Devo Stands Up to Fast Food Raids on '80s Music Culture

Well, it's been nearly 18 months since I last ranted specifically in this space about the sad, almost inevitable intersection of crass commercialism and '80s music. But this time I can save my breath a little, because at least the artist in question is doing much of my ranting for me instead of doing its part to suck the last bit of hope out of American culture.

OK, so enough with the cryptic. Serving as a welcome yin to the disappointing yang displayed last year when the Violent Femmes' "Blister in the Sun" inspired TV viewers to consume copious amounts of square beefishness at Wendy's, the ever-defiant Devo has filed a lawsuit against McDonald's for unauthorized depiction of the band's likeness in a Happy Meal toy. Now, that's more like what you'd expect from a leader in the original indie rock of the '80s: disinterest in blind capitalist gain and earnest disgust with all things the late, great George Carlin would label - quite accurately - male bovine excrement. Some might say that the band's disdain for McDonald's as a corporate entity and American Idol as, well, a corporate entity, could seem intolerant and snobbish. Others of us would scoff at such a suggestion and lightly applaud the hat-wearing heroes of geeky post-punk. No offense, guys.