Hi friends, glad you've dropped in on us at Sudden Death. Playing in D.O.A. and running the label have been a life long dream come true. I get to produce great music, help the world hear that music and have a ton of fun at the same time. But I didn't get here by accident, myself and my comrades in D.O.A. we worked our asses off. I'm talking about all the D.O.A. members and crew, past and present and of course all the staff at Sudden Death. Here at SDR, we don't sign that many bands, but if I hear something I think is unique and has a lot of heart, then it's a go. Because the coolest thing about music is the freedom it gives you mentally and philosophically, that's what got me into all of this when I was 11 years old and that's what still drives me forward today. Finally, this is the other part I really dig, the opportunity to say what I think about the world. When I look at a hero of mine: Woody Guthrie, he traveled like a hobo by train, criss-crossing this great continent of ours, speaking to people, hearing their problems and that's what he ended up singing about: the people. I, in my own small way, have tried to do the same thing, at times it was a pretty rough road, but that's how I learned and understood that if you ask for a little, you don't get a lot. Almost everybody in this world aspires to do some good and I believe that we all can help make this world into a better place than it is now! Brand New: NO ESCAPE FROM WHAT YOU ARE album!October 16th, 2024 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Read Mass Movement's great review of the D.O.A. tribute album No Escape From What You Are.November 11th, 2024 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
NEW LIMITED EDITION HARDCORE 81 VINYL!October 2nd, 2024 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
New D.O.A. Fucked Up Donald release out now!August 22nd, 2024 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Posters!!June 6th, 2024 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Brand New Merch!!April 10th, 2024 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
BRAND NEW!September 28th, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Order your copy of War on 45 on Yellow Vinyl or Smash Vinyl now. Joe Keithley's New Solo Album.March 21st, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A. War on 45 40th Anniversary Re-Issue now available.June 2nd, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A. Release Very Limited Edition Splatter Vinyl!October 26th, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A. Release Fucked Up Donald in Limited Edition White and Red 7"!November 16th, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Pointed Sticks - Waiting For The Real Thing VinylSeptember 7th, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Out Now! Limited Edition Yellow and White Hardcore 81 12" VinylMay 1st, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A. SOMETHING BETTER CHANGE 40th Anniversary release!December 30th, 2020 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Available Now - Previously Unavailable VinylFebruary 26th, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A.'s 1993 Loggerheads album, last of stock!October 7th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Order your 40th Anniversary Harcore 81 LP and/or CD NowApril 23rd, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A. is back on tour!January 23rd, 2024 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Joe Keithley's STAND album named one of the best albums of 2023!January 2nd, 2024 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Fentanyl Blues Video Released!March 23rd, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Joe Keithley on Everyone Loves Guitar PodcastNovember 21st, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
New Video: Lookin' For A World from Joe Keithley's new STAND album.August 17th, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News War on 45 review from Punktuation!October 12th, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Order your copy of War on 45 on Yellow Vinyl or Smash Vinyl now. Incredible 500 piece D.O.A. puzzle.June 12th, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Great analysis of one of Punk's Greatest albums: War on 45 by Spectrum CultureJune 22nd, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
New: War on 45 "Songs of Power and Struggle" booklet written and autographed by Joey Shithead KeithleyJune 2nd, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Joe's new album STAND reviewed by Big Kitty magazine.May 14th, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Out of Print CD's and Cassettes!January 21st, 2023 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Brand New! Young Joey Shithead Bobblehead!October 26th, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Old School D.O.A. T shirts now in stockMay 1st, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Brand new: D.O.A. Skate Decks!July 19th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
New video for "It Was D.O.A." - What life is really like in D.O.A.!!!March 20th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Unearthed early D.O.A. video for The Prisoner!January 14th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Limited edition D.O.A. Commemorative Poster - Only 15 availableSeptember 14th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A.'s History of Hardcore BookletJuly 19th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A. play Rock Against Racism show and announce complete tour dates for 2022.May 29th, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Punk Rockers Walk the Walk!November 18, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
History and origin of Rock Against Racism.May 31st, 2022 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
New D.O.A. / Joe Shithead Guitars now available!September 14th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Get your own signed D.O.A. pick guard and picks!September 14th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A. plays Hardcore 81 in it's entierty.November 5th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Brand new: D.O.A. Trucker Hats!June 22nd, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A. Ladies Airborne T-shirt now available!October 7th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
