"Fight Back" May 1st...

Everything's OK It's...
D.O.A.

Get your punk on...!!!

D.O.A., Canada's legendary pioneering punks who set the bar high for punk and basically invented hardcore, are ready to rip it up on the occasion of their 40th anniversary. They have a brand new album called Fight Back and they are embarking on a worldwide tour to support this impressive new effort. The "Men of Action" are ready to take on all opposition and lay down a punk rock path of wild music and free thought. Their rough and ready line up is led by the godfather of Hardcore, Joe Shithead Keithley (guitar, vocals) he is more than ably accompanied by the manic rhythm section of Paddy Duddy (drums) and Corkscrew (bass).

Early reviews indicate that Fight Back is the most innovative D.O.A. album since War on 45. D.O.A. has always been right on the pulse of what's going on in our screwed up world. Fight Back deals with what we have left, which in a lot of ways, is not much. 

"When you really think about it, income inequality and disparity is at the root of a lot huge problems, like environmental degradation, war, sexism and hate" said Keithley who has been fighting the good fight for the last 40 years. It's why he's made TALK - ACTION = 0 his lifelong mantra. 

Fight Back, released on Joe's own label Sudden Death Records, is a scathing and timely piece. 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).

D.O.A. was formed amidst a whirlwind of controversy and upheaval. In 1978, three guys fresh out of high school from the backwaters of Canada's suburbs heard about the punk rock revolution. In February of that same year the band formed and started playing shows. They soon realized that there were no record deals coming in any time soon.

Keithley (aka Joey Shithead) who was working towards being a civil rights lawyer before he found punk rock, concluded that the band had to take the "do it yourself" approach long before DIY became a popular concept. He formed a fledging record label called Sudden Death Recordsand the label released D.O.A.'s first snarling slab of vinyl, the Disco Sucks 7" EP. 

Disco Sucks soon became an underground hit and the band started touring from Vancouver to their newly adopted "home base" of California five to six times a year. In 1980, Keithley coined the term "hardcore" and the band soon released their landmark album Hardcore 81. The album became a hit, the hardcore movement took off, and D.O.A. pushed that expression into common vernacular.

Over the last four decades, D.O.A. have released 17 studio albums, sold over a million albums, and played 4,000 shows on five different continents. The band's albums, shows, and attitude have won over three generations of fans and influenced the likes of Green Day, Nirvana, Offspring, Henry Rollins, David Grohl and The Red Hot Chilli peppers, to name a few. Keithley has also written two books: I Shithead: A Life in Punk and TALK - ACTION = 0.

From day one, D.O.A. has helped organize and lead hundreds of benefit concerts and protests for good and just causes like environmental issues, women's rights, food bank benefits, and First Nations' rights. They have organized protests and stood against war, racism, weapons proliferation, and countless other causes.

Keithley has been called a cultural politician, trying to change the world from outside the system. He's currently running for Mayor of his home town of Burnaby, under the Green Party banner, attempting to change the system from inside. Keithley and the band were also ardent supporters of the Occupy Movement, realizing this was a step towards equality in our world. He is always looking for a way to push "grassroots democracy" and like his idol Pete Seeger, he and the band won't give up.

When the band takes their wild, unbridled show live show on the road, it's a must see, because it's a chance to see one of the last real punk rock bands that gets out there, kicks ass, and tells it like it is. It's a perpetual atmosphere of chaos, veering out of control, but somehow, at the last minute, D.O.A. manages to reign all of it back in. And in an indescribable way, you are not quite the same person afterwards.

TIME TO FIGHT BACK AND CHANGE THIS WORLD

TALK - ACTION = 0

Ya Hey! D.O.A. - Forty years and going strong

The "Men Of Action" are returning to the US for some unfinished business.

