Devvo
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Darren 'Devvo' Devonshire a fictional chav who is the subject of a series of mockumentary short films. These are created by the filmmaker and animator David Firth, and can be found on the website Fat-Pie.com.
The films are based on the activities of working class British youth, and play on the stereotype that they like to drink high-strength cider in public places, rely on jobseeker's allowance and harass innocent members of the public. These youths are known in parts of the UK as chavs, neds and other regional colloquialisms.
Devvo is said to be from the Doncaster/Hull area in the north of England [1], and he speaks in a strong accent, often humourously mispronouncing words. Devvo frequently uses bad language and is generally unpleasant to other people. Some episodes feature other characters such as Bezzin, a character very similar to Devvo. Devvo regularly advocates the taking of recreational drugs, preferring marijuana, ketamine and ecstasy. His music and films also show that he enjoys White Lightning, a brand name of cheap, strong white cider sold in the UK.
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[edit] Is Devvo Real?
Since the Devvo films first emerged, some people have suggested that Devvo is a real person, and not a work of fiction. Indeed, on David Firth's website he claims the Devvo is real, saying "He's absolutely genuine. His stories are probably lies and exaggerations though" [2]. This appears to be part of the act however, because further investigation into the work of David Firth reveals Devvo to have been played by Firth's friend Christian, sometimes known as 'Crust'. Until recently, the front page on Fat-Pie.com depicted a still from the new video for a song by their band, 'The Grape Digging Sharon Fruits', which showed Crust out of character, but this has since been replaced by an image in which his face is not visible. However, Crust also has his own Myspace profile which contains his original music and a picture of him in his normal clothes and glasses. In addition to this, a video put on the front page of fat-pie.com on the 29th December shows Christian playing a completely different character, dressed up as a woman and speaking. There is also a video on YouTube with him playing an exaggerated Australian character[3]. Also on a hidden page on David Firths website there is a YouTube video of David and Crust talking about devvo [4] And another video filmed at the same place on the same night where Crust and Someone else doing Devvo impressions [5].
[edit] Devvo Phrases
Devvo uses a vocabulary that seems somewhat unrecognisable to the average English speaking person. Some of his most popular phrases are:
- Ya' got twen'y p mate?
- What you doin', dickhead!?
- Ya' scrat-end!
- Fookin' waaa, dickhead! Fookin' waaaa!
- Fuck me sideways!
- Do youns want a game o' coins, mate?
- Ya' gay bell-end!
- Fookin' McDevvo, like
- Rate fookin' proper
- Propa' bolloxed out ta fuck!
- I'll fooking bang ya out, mate.
- Got sum cider!
- Waa!
- Fuckin' boshty as 'owt, mate!
- It's pills and bongs on the menu tonight, mate!
- I've a good mind t' come over there and knock you out!
- Busses ar' gay!
- D'ya want sum gas?
- Did ya bring that petrol/sun screen/chair/screwdriver/etc. I told ya to bring?
- Ya' fookin' fanny, man!
- Oi, younz!
- Fookin' nob-end!
- Get yer rat out!
- Bolloxed out to ----.
- Fookin' wasted, mate.
- Who's Fuckin' boss u't jobs now?
- I.D.S.T. mate!
- A'rite yoon, wot yoo up toon?
- I'm not gay or anythin'.
- You can be boss o' swings.
- Got sum fags?
- fookin gay'air
- Who you callin' gay?, ya fookin' gay!
- fuckin waa!
[edit] Music Used
- Devvo as Owt Intro: Nakatomi - Children Of The Night (Radio Edit)
- 'Tagging' Music: David Firth made a request in December 2005 both on Fat Pie forums (removed) and on Devvo's page asking if anyone knew where his clip of music came from. It is still unknown, but Firth has named it TagBeats.
- Devvo at Leeds Festval Intro: This clip of music comes from a cover of Alphaville's Forever young, by Interactive.
- Devvo on E4 The music used in the episode aired on Funny Cuts is assumed to be from several different tracks by Shitmat.
[edit] Appearance on E4
In June of 2006, it was announced that Devvo would appear on television on UK channel E4. The date was changed numerous times, as posted as news on the front page of Fat-Pie.com. Eventually he appeared on 14 July on Funny Cuts, a programme that shows unsigned comedians and short films.
