In the Beginning Was the End

"De-evolution,” the idea that mankind is on a downward spiral of regression, was initially espoused by deconstructionist rockers Devo as a joke until the Ohio National Guard opened fire on students at Kent State (including band members Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh), turning the idea into a more serious social accusation. IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE END: THE TRUTH ABOUT DE-EVOLUTION is the earliest and perhaps purest statement by the band on this concept. A far cry from the era-defining pop-sheen of their later "Whip It," IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE END is a disturbing send-up of the Rust Belt suburbia the band hailed from and features early, abrasive renditions of "Secret Agent Man" and "Jocko Homo" (as well as a dissonant cover of "Because" by the Beatles, exclusive to this film). Mothersbaugh also claims to have inserted subliminal messages like "SUBMIT" and "OBEY" into the film (which, coincidentally or not, won an award at the 1976 Ann Arbor Film Festival). The success of IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE END would go on to attract the attention of rock luminaries such as Neil Young, Iggy Pop and David Bowie, the last of whom helped secure the band a record deal. - Tom Fritsche