US TOUR DATES (w/ MDC as main support):

5/21 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
5/22 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
5/23 - Fort Collins,CO @ Hodi's Half Note
5/24 - Denver, CO @ Streets Of London Pub
5/26 - Las Vegas, NV @ Punk Rock Bowling Festival
5/29 - Laguna Niguel, CA @ Karmann Bar
5/30 - West Hollywood, CA @ The Viper Room
5/31 - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

6/02 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge
6/03 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
6/04 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
6/05 - Harlingen, TX @ Hop Shop
6/06 - Austin, TX @ Barracuda
6/07 - Houston, TX @ The Secret Group
6/08 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
6/09 - Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar and Grill
6/10 - Tulsa, OK @ Shrine
6/12 - Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
6/13 - Des Moines, IA @ Lefty's Live Music
6/15 - Billings, MT @ The Pub Station
6/16 - Spokane, WA @ The Pin!

US & CANADA TOUR DATES (w/ Down By Law + Kevin Seconds (of 7 Seconds) playing solo:

07/06 - Vancouver, BC @ First Annual Fight Back Festival, Rickshaw Theater

07/11 - Regina

07/12 - Winnipeg

07/13 - Thunder Bay

07/14 - Minneapolis

07/15 - Green Bay

07/16 - Madison

07/17 - Milwaukee

07/18 - Chicago

07/19 - Detroit

07/20 - Cleveland

07/21 - Buffalo

07/22 - Brooklyn

07/23 - Philly

07/24 - TBA

07/25 - Toronto

07/26 - Ottawa

07/27 - Montreal ¹77 Festival

Follow Joe and the D.O.A. gang on Twitter and on Facebook 

Straight Edge

STRAIGHT EDGE: 

A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History 

by Tony Rettman

Deluxe 400-page softcover book with foreword by Civ of Gorilla Biscuits

This ain't no F#ckhouse! 

This deluxe softcover runs 400 pages, features a foreword by Civ of Gorilla Biscuits, includes a full-color insert, and after is available HERE. This is the latest authoritative and exhaustive leap by Bazillion Points into the vast demi-world of a powerful DIY subculture. Launch events were mobbed at the Sonos NYC store, Bridge 9 Records in Boston, and Hold Fast Records in Asbury Park, NJ, where Tony Rettman sat for a riveting Q&A with Minor Threat's Brian Baker.

Starting in 1981 via Minor Threat's revolutionary call to arms, the clean and positive straight edge hardcore punk movement took hold and prospered during the 1980s, earning a position as one of the most durable yet chronically misunderstood music subcultures. Straight edge created its own sound and visual style, went on to embrace vegetarianism, and later saw the rise of a violent militant fringe. As the "don't drink, don't smoke" message spread from Washington, D.C., to Boston, California, New York City, and, eventually, the world, adherents struggled to define the fundamental ideals and limits of what may be the ultimate youth movement.

Tony Rettman traces the story of straight edge from adolescent origins to enduring counterculture via fresh first-hand accounts from the clear and alert members of Minor Threat, SS Decontrol, Youth of Today, DYS, Slapshot, Uniform Choice, 7 Seconds, Stalag 13, Justice League, Chain of Strength, No for an Answer, Insted, Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Bold, Project X, Lärm, Brotherhood, Shelter, H2O, Half Off, Resurrection, Raid, Strife, Earth Crisis, Vegan Reich, Mindset, Stop and Think, Mouthpiece, Floorpunch, Ten Yard Fight, Mental, Fucked Up, Trial, Have Heart, Praise, Clear, the Geeks, and many others.

Time Out New York calls the book: "a trip through the storied history of the straight edge punk movement, from its origins in 1981 as a call-to-arms from the band Minor Threat to its later flourishing as a fully-fledged counter-culture manifesto."

QUOTES

"What separates hardcore from punk is that punk was just saying, 'fkck this place.' Hardcore was saying, 'let's make a difference. Let's make our minds stronger and focus.'"

- Toby Morse, H2O

"We were out to create a revolution. We loved the power and energy of hardcore, but not the whole self-destructive punk ethos. We were into being healthy and living clean, mean, and smart."­

- John Porcelly, Youth of Today

"Straight edge became a religion. It's a very strange feeling to be one of the unwitting founders of this religion."