The aired episode ran for 15 minutes and followed Devvo, described as "an unemployed youth from Hull". In the episode, Devvo claims his dole money and spends it at the local newsagent's shop on cigarettes and alcohol; a scene that degenerates into a shoplifting incident. He attempts to pay for his goods with an American dollar bill, which claims is a Scottish pound note. He then goes to a children's playground to drink vodka. He talks about how he likes to go to the park and get "pissed up". Devvo then shows us around his 'studio', where he and cohort Shady Piez make songs under the name of 'MC Devvo'. The character Bezzin (from Christmas 2005) also appears. In a reprise of the Internet episode In the Studio with Devvo, Devvo and an unnamed 'Southener' have a freestyle battle that escalates into a brawl.
The episode's final scene involves Devvo finding an abandoned car and his attempts to hotwire it. Eventually he vandalises it and sets it on fire. The closing credits roll, accompanied by Devvo and DJ Shady Piez's song Crystal Meffin' (a hymn to Devvo's twin pursuits of drug-dealing and substance abuse), synchronised to the car exploding.
[edit] Appearance on Channel Four
'Devvo In The Park' aired on the first episode of 'Whatever' on Channel 4 on 26 August 2006.
The short episode starts Devvo explaining about drug dealers in the park, abusing the play area and taking "gas". He is then seen at a skate park, threatening to steal someone's bike. He then spots some people playing football on a field. He tries to join in, but ends up shouting, swearing and hitting the other players, before stealing the ball and running off
Another episode, named 'Devvo at the Seaside' has also been aired on 'Whatever' on Channel 4. It is unknown if Devvo will be a permanent feature on Channel 4 shows. The episode shows Devvo at the beach, destroying sand castles and shouting abuse at people. Devvo then steals an item of novelty confectionery from a beach front shop. He is seen sat in a children's car ride, playing in a similar way to 'Wednesday with Devvo' when he was riding the horse on the park.
[edit] MC Devvo
In the episode titled, In the Studio with Devvo; Devvo shows us his new studio, where he and Shady Piez make music. The 'studio' appears to be a garage with a bin bag and a handmade cardboard sign stuck to the wall. Devvo introduces a music Video for his Song "Crystal Meffin'".
[edit] MC Devvo songs
- Crystal Meffin
Devvo's shortest but most well known song. The only Devvo song to have a video.
- Devvo on a Pill (Eastenders VS Coronation Street Mix)
A song remixed with the Eastenders and Coronation Street theme tunes.
- Euronob
A Happy Hardcore song, most similar to Devvo on a Pill
- Boys on the beach
Devvos longest song, where he raps about drugs the sun and how he doesn't like Asians, backed with an house style tune.
- Donny Soldier
A laid back tune, Donny referring to being from Doncaster. He also raps about girls "lezzing"
- Takin Es wi Bob Marley
Devvo's latest song featuring previous Bob Marley recordings. The original recording of 'Easy Skanking' has been cut so it sounds like "Taking Es", the original line is "Take it Easy".
These songs are no longer available to download. After many comments requesting that "Crystal Meffin'" be put back, they have put it back on, but removed "Donny Soldier". Maybe the removal of the download function suggests that there might be another album for sale?.
[edit] Devvo Live
Recently, MC Devvo and DJ Shady Piez Performed Live at Beached Festival in Scarborough. Devvo sung Crystal Meffin', but couldn't remember the words. They performed with a large cast of previousley unseen characters, and were taken off stage early to the boos of a large fanbase. This episode has not been made/uploaded to Fat-Pie yet, but a short clip has been uploaded to YouTube.
Devvo has also appeared live in Sheffield supporting Goldie Lookin' Chain at The Plug and is listed as playing in Carlisle in early 2007.
He is to appear live at The Plug on 8th Feb 07 and at The Priory on 9th Feb 07 according to announcments on their myspace.
Devvo also appeared at 'Tapton Music Festival' at Tapton Halls of Residence at the University of Sheffield on 3rd March 07 as a headline act.
[edit] Devvo Releases
Five Limited edition Picture Disks were available on the auction site, Ebay featuring a new song entitled 'Fuck 'em yung'. This was confirmed by MC Devvo's Myspace page to be a real auction and the disks were finally sold at a very high and price (as mentioned in the most recent Devvo episode "Devvo Talks"). Further copies were later made available, and those who purchased the first disks received specially-autographed copies.
