By Cyndi Ingle
Now more than ever we are all seeking mantras and “words to live by.” The question is, can inspiration come from a guy who has been in an anarchist hardcore punk band for over 30 years? You’ll know the answer when you read the following words uttered by D.O.A frontman Joe “Shithead” Keithley.
Keithley’s advice? “Be your own boss, think for yourself, and try to effect some positive change in the world.” Reflecting the latter point, Keithley has run for the Green Party in Vancouver three times.
More inspiration will be thrust in your face (and stuffed in your ear drums) on Tuesday, October 4th at the Casbah when Canada’s legendary punk kings – D.O.A – showcase their hardcore talents. Will the Hamilton show induce a riot complete with cops in riot gear, sporting water cannons, batons, and guns with rubber bullets as happened at a May 2010 D.O.A concert in Zurich, Switzerland? Time will tell!
Formed in Vancouver, B.C, in 1978, the band is currently touring their new album, TALK–ACTION=0 throughout Canada with a national cross country tour. This is the band’s 13th studio album and is released on Keithley’s label, Sudden Death Records. It is complete with timely tracks such as: ‘Don’t Bank on a Bank’ and ‘I Live in a Car’, which are sure to hit a chord with today’s audiences. They take a poke at the RCMP with ‘The R.C.M.P’ and even have an ode to Star Trek with the track, ‘Captain Kirk, Spock, Scotty and Bones’.
Bursting on the punk scene in ’78 with their first EP, Disco Sucks, D.O.A has been in existence for a mind-blowing 30+ years, and is recognized as one of the founders of hardcore punk. (They coined the phrase “hardcore” on their second album Hardcore ’81).
Singer/guitarist Keithley is the band’s sole remaining founding member. However, original bassist Randy Rampage has been active in the band, playing on two of the band’s last three albums, although he is not currently touring with them. The current band lineup includes Keithley (singer/guitarist), Floor Tom Jones (drums) and Dirty Dan Sedan (bass).
To celebrate the new release, Sudden Death Records has re-released D.O.A.’s first two albums: Something Better Change and Hardcore 81. These two influencial albums helped define generations of punk music and have been cited as two of the top five Canadian punk albums of all time.
Known for performing numerous benefits and for their outspoken political beliefs, D.O.A has lent their talents to fundraisers for Rape Relief, anti-globalization, anti-racism, OXFAM, First Nation’s rights, anti-censorship, environmental causes, and many others.
A true punk Renaissance man Keithley has just published his second book, Talk – Action = 0; An Illustrated History. It’s describes as “a funny, political and poignant collection of posters, photos, albums and single covers with an outstanding narration that sums up D.O.A.’s 33 years of punk, activism and wild times.” This foray into publishing follows the release of his first book: I Shithead – A Life in Punk which was a Canadian bestseller in 2003.
Experience the witty activism of the band for yourself, up close and in person on Tuesday night!
D.O.A
Tuesday, October 4/11
The Casbah
306 King Street West
Hamilton
Tickets: $15 each and can be purchased here