- Jeff Nelson, Minor Threat

"I'm honored to be part of this book, which accurately recalls a counterculture within a counterculture, a movement that changed the course of so many people's lives, including my own. Straight edge gave us some stable footing and handrails in a confusing time, and provided us a soundtrack of hard, positive, and life-affirming music to craft our progressive and positive adult lives. This book will serve as a crucial and authoritative glance into that world, shining light for fans around the globe on a time that we will never forget."

- Ray Cappo, Youth of Today

"I fxcking loved it! The SSD stuff was amazing, they were my game changer. I also really loved the Uniform Choice chapters. It's a great book. Tony Rettman has done it again, and I'm stoked to have a small part in it."

- Mike Ferraro, Judge

"I will look forward to having this on our coffee table and showing it and reading it with pride for my role in this beautiful movement, for what you've done and captured, and what straight edge was, is and will be."
- Dave Smalley of DYS/All/Dag Nasty

"Tony Rettman's book is THE CHOICE for a firsthand account of the history, inner workings, and real truth of straight edge, one of the most important cultural influences of the last century."

- Al Barile, SSD 

"A fantastic read and a true documentation straight from the people who made this small scene an important piece of music history."
- Dennis Lyxzen, Refused

"I love this book! Everyone's stories are tied together to bring validity to the subject. Rettman covered a lot of ground here, and I'm impressed."

- Steve Larson, Insted 

With A Name Like "Emmer Effer"...

Look @ Those "Emmer Effer's" Emmer Effer, Emmer Effer, Emmer Effer! Emmer Effer is set to release their debut full-length album, From The Bottom Down, via Felony Records on October 6. Check out an album teaser video here: https://youtu.be/gURepTz4OVw. Pre-orders will launch next week. A music video for the track "Two Timer" can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/JSLqyKVyW2E. Emmer Effer is a four-piece punk band from Los Angeles, California. Three members of the band were raised on South Bay punk rock, while Jake the drummer was raised on the punk sounds of the Pacific Northwest. This meshing of styles has resulted in a straight forward punk sound that is fast and to the point. Most songs are purposely kept under two minutes and guitar solos will not be found. Founded in 2012, the band released their first EP, Dead Men Tell No Lies, digitally on their own Emmer Effer Records in 2013. In 2016, Felony Records signed the band and released an EP on vinyl called The People Are The Answer. Emmer Effer headed back to Screaming Leopard Studios in Hermosa Beach in early 2017 to record their first full length with Ian Peterson, who has previously worked with Pennywise and Chaos Delivery Machine. The band spent a total of four days in the studio recording 19 songs. The songs on the album harken back to that mid-90s South Bay sound reminiscent of 98 Mute and Pennywise. Lyrically, Emmer Effer's are a glimpse into the everyday realities that many people go through, such as death, drugs, love, politics, and friendship.

www.facebook.com/EmmerEffer http://www.emmereffer.net http://thefelonyfamily.com

Got "Butthole" ???

Buttholes! Butthole Surfers "Let's Go to Hell" Scattered Memories of the Butthole Surfers by James Burns Finally tells the story that was thought (and often hoped) would never be told... 495 pages, 7x10" paperback published by Cheap Drugs Because life was made for "Butthole"

The Butthole Surfers remain one of the most enigmatic bands in the history of rock music. Most of their records have no information of any kind, and often with the suggestion that you play them at 69 rpm.... They lived like nomads through much of the 1980s, and built their reputation upon tours that never ended, and shows that resembled hedonistic acid tests. They left a heap of former band members in their wake, and have often alienated as many fans as they've attracted. Here for the first time is the complete story of one of the most controversial and dangerous bands to have emerged from the ashes of the punk rock movement.  Let's Go to Hell compiles the scattered memories into the first comprehensive overview of the band. Featuring exclusive interviews, tons of rare and unpublished photographs, and analysis of the band's vast recorded (and unrecorded) efforts, Let's Go to Hell finally tells the story that was thought (and often hoped) would never be told... Author James Burns lives in Saugerties, NY with his wife and four children. He founded Cheap Drugs Records in 2000. Let's Go to Hell is the 9th release of the label, and first book to bear the Cheap Drugs name... James been running the Butthole Surfers Anal Obsession archive for more years than he wants to admit. Order: http://outskirtspress.com/webPage/isbn/9780578164397

Bowl You Little Punk!

