This Tour Ain't D.O.A!

I Licked It, So It's Mine!
D.O.A.

D.O.A. East Coast / Midwest "Fight Back" Tour dates announced

 

Godfathers of Hardcore 40th Anniversary Tour - July 2018

Punk is the new black!

D.O.A., the 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. Their new album is 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). The "Men Of Action" are returning to the US for some unfinished business. TOUR DATES: 7/13 - Lombard, IL @ Brauerhouse 7/14 - Green Bay, WI @ Lyric Room 7/15 - La Crosse, WI @ Cavalier Theater 7/16 - Saint Paul, MN @ Turf Club 7/17 - Davenport, IA @ Daytrotter 7/18 - Toledo, OH @ Frankies 7/19 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig 7/20 - Cincinnati, OH @ Mad Frog 7/21 - Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place 7/22 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Night Bazaar 7/23 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat 7/25 - Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage Lounge 7/26 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East 7/27 - Montreal, QC @ Parc Jean Drapeau

"You Need An Ass Kickin' Right Now" is the first video from D.O.A.'s new album Fight Back. Canada's legendary punks have always delighted in sticking it to pompous and despicable characters, so this new video carries on their fine tradition of defiance and irreverence. "In our modern world that is stuffed with ever increasing episodes of racism, sexism, greed and warmongers, it's time say enough is enough, time to fight back," said Keithley, the fearless leader of D.O.A.  In "Ass Kickin'" he takes on callous and tragic characters like: Kanye, Putin, Harvey Weinstein, Xi Jingping, Trump, and many more. "My only regret is that the song is only one minute and 20 seconds long, so we ran out of time to include more," concluded Keithley. Follow Joe and the D.O.A. gang on Twitter and on Facebook

"You Need An Ass Kickin' Right Now"

What the world needs now is D.O.A...Fight Back! "You Need An Ass Kickin' Right Now" is the first video from D.O.A.'s new album Fight Back. Canada's legendary punks have always delighted in sticking it to pompous and despicable characters, so this new video carries on their fine tradition of defiance and irreverence. "In our modern world that is stuffed with ever increasing episodes of racism, sexism, greed and warmongers, it's time say enough is enough, time to fight back," said Joe "Shithead" Keithley, the fearless leader of D.O.A.  In "Ass Kickin'" he takes on callous and tragic characters like: Kanye, Putin, Harvey Weinstein, Xi Jingping, Trump, and many more. "My only regret is that the song is only one minute and 20 seconds long, so we ran out of time to include more," concluded Keithley.

D.O.A., the 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. Their new album is 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, Keithley (guitar, vocals) he is more than ably accompanied by the manic rhythm section of Paddy Duddy (drums) and Corkscrew (bass). You Need An Ass Kickin' Right Now 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). The "Men Of Action" are returning to the US for some unfinished business. US TOUR DATES: 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 - Main Stage 5/29 - Laguna Niguel, CA @ Karmann Bar 5/30 - West Hollywood, CA @ The Viper Room 5/31 - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick 6/01 - Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole 6/02 - Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee 6/03 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar 6/04 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace 6/05 - Lubbock, TX @ TBD 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 6/11 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar  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 EAST COAST & CANADA TOUR DATES: 07/06 - Vancouver, BC @ First Annual Fight Back Festival, Rickshaw Theater 07/07 - Kamloops, BC @ Blue Grotto 07/13 - 07/25 - US Midwest to East Coast @ TBD w/ Kevin Seconds 08/15 - Duncan, BC @ Cowichan Theatre 08/16 - Quadra Island, BC @ The Legion 08/17 - Port Alberni, BC @ Rainbow Room 08/18 - Ucluelet, BC @ The Legion

The Sorcery of Naama Kates

Sorceress
Naama Kates 

My first introduction to Naama Kates was as a singer/songwriter, then I came to find out she was so much more. She is also an accomplished actress as well as a screenwriter. Now she can add full fledged filmmaker to her resume' with her directorial debut Sorceress, which recently got some much deserved attention at AFM (American Film Market.) To describe this movie would be unfair to the viewer. It is something one needs to experience on their own terms. 

