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Devo Founder Gerald Casale Drops Protest Single "Just Do It!" Ahead of Americas 250th Anniversary
On September 7, 2026, Gerald V. Casale—bassist, lyricist, and co‑founder of the new‑wave pioneers Devo—released a protest single that cuts a sharp jab at contemporary U.S. politics as the nation gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday. Titled “Just Do It!”, the track is paired with an animated video that turns familiar political figures into surreal caricatures.
It marks Casale’s first solo single in more than twenty years. He is joined by longtime Devo touring members Josh Hager on rhythm guitar and keyboards and Jeff Friedl on drums, while German synth‑pop outfit Die alten Maschinen adds additional layers. The song continues Devo’s legacy of biting political satire that has defined the group since 1973.
Devo’s roots lie in the fallout of the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, when the Ohio National Guard fired on students protesting the Vietnam War. Four students were killed, and two of Casale’s friends died. The tragedy sparked the band’s core concept of “de‑evolution,” a critique of society’s slide into conformity and consumerism. From “Jocko Homo” to “Freedom Of Choice,” Devo has fused science‑fiction imagery, absurdist humor, and performance art to lampoon political and cultural institutions.
In a statement, Casale said the new single “celebrates 250 years of our defeat of Tyranny in an age of Tyranny reborn.” The animated video depicts former President Donald Trump leading a zombie army, former financier Jeffrey Epstein as a smiling sun, and tech billionaire Elon Musk, philanthropist Bill Gates, and former President Bill Clinton portrayed as children’s television characters. The imagery underscores the band’s warning that individual agency is eroding under authoritarian and corporate power.
The release follows a surge of public attention for Devo. The band played at Coachella in 2026, performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, and was featured in a Grammy‑nominated Netflix documentary that chronicled its legacy. “Just Do It!” and its video are the first Devo‑related material since the 2010 album Something for Everybody.
Casale has also built a parallel career as a music‑video director, helming clips for Foo Fighters, Rush, Silverchair, A Perfect Circle, The Cars, and Soundgarden. His solo projects, such as the 2005 single “Army Girls Gone Wild” by Jihad Jerry & the Evildoers, have carried a satirical edge.
The single’s timing dovetails with the nation’s 250th‑anniversary celebrations—fireworks, parades, and cultural events across the United States. While the track is overtly political, it also reminds listeners of Devo’s protest‑music origins and its ongoing critique of mainstream culture.
Industry observers note that the single’s political content and release date may spark debate. Supporters see it as a continuation of Devo’s social commentary legacy; critics may view it as partisan. “Just Do It!” is currently available on major streaming platforms, and the animated video has been uploaded to YouTube. No additional releases or touring plans have been announced. The single stands as a contemporary statement from a band that began its career in the wake of a national tragedy and has remained a voice of dissent for more than five decades.
It marks Casale’s first solo single in more than twenty years. He is joined by longtime Devo touring members Josh Hager on rhythm guitar and keyboards and Jeff Friedl on drums, while German synth‑pop outfit Die alten Maschinen adds additional layers. The song continues Devo’s legacy of biting political satire that has defined the group since 1973.
Devo’s roots lie in the fallout of the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, when the Ohio National Guard fired on students protesting the Vietnam War. Four students were killed, and two of Casale’s friends died. The tragedy sparked the band’s core concept of “de‑evolution,” a critique of society’s slide into conformity and consumerism. From “Jocko Homo” to “Freedom Of Choice,” Devo has fused science‑fiction imagery, absurdist humor, and performance art to lampoon political and cultural institutions.
In a statement, Casale said the new single “celebrates 250 years of our defeat of Tyranny in an age of Tyranny reborn.” The animated video depicts former President Donald Trump leading a zombie army, former financier Jeffrey Epstein as a smiling sun, and tech billionaire Elon Musk, philanthropist Bill Gates, and former President Bill Clinton portrayed as children’s television characters. The imagery underscores the band’s warning that individual agency is eroding under authoritarian and corporate power.
The release follows a surge of public attention for Devo. The band played at Coachella in 2026, performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, and was featured in a Grammy‑nominated Netflix documentary that chronicled its legacy. “Just Do It!” and its video are the first Devo‑related material since the 2010 album Something for Everybody.
Casale has also built a parallel career as a music‑video director, helming clips for Foo Fighters, Rush, Silverchair, A Perfect Circle, The Cars, and Soundgarden. His solo projects, such as the 2005 single “Army Girls Gone Wild” by Jihad Jerry & the Evildoers, have carried a satirical edge.
The single’s timing dovetails with the nation’s 250th‑anniversary celebrations—fireworks, parades, and cultural events across the United States. While the track is overtly political, it also reminds listeners of Devo’s protest‑music origins and its ongoing critique of mainstream culture.
Industry observers note that the single’s political content and release date may spark debate. Supporters see it as a continuation of Devo’s social commentary legacy; critics may view it as partisan. “Just Do It!” is currently available on major streaming platforms, and the animated video has been uploaded to YouTube. No additional releases or touring plans have been announced. The single stands as a contemporary statement from a band that began its career in the wake of a national tragedy and has remained a voice of dissent for more than five decades.