Get Ready for the 18th Annual Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival in 2016!

Punk Rock & Bowling go together like Fire & Gasoline, F#@k Yes!

Punk Rock Bowling is pleased to announce the first round of bands for the 18th Annual Punk Rock Bowling Tournament and Music Festival to take place in Las Vegas, NV from May 26-30 and the inaugural debut of PRB East in Asbury Park, NJ from June 10-12, 2016.

Due to overwhelming demand from our East Coast brethren that just can’t make the cross country trek to the City of Sin, we will celebrate our 18th Birthday on both coasts for 2016. And to take part in the celebration, Punk Rock Bowling is proud to announce a sneak peak of the lineup so far. . .

Flogging Molly, Descendents, Cock Sparrer, Flag, Exploited, Dagnasty, Subhumans, Dillinger Four, Anti-Nowhere League, Youth Brigade and The Dwarves have all signed on to play so far.

This is just the beginning for the 18th Annual Punk Rock Bowling Tournament and Music Festival.  Go to  www.punkrockbowling.com, and the new redesigned website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates and news around the festival.

“Not only are we are excited to bring Punk Rock Bowling back to downtown Las Vegas, but to finally bring our festival to Asbury Park, is a dream we’ve been talking about for years”, says co-founder Mark Stern. “What better place on the east coast is there for our fans who have wanted to experience our world of bowling, punk rock, and a gathering of our closest friends. Throw in an ocean view and the infamous Asbury Park Boardwalk and I think you’ve got yourself a great weekend.”

“And for those of you who will be coming to Las Vegas, we cannot wait to see you for a weekend of mayhem, bowling, poker, pool parties, late night club shows and of course the best punk rock festival in North America. Punk Rock music is a way of life, it’s the unwanted step child, it’s a community unlike any other and this event is a celebration of its existence as one of the most influential forms of music in the past 40 years.”

The outdoor music festival, which will take place at 7th Street and Stewart Ave. in Downtown Las Vegas and now also at The Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ is an all-ages event that features some of the best punk, ska, and hardcore bands from all over the world. Cheap drinks, a wide variety of innovative food options, as well as clothing and music vendors are welcome distractions throughout the day.

For more information visit http://www.punkrockbowling.com. 

Go "Hard" or Go Home, D.O.A!

D.O.A. "Hard Rain Falling" 

Brand New Studio Album -
OUT NOW

 D.O.A. - Their punk, their pioneers, get used to it! Wait...you already are!

D.O.A. is back with a vengeance! It looked like Canada's legendary punk pioneers were going to hang it up, as Joe Shithead Keithley, the godfather of "hardcore" sought political office, but that didn't happen this time so the political world's loss is the music world's gain. 

D.O.A. has a brand new album, Hard Rain Falling, out now on Sudden Death Records and iTunes, and a tour in the works. 

 

To come up with Hard Rain Falling, Joe, Paddy Duddy (drums) and Mike Maggot (bass) took inspiration from D.O.A.'s early classics: Something Better Change, Hardcore 81 and War on 45 and made the songs quick, short and right to the point. With anthems like "The Cops Shot a Kid," "Punk Rock Hero," "Warmonger," "Kicked In The Teeth" and "Racism Sucks," they take on environmental destruction, racism, street gangs and warmongers. There's even a cover of the reggae classic "Johnny Too Bad." Just what's needed from what some people call Canada's protest band.  

 

"The way I look at it, if D.O.A. is going to be relevant in these tough times, we have to stick to our roots and really stir things up," says Keithley, "we're still doing our best to change this god damn old world for the better." 