Me? I loved it! Here to answer five questions about it is none other than the woman behind the madness Ms. Naama Kates! 

MS:  What was the inspiration for the film?

NK: Well to me all of life is an inspiration-- whatever happens, for better or worse, if it ends up as material, I can feel like it was worthwhile... I think that's especially important to remember now, during the hard times.  Film, music, literature, comedy, art in general, reminds us that we're not alone in any of it.

That being said, I started writing what became the film in short pieces of dialogue, impressions, usually from conversations I'd had or heard that felt interesting.  And then the location- Finland- where I did my artist residency, was a huge inspiration.  Other elements of the story, of course, came from my life, and from historical figures I found interesting- like Giordano Bruno, a 16th-century alchemist, and the obsession of the film's protagonist.  I wasn't even sure I wanted to make a film, until I had to write a proposal for the residency program.  Like with most of the bigger decisions in life, I act first, and figure it out later.  

MS:  How did it feel being a first time Director?

NK: I was all over the place!  We shot it over a really short period of time, with what felt like relatively little preparation.  On the other hand, I've worked on films before with even less preparation and planning... I hardly feel like I directed anything; I had great actors and crew and a great cinematographer, and I think those ingredients, paired with a good script, are most vital.  Since I also wrote it, I wasn't so sure about that last part- the good script- haha.  It was my first time doing anything like it.  At times it was sort of incredible-- all these great people were making my ideas happen!  But then I'd think, wait, are they all just doing this because it's the job?  Does anyone actually think this is a good idea?  Checks and balances are important! 

And I couldn't have had a better experience than I did in Finland.  Everyone was so professional, intelligent, humble and straightforward. And so talented!  It's an incredibly progressive society; there is virtually no sexism there and probably never has been, really.  I am extremely grateful for that. 

MS: The Cinematography was amazing, and played a role in the story. Where did you find the cinematographer?

NK: Thank you-- and, indeed!  The cinematographer, Jarkko T. Laine, is a member of the Finnish Society of Cinematographers, like our ASC, which is an invitation-only, very prestigious organization.  In the US, I think it would have been nearly impossible for a first-time filmmaker on my budget to get a member to shoot my movie, without pulling some serious strings.  Because Finland is a much smaller country (only 5 million people) and isn't so crazy when it comes to the movie business, the artists are more accessible; I went to the FSC website and emailed Jarkko directly, and then he brought on the A.D, Ville Gronroos, and A.C., Jenni Riutta, as well as the sound recorder, Akseli Soini.  That was our crew!  And they really brought it to another level. 

MS:  Now, I don't want you to give away the ending, but while I didn't see it coming in hindsight I should have.

NK: Hehe... well, so far I haven't heard from anyone that they saw it coming.  I wanted to leave it somewhat open to interpretation.  I think that, for people who resonate with the movie, it will probably be a somewhat familiar question: am I crazy? Is this real? Is it just a coincidence? Will anyone believe me?... I think most people have those moments, and I think that the answer is never clear.  It was easy to do in the script, but I questioned it during editing-- whether it was too ambiguous.  I didn't have any guidance while I was writing, but had quite a lot of invaluable input during post-production.  I was so connected to it by then, it was impossible to be objective.

MS: To me the film is ultimately about the creative process, what would you  like the audience to take away from their experience? 

NK: I like that.  I think it doesn't have to be about the creative process in the way we usually intend-- like, it doesn't have to literally be about art.  Just about thinking differently, feeling differently, than people around you.  Wanting to be understood, and then maybe feeling that connection with someone, and then losing it.  It's also largely about dealing with loss/grief.  I think those themes are rather universal, and really I just want an audience, period!  Haha!  And ideally, I hope they take that away-- a feeling of being understood, by the film itself... 

Naama on the WWW:

https://twitter.com/naamakates?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/NaamaKates/
https://www.reverbnation.com/naamakates
https://www.youtube.com/user/delilah11
www.imdb.com/name/nm0441809/