New music from Shanghai's Roundeye!July 4th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Rekt Chords has posted an article with/about Joe Keithley and D.O.A.July 4th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
New DOA video: All The President's Men from DOA's new album Treason.October 6th, 2020 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Deepest condolences from D.O.A. and Sudden Death RecordsApril 3rd, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
New D.O.A. album Treason out now.February 25th, 2020 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Sudden Death Old School Sale: Vinyl, Puzzles, DOA hoodies and T's and more.November 22nd, 2019 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
D.O.A. "1978" Double 12" LP/CD out now!April 10th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
D.O.A. Videos.June 16th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
D.O.A.'s Hardcore 81 Wins Polaris Heritage Prize as one of the top Canadian albums of all time!November 4th, 2019 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Burnaby punk rocker/politician starts charity to fund music for kids.June 11th, 2019 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News Burnabynow has posted an article about Joe Keithley's new charity. Part of the article is below. " Punk rock legend Joe Keithley of the world-renown D.O.A. – he's also a newly elected city councillor - wants to help Burnaby children who want to play music, but who can't afford instruments or lessons. He announced on Saturday that he is teaming up with Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society to raise money and promote the Harmony for All program. “Music is universal,” Keithley said. “It can overcome poverty, hatred and it can unify people. That’s why I’m calling this program Harmony for All, because deep down we all know that love and understanding wins out over hatred every time.” Keithley talked about the impact that music had on him during his childhood in Burnaby." To find out how to donate instruments or cash please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Review links for DOA's new album TreasonApril 23rd, 2020 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
PUCK ROCK: How D.O.A. merged Punk and Hockey back in 1986April 22nd, 2020 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Album of the week at The Georgia Straight is...September 20th, 2019 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Joe Keithley for PM - Go Figure!May 6th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Burnaby's punk rock councillor collecting musical donations at farm market.December 4th, 2019 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Burnaby punk legend, councillor collecting instruments for a rocking Christmas.December 5th, 2019 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
The Georgia Straight has written article about D.O.A.'s new Polaris Prize win!November 5th, 2019 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
What the hell happened to Joey Shithead?September 28th, 2019 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
The Mass Movement Website has just published an article about 1978.May 30th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Artcore Fanzine: D.O.A. – 1978: UNRELEASED TRACKS/SINGLES DOUBLE LP/CDMay 15th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Northwest Music Scene: D.O.A.: Review: D.O.A. — '1978'May 15th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Michael Doherty's Music Blog: D.O.A.: "1978" (2019) CD ReviewMay 6th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Fingers on Blast! recently posted about D.O.A.'s new release "1978".May 6th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
SPILL NEWS: AGAINST ALL ODDS, CANADA'S PUNK GODFATHER JOE KEITHLEY ELECTED TO POLITICAL OFFICE | D.O.A. '1978' DOUBLE 12" LP/CD COMING MAY 3May 5th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
D.O.A. 1978 reviewed by Jack Rabid/Big Takeover MagazineApril 10th, 2019 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Punk Rock comes to Burnaby Council!October 24th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
D.O.A.'s Hardcore 81 nominated for album of the decade by CBC – Vote NowOctober 11th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
R.I.P. Randy RampageAugust 20th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Record Collector News has written an article about D.O.A.September 7th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
D.O.A. were recently featured in Vive Le Rock Magazine!June 13th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
D.O.A. releases first video from their brand new album Fight Back!"You Need An Ass Kickin' Right Now"May 15th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
D.O.A. preview in *L.A. Weekly*May 28th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
New album out now on CD, 12" black vinyl & limited edition 12" red vinylApril 24th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News “D.O.A., exciting like a knife fight in the back alley” Tom Hawthorn - Canadian music critic. 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: 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 are saying that Fight Back as the most innovative DOA album since War on 45. 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, then rips right into the startling Killer Cops, then smashes into the anthemic Time To Fight Back, which is street punk resistance at its fiercest. D.O.A. rips thru the timely Gonna Set You Straight with violent and natural ease, same goes with the vitriolic I Just Got Back From the USA. The album takes a DOA funny twist with: We Won’t Drink This Piss (down with bad corporate beer!) and You Can’t Stop Me, where Joe’s delves into the character of Slapshot’s playing coach Reggie Dunlop, a natural alter ego perhaps! FIGHT BACK For more information and to check out our perks, visit our GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/help-doa-record-40th-anniversary-album.