 

The first video from D.O.A.'s new album is Pipeline Fever, a funny and sarcastic look at the impending environmental disaster that will happen if oil companies manage to get their way and litter Canada and the USA with pipelines to move Canada's "dirty oil": Bitumen. The oil industry is eager to maximize profits by proposing not one pipeline for Bitumen from Alberta, but four in total: Northern Gateway, the Kinder Morgan expansion, Keystone XL and Energy East. 

"Canada is in the middle of an election and a big issue is oil pipelines, I, like most Canadians say transporting bitumen is a disaster waiting to happen, let's work on alternative clean energy,"  Keithley said. "Apparently PM Stephen Harper has learned nothing from BP's Deepwater Horizon 2010 Gulf of Mexico massive oil disaster, he cares nothing for our irreplaceable environment and future generations."

D.O.A. kick off their Hard Rain Falling tour in September.  Talk - Action = 0

 

D.O.A. Hard Rain Falling Tour Dates

Wednesday September 16th - Jimmy Jazz, Guelph, ON 

Thursday September 17th - This Ain't Hollywood, Hamilton, ON 

Friday September 18th - Bourbon, Barrie, ON 

Saturday September 19th - Main Stage Riot Fest, Downsview Park, Toronto, ON - 2 PM set time 

Saturday September 19th - Bovine Sex Club, Toronto, ON 

Sunday September 20th - The Moustache, Oshawa, ON 

Monday September 21st - Windsor Tavern, Van Kleek Hill, ON 

Tuesday September 22nd - Katacombes, Montreal, QC 

Wednesday September 23rd - Koto, Salem, MA 

Thursday September 24th - Firehouse 13, Providence, RI 

Friday September 25th , Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA 

Saturday September 26th - Bowery Electric, New York City, NY 

Sunday September 27th - Soul Sounds Inc, Sayville, NY 

Tuesday September 29th -Joe Keithley solo acoustic, Cherry Cola, Toronto, ON 

Tuesday October 6th - Spirit Bar, Nelson, BC 

Wednesday October 7th - Byng Roadhouse, Cranbrook, BC 

Thursday October 8th - The Vat, Red Deer, AB 

Friday October 9th - Brixx, Edmonton, AB 

Saturday October 10th - Joe Keithley solo show 3 PM, Cask & Barrel, Edmonton, AB 

Saturday October 10th Saturday October 10th - Nite Owl, Calgary, AB 

Saturday November 7th - Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver, BC 

 

D.O.A. West Coast USA tour November 10 - 22 TBA

Joe Keithley is on Twitter! Follow Joe and the D.O.A. gang on Twitter @DOAJoe and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DOAPUNK      

Are You A "Crate Digger?"

Crate Digger: An Obsession With Punk Records

by Bob Suren

Available on June 9th - Trade Paperback, 192 Pages - $14.95

An insider's account of the last 30 years of punk rock and vinyl records, 

including new information on many punk luminaries. 

Oh how fondly I remember "crate digging" - it was so much fun, I would go to the Tower Records once a week and find out what new vinyl I could buy, punk included. Yes, I was and still am a Punk Rocker!!!

Bob Suren spent more than 30 years immersed in punk rock. His obsession with punk music, culture, and especially record collecting began with a loaned mix tape in a small town in Florida when he was a teenager and slowly took over all aspects of his life.

He started a record label and distribution company, opened a record store, managed a thriving bootleg merchandise empire, published a magazine, promoted shows, and traveled the world with his own band. He mentored generations of younger punks and built a movement that put Florida on the map. He stayed a step ahead of all the ups and downs of the music industry, always pioneering.

Join Bob as he hangs out with punk luminaries like Jello Biafra, The Meatmen, Raw Power, Black Flag, The Dead Boys, Millions of Dead Cops, Rattus, and more. He relates his (mis)adventures breaking his curfew to see the Dead Boys' last show, almost getting arrested after seeing the Ramones, touring with his bands in Egypt, Ecuador, Brazil, and more.

As Jeff Nelson of Minor Threat said, "Really brings to life the early days of the American punk scene as it spread slowly across the country, through turntables, fanzines, and word of mouth. His vivid vinyl recollections illustrate how good record stores and adventurous college radio stations were so essential in bringing startling new music into the lives of many previously isolated kids. It follows the trajectory of a kid-turned-concert-promoter as his passion for music became all-consuming." 

