Mark Mothersbaugh

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Mark Mothersbaugh (born May 18, 1950) is an American musician, composer, singer, and visual artist. He is best known as a co-founder and lead singer of the new wave band Devo. Mothersbaugh has also had a prolific career as a composer for film, television, and video games.

Early Life

Mark Allen Mothersbaugh was born in Akron, Ohio. He attended Kent State University, where he met future Devo members Gerald Casale and Bob Lewis. The trio formed Devo in 1973, inspired by the concept of "de-evolution," the idea that instead of evolving, mankind has actually regressed.

Devo

Devo gained a cult following in the late 1970s and early 1980s with their quirky, satirical music and distinctive visual style, which included matching outfits and energy dome hats. Their debut album, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, produced by Brian Eno, was released in 1978. The band's most successful single, "Whip It," was released in 1980 and became a Top 40 hit in the United States.

Solo Career and Other Projects

In addition to his work with Devo, Mothersbaugh has had a successful solo career. He has released several solo albums and has collaborated with various artists.

Film and Television Scoring

Mothersbaugh has composed music for numerous films and television shows. He is particularly known for his work with director Wes Anderson, scoring films such as Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. He also composed the music for the popular children's television show Rugrats and its spin-off All Grown Up!.

Video Game Music

Mothersbaugh has also ventured into video game music, composing scores for games such as Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy.

Visual Art

In addition to his musical career, Mothersbaugh is an accomplished visual artist. His work includes paintings, drawings, and multimedia projects. He has exhibited his art in galleries and museums around the world.

Personal Life

Mothersbaugh has been married twice and has two children. He continues to be active in both his musical and artistic endeavors.

Legacy

Mark Mothersbaugh is considered a pioneer in both the music and art worlds. His innovative approach to music and visual art has left a lasting impact on popular culture.

Discography

With Devo

• Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)
• Duty Now for the Future (1979)
• Freedom of Choice (1980)
• New Traditionalists (1981)
• Oh, No! It's Devo (1982)
• Shout (1984)
• Total Devo (1988)
• Smooth Noodle Maps (1990)
• Something for Everybody (2010)

Solo Albums

• Muzik for Insomniaks (1988)
• Joyeux Mutato (1999)

Filmography

• Bottle Rocket (1996)
• Rushmore (1998)
• The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
• The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
• The Lego Movie (2014)
• Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

See Also

• Devo (band)
• Wes Anderson
• Rugrats
• New wave music