Devo will donate the royalties from their song catalog for the entire month of April to Ukrainian charities along with personal donations. Funds will benefit Music Saves UA and World Central Kitchen.
The band, best known for their hit song “Whip It,” encouraged others to join them in support of those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
“Vladimir Putin’s rape of a sovereign nation, Ukraine, whose citizens are committed to the democratic rule of law, should not and cannot stand in the 21st century,” band members Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale said in a statement, according to . “To help the victims of Putin’s unprovoked war, Devo will be donating these proceeds from our song catalog licenses throughout the month of April. We invite our rightsholder partners in mastering and publishing matters to join us. Additionally, we encourage all successful recording artists to do something similar to help this gesture reach critical mass.”
Music Saves UA is a non-profit fundraising project created to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to people in Ukraine, including medical supplies, food, water and hygiene items. World Central Kitchen, founded by chef José Andrés, offers meals in response to crisis situations.
Last year, Casale told Newsweek he didn’t know if Ronald Reagan’s would-be assassin, John Hinckley Jr., ever received royalties for his credit as the author of the band’s song “I Desire.” Hinckley Jr. observed, “In 1982, I co-wrote a song with Devo called ‘I Desire.’ It’s on their album Oh No, It’s DEVO. The album is still selling worldwide, especially in Japan and Europe. I haven’t seen royalties in 35 years. What is the problem?”
Casale replied, “It’s possible he’s not lying… We’re not talking about a lot of money here. Believe me, [‘I Desire’] wasn’t a hit. But it’s certainly not Devo’s fault that he didn’t get his money.”