The ‘After Show’ in a room backstage after the gig had me a bit ‘gobsmacked’. Not only had the gig been fantastic but what was so great was that all the band as I got to talk to them were so nice.

I was introduced to Mark as ‘Lee from Norwich’ and he immediately recalled our conversation and was pleased that I’d actually managed to make it all the way out there. With his offer, how could I have refused!? Bob 1 & Bob 2 were also instantly friendly, asking me details of how I’d managed to get there, how long I’d liked the band etc. It was so nice to meet people in their profession with their feet still firmly on the ground.

As two other big UK Devo fans (Paul Conlon & Kevin Lincoln) had not managed to get out to the US for the gigs, I asked the band to sign Bob1’s ‘Radiation Pants’ that he’d thrown to me during the gig. You can see Jerry Casale signing and adding his own ‘Be Stiff’ touch above, as I watch. They ended up with a leg each, and very happy they were too!

Next stop for some of the band and a few of us was up to the ‘Three Sixty’ bar situated at the very top of the resort. Here we managed to have a few drinks and a much better chat with Mark and then Jerry. What really got our attention was when Jerry told us that there were plans afoot to try and come to Europe in June 2007. Nothing was arranged and negotiated, but we sure as hell began to pray that it would. (News March 2007 - Yes they are! Europe 2007 IS a reality. See Links Page. Yeeha!)

The ‘Three Sixty’ had views all around the resort out into the desert and from the bar we could see the fires burning on the horizon.

Ray Amico (Devo’s road manager) suggested if we wanted a better look why didn’t we hop in the band’s minivan and go take a look! Why not!

We all piled in and drove down as far as we could get to see how the fires were going. When we got to the point where the fire truck had stopped and was parked up, we thought we’d better not go any further!!

The rest of the night was spent in the Casino drinking merrily and watching the tables. Whilst there  I was introduced to fellow Spud, Gordon Keller Sr. Gordon had a good night and was generous enough to give every one of us watching $50 in chips citing that Spuds are one big family and stick together. How true. He was to play a big part in my trip later on - something for which I will always be grateful....

The following morning we went down to breakfast to be joined by Mark and Bob2 - what a nice surprise! After our fill, and with the Anaheim gig on that night, everyone gathered to get on the road.

Whilst waiting I asked Mark if he’d be kind enough to autograph my picturedisc of the first Devo album that I’d taken across. He did more than that as you’ll see below!

He then reached into his wallet, took out some money (what turned out to be a $2 bill - yes a 2!) and drew on that too before handing it to me as another keepsake. Click on each the bills & disc below to see what he did....

Devo on the road again!

On the way to Anaheim I spotted this roadsign for Devore - so I decided to have a little fun in Photoshop as to how it could look if some Spuds got to it!

Next Page - Grove Anaheim!

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