DEVO’s “Freedom of Choice” – Skateboarding Meets Synth Madness
In 1980, DEVO unleashed Freedom of Choice, not just as a synth-laced punk anthem but as a wild visual statement — starring skateboarding as a symbol of rebellion, individuality, and controlled chaos. Directed by Jerry Casale and Chuck Statler, the film opens in Marina del Rey Skatepark, where legendary skaters like Eddie Elguera shred the upper keyhole bowl to the beat of DEVO’s title track. The message? Skating is freedom. But halfway through, that freedom morphs into eerie conformity, as polyester-clad skaters march through downtown LA, zapping civilians into clones — a satirical spin on “freedom from choice.”
Rick Tetz was gifted a set of chrome Rector knee pads by Mike Rector himself during a California trip — pads made specifically for this DEVO shoot. These pads weren’t just gear — they were stage props in a weird and wonderful cultural moment where punk, pop, and skateboarding collided. As Mark Mothersbaugh put it:
“These guys have a real good part… they’re the major energy force in the film other than the music.”
Behind the scenes, it was a two-day grind for just a few minutes of footage — but the result was a slice of skate cinema gold. Originally meant for TV, the short film toured with DEVO’s live shows, becoming an underground cult favorite — a freaky, futuristic celebration of radical skating, robotic grooves, and the power to choose… or not.
