the massively talented drummer Josh Freese, nothing will equate to the chemistry between the band and Alan Myers.
Personally, Alan Myers was hero of mine. One of the first concerts I ever attended was Devo in New York City in 1981 or ’82. I won’t lie, I found Devo through the song “Whip It,” but soon became obsessed with the entire Freedom of Choice album. From that point on, and through until today, I have been a hardcore Devo fan. When I decided to play the drums, Alan Myers’ was one of my inspirations for several reasons. First and foremost, I loved Devo. Secondly, when I would become upset that I couldn’t play like Neil Peart, and that I was too basic to be any good, my drum teacher would say “Alan Myers. Is he too basic?” Lesson learned. I stuck with it.
In 1998, I formed Puny Human with a few friends. We were a simple rock band, we grooved, we rocked, and that was all we wanted to do. Our singer was Jim Starace, probably one of the greatest unheralded frontmen in the world. Jim was a huge Devo fan, something we bonded over when we first met. When ever I played something he liked, Jim would smile his beaming smile and say “That was so Alan.” Last year, Jim Starace passed away from cancer. His loss was devastating to all of us, and hearing of Alan Myers’ passing brought back memories of better days with Jim. I would love to think that Jim and Alan are jamming together right now.
Devo is not just a band – they are a movement. One of the most important bands in the history of music. It’s that simple. There is no argument. If you don’t see the importance of Devo, you’re wrong. As good as they are, it’s impossible to even fathom their sound with Alan Myers. His contributions to their music are examples that all drummers should study. Myers was a musician, an artist and an inspiration.
Thank you, Alan. For everything.
