D.O.A. "1978" is a 21 track collection of unreleased demos, rare tracks, and early singles from Canada's punk pioneers. Joey Shithead Keithley went deep into the Sudden Death vault and came up with some super exciting and raw punk rock.
The album title and art concept is spike haired nod of the head to that early, dynamic era of D.O.A.and to the seven great former members of D.O.A., who have passed on. Their spirit and talent played a huge role into launching the band into worldwide prominence.
The two constants on the album are Joey Shithead and Chuck Biscuits who play on every track. From the start of "1978" the listener is drawn in by their wild, "I don't give a shit" approach to punk rock. Now some 40 years later you can hear it all, starting with the never seen light of day demo version of The Enemy. This demo has a different set of lyrics that speaks to fighting Nazis, strange, what is old is new and vital again.
There's a ton of exciting tracks that range from the never heard before: Bored and Suicidal, The Mutant, No God No War, Rip Dis Joint, No Way Out and Rent-A-Riot to classic early singles like Fucked Up Ronnie, Disco Sucks, World War 3, The Prisoner and Thirteen. You also get demo versions of America the Beautiful and Liar for Hire with Biscuits drumming, which are wildly different than the classic versions you hear on "War on 45."
On "1978" you hear the origins of hardcore and you get a full blast of D.O.A's politics and raucous humour. The album will be released as a double 12" LP/CD on May 3rd, go to Sudden Death Records for more info.
Against all odds Canada's punk godfather Joey Shithead Keithley elected to political office
In his hometown of Burnaby, BC, Canada, Joe ran a campaign based on affordable housings for all, help for the disadvantaged, sustainability and grassroots democracy. Facing well financed and vicious opponents, Keithley took a shoestring budget and his punk rock attitude and was elected as a city councilor. Burnaby is BC's third biggest city and Canada's most culturally diverse, 150 languages can be heard on the streets of Burnaby. Joe's always been involved in politics, including organizing Canada's first Rock Against Racism concert way back in 1979, so it just seemed like a natural progression for him to stand for election.
"When I ran it was pretty straight forward... I said housing should be a right and not a privilege and everybody's vote has to count," said Keithley. "I'm just using D.O.A.'s mantra: TALK - ACTION = 0 and applying it to politics. It's been fun to get in there and kick some ass!"
Since being elected, Keithley has helped set up the first homeless shelters in the city. He is also a key member of Burnaby's critical Affordable Housing Task Force. He has also stood up against junkets and perks to local politicians. Keithley was recently quoted as saying, "Give me some time, but I have my sight set on running for Canada's Prime Minister, so I can help attain justice and fairness for all Canadians."
It all comes full circle as he began his quest back in 1978 till now, hence the album name "1978."
D.O.A.'s last studio album Fight Back was hailed as their most innovative since War on 45 (1982).
It's a scathing and timely piece in which Joe deals with all manner of unseemly low characters and issues. The album opens with acerbic "You Need an Ass Kickin' Right Now," next rips right into the startling "Killer Cops," then smashes into the anthemic "Time To Fight Back," which is street punk resistance at its fiercest. The album proceeds with the timely "Gonna Set You Straight" with violent and natural ease, and continues with the vitriolic "I Just Got Back From the USA." Then, the album takes a funny twist with "We Won't Drink This Piss" (down with bad corporate beer!) and "You Can't Stop Me," a song in which Joe delves into the character of Slapshot's playing coach Reggie Dunlop (a natural alter ego perhaps).
The Godfathers of Hardcore continue their 40th anniversary tour in 2019 with dates in Canada, Europe, SE Asia, India, and the west coast of the US.
