Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology


Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology is a compilation album by the American new wave band Devo, released in 2000 by Rhino Records. 17 of the 50 tracks were previously unreleased on CD, including single B-sides, outtakes, remixes, soundtrack songs and spoken word material. The band recorded the long-time concert favorite "The Words Get Stuck in My Throat" in the studio for the first time, specifically for inclusion on this compilation.

Background

Pioneers Who Got Scalped came about after Rhino Entertainment was acquired by Warner Bros, giving Rhino access to Devo's old contract with Warners. Devo co-founder Gerald Casale had initially wanted to structure the anthology as a four-disc set, with each disc following a theme: first, the early, pre-Warners years; second, the best of the Warners recordings; third, songs from the band's tenure with Enigma Records, focusing on remixes and unreleased material; and fourth, the band's soundtrack work, called "Devo Goes to the Movies". However, according to Casale, he was told by the label, "that doesn't work for us at retail".

Title and packaging

The title is a reference to the band's opinion that, at the start of their career, they were criticized for originating approaches that soon became common practice.
The packaging, 52-page booklet and 3D cover were conceived by Casale. The original Rhino package used lenticular printing to create "animated" front and back covers. The front cover animation showed tomahawks flying towards the band members who are tied to stakes, causing their energy dome hats to fly off their heads. The back cover shows the animated music executives, who were actual Rhino employees, throwing the tomahawks.
The liner notes are by music historian Andy Zax, most famous for being the "Music Geek" on the Comedy Central program Beat the Geeks.

Track listing

Adapted from the album's liner notes. Asterisks denote songs previously unavailable on CD.

Personnel

All credits adapted from the album's liner notes.
Devo
Additional musicians
  • Robert L. Mothersbaugh – voice on "We're All Devo!", "General Boy Visits Apocalypse Now" and "Duty Now for the Future!"
  • Annerose Bücklers – voice on "Theme from Doctor Detroit"
  • Roli Rox – additional programming on "Here to Go"
  • Steve Lindsay – bass sample on "Disco Dancer"
  • Paul C. – additional programming on "Disco Dancer"
  • Bob Lee – drums on "Head Like a Hole"
  • Nick Vincent – drums on "Thanks to You"
  • Ralf Rickert – trumpet on "Communication Break-up"
  • Larry Klimas – saxophone on "Communication Break-up"
  • Paul Morin – stand-up bass on "Communication Break-up"
Technical
  • Devo – producer, engineer, compilation producer
  • Brian Eno – producer
  • Ken Scott – producer, engineer
  • Robert Margouleff – producer, engineer
  • Roy Thomas Baker – producer
  • Bob Casale – producer, engineer, mixing
  • Gerald Casale – producer, engineer
  • Conny Plank – engineer
  • Patrick Gleeson – engineer
  • Brian Leshon – assistant engineer
  • Phil Jost – assistant engineer
  • Buck Herring – engineer
  • Wally Duguid – engineer
  • Howard Siegal – engineer
  • Karat Faye – assistant engineer
  • Ian Taylor – remix
  • Michael Boshears – engineer
  • Larry Alexander – engineer
  • Phil Brown – engineer
  • Gordon Fordyce – engineer
  • Stuart Graham – assistant engineer
  • Ed Delena – assistant engineer
  • Mike Shipley – mixing
  • Ivan Ivan – remix
  • Steve Peck – remix engineer
  • Clive Taylor – assistant engineer
  • Ted Pattison – assistant engineer
  • Roey Shamir – remix engineer
  • Roger Pauletta – editing
  • Biff Dawes – live engineer
  • Andrew Ballard – assistant engineer
  • Jeff Lord-Alge – mixing
  • Bill Inglot – remastering, compilation sound producer
  • Dan Hersch – remastering
  • Gary Peterson – compilation producer
  • David McLees – compilation producer
  • David Baker – compilation producer
  • Josh Mancell – compilation assistance, tape research
  • Hugh Brown – art direction, design
  • Rachel Gutek – design