Then one day it all fell apart. He'd built up his life like a record collection, but it didn't satisfy him anymore. He sold everything, dropped out, moved far from home to start fresh... and wrote this book.

Crate Digger is written in short spurts tied to actual records. The result is real, heartfelt, and deeply informed by the music of the last thirty years. It's a basic piece of your punk history collection. 

"Bob Suren delivers some great punk rawk history through anecdote and wit, intermingled with personal stories of love, loss, the characters that have come and gone and that elusive hunk of vinyl that's just around the next corner.... All spanning 30 years of Bob's life." 

- Ami Lawless, Voetsek 

"More than just your typical "record guide," Crate Digger allows us to accompany Bob on his passionate 30+ year punk rock journey. The anecdotal approach reminds us that, for the passionate music fan, there's a personal connection to a particular record that often conjures up various memories, both good and bad." 

- Al Quint, Suburban Voice magazine and Sonic Overload Radio. 

Purchase:  http://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/5296/

Shonen Knife Is On The "Top Of The World"

Yes, This Happened In August! OSAKA’S SHONEN KNIFE TO PLAY 1000TH SHOW ON 2014 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

Having covered The Carpenter's "Top of the World" on the compilation CD: If I Were A Carpenter - It seems fitting to toast Osaka Legends, Shonen Knife with said song to celebrate their 1,000th performance. Cheers!

Osaka, Japan’s legendary Shonen Knife are about to reach another milestone in their 30+ year career of bringing the joys of punk rock, fantasy and food to the hearts and ears of the fortunate. Shonen Knife's 1000th worldwide performance (since their inception in 1982) will take place in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota at The Turf Club on 9/16 during their upcoming 33 show North American tour. This latest visit takes place during the months of September and October in support of their latest album “Overdrive” released in April 2014 on Good Charamel Records. Shonen Knife will be taking requests for this special show from fans via their Twitter and Facebook pages, and the 1000th performance will also include an appearance by original Shonen Knife member Atsuko (sister of lead singer Naoko). The "Overdrive" tour has already seen successful runs in Europe, The UK and Japan and now Naoko, Ritsuko and Emi will be taking the show around North America including performances at “Anime Weekend Atlanta”, Buffalo, NY’s “Music is Art Festival” and a stop at the “Pop Montreal Festival” in Canada. Shonen Knife “Overdrive” North American Tour 2014 9/11 Philadelphia, PA Underground Arts: Black Box 9/12 Brooklyn, NY The Wick 9/13 Buffalo, NY Music is Art Festival (Delaware Park) 9/14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom 9/16 St. Paul, MN The Turf Club 9/17 Iowa City, IA The Mill 9/18 Chicago, IL The Bottom Lounge 9/19 Detroit, MI The Magic Stick 9/20 Toronto, ON The Silver Dollar 9/22 Cambridge, MA The Middle East 9/24 Baltimore, MD The Ottobar 9/25 Durham, NC The Pinhook 9/27 Atlanta, GA 529 9/28 Atlanta, GA Anime Weekend Atlanta 9/30 New Orleans, LA The Beatnik 10/01 Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s 10/02 Dallas, TX Club DADA 10/03 Austin, TX Red 7 10/06 Tucson, AZ The Flycatcher 10/07 San Diego, CA The Casbah 10/08 Los Angeles, CA Bootleg Theater 10/10 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill 10/11 Portland, OR Dante’s 10/12 Seattle, WA The Tractor Tavern 10/14 Boise, ID Neutrolux 10/15 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge 10/16 Denver, CO Oriental Theater 10/17 Kansas City, KS Record Bar 10/18 St.Louis, MO The Firebird 10/20 Pittsburgh, PA 3st Street Pub 10/21 Asbury Park, NJ The Saint www.shonenknife.net www.goodcharamel.com www.twitter.com/shonenknife www.facebook.com/ShonenKnifeOfficial