D.O.A. Return with 'Fight Back' LP, Map Out 40th Anniversary TourApril 6th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News Exclaim has published an article by Calum Slingerland about D.O.A.'s new album. A sample of the article: "Only weeks after announcing his plan to run for mayor, Joe Keithley has now teed up a new full-length record with his bandmates in D.O.A. Titled Fight Back, the iconic punk outfit's latest will arrive May 1 through Keithley's own Sudden Death Records." "The album is described as "a scathing and timely piece" that "deals with all manner of unseemly low characters and issues." It's hard to imagine anything but from a disc that boasts songs titled "You Need an Ass Kickin' Right Now," "Killer Cops," "Time to Fight Back," "I Just Got Back from the USA" and "We Won't Drink This Piss," to name a few." Read the entire article HERE
D.O.A.'s "Fight Back" was reviewed at Spill Magazine.May 3rd, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News D.O.A.'s 40th Anniversary Album "Fight Back"were recently reviewed by Spill Magazine. A portion of the review follows: It's always interesting to observe bands that have the staying power to endure through many decades, and D.O.A. is one of those bands. They have been able to create consistent, memorable works within their oeuvre, despite personnel changes over the years. Other bands of D.O.A.'s vintage achieve "icon" status simply by sticking around. The common trend is for bands of this type is to regroup after a break, come back with a new album, and mount a tour, in an attempt to re-capture some of their original mojo. These new recordings are rarely memorable, acting only as sonic business cards, to remind us that the bands still exist. Not so with D.O.A. To read the entire interview, head on over to http://spillmagazine.com/
D.O.A. interview for Music Life Magazine.netApril 25th, 2018 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News D.O.A. were recently interviewed for Music Life Magazine.net A portion of the interview follows: For four decades there has always been a mandate and mission behind the music of legendary Canadian punk band D.O.A. One of the founders of what became known as the more hardcore form of U.S. punk that also featured the likes of Black Flag and Bad Brains, D.O.A. has melded frenetic, insistent, ragged punk energy and musical stylings with a powerfully insistent social justice agenda, spearheaded by band founder, and the only member for its entire career, Joe Keithley, also known under his punk nom de plume – Joey Shithead. Now comprising fellow members Puddy Duddy on drums and Corkscrew on bass, the band is set to release its most recent studio album, Fight Backon May 1, through Keithley's own Sudden Death Records. It is the band's 17th release since debuting with Something Better Changein 1980, two years after forming in the suburbs around Vancouver, British Columbia. To read the entire interview, head on over to http://www.musiclifemagazine.net
SDR's Featured LP's and CD'sSeptember 18th, 2017 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News We've been updating our stock and thought it would be a good idea to feature some of the amazing cd's waiting for you in our warehouse. Some are available on cd and vinyl! Let us know if there is anything here that catches your eye! ***Fucked Up Donald available now on Limited Edition White Vinyl*** D.O.A./ Joe Keithley Star UnveillingNovember 15th, 2016 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News If you have a few minutes this Thursday at 5 PM I hope you can join me on Granville Street (for lots of fun!) Thursday November 17th, 5 PM , the Vancouver Hall of Fame will officially unveil the D.O.A./ Joe Keithley star on the sidewalk in front of 870 Granville Street This is kind of cool, as myself and the band are the first of the punk/alternative generation to be inducted. There will be a red carpet, a few short speeches and then we have a casual get together at the Bottleneck Pub, which is also conveniently located at 870 Granville There will appetizers and lots of D.O.A. music served up 5-7 PM Joe/D.O.A. *UPDATE November 21st, 2016* Watch the unveiling ceremony and Joe's thank you speech HERE. D.O.A.'s "Murder" Available again!January 14th, 2017 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News We now have LP's and CDs of this rare D.O.A. album for sale!! First time available in 27 years! Classic slab of D.O.A. history and music. 12 bloody great songs! Roundeye CD/LP Available!April 5th, 2017 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News New album out on CD and LP - Punk rock direct from Shanghai! DOA's Hardcore 81 nominated as album of the decade 1976-85.September 28th, 2016 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News Hey-A Hey-A Hey-A ! Sick of Donald Trump? It's time to vote for something that's real! In early 1981 Canada's punk pioneers D.O.A. recorded their 2nd album and called Hardcore 81. After a long North American tour D.O.A. had forced the term "hardcore" into the public vernacular and soon after it became a common phrase. But all punks knew (unless they were too wasted or not yet born) that D.O.A. had spawned an entire genre of music that stood up for itself , it's fans and it's ideals. Hardcore embodied independence, hard work, wild punk rock and especially the fledging DIY spirit that punk and hardcore would make it's trademark. It's influence would provide a path that would give clarity and inspiration far beyond the size of it's own underground scene. That's where D.O.A. comes in , as the harbingers of a new way of looking at the world, the band laid it all on the line, in a no holds barred , take no prisoners type of attitude that still rings true today. We know a poll like this can't do a lot to change the world, but by voting for Hardcore 81, you can let the world know what you think about society. and where we should be headed today in our pissed off, screwed up world. Thanks from D.O.A. Talk- Action = 0 Here's where to vote: https://t.co/1D44KoNjKb
April 6th, 2016 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News The video for "Not Gonna Take Your Crap No More" has been posted to YouTube today. Created by Cinestirfilms, and directed by Marcus Rogers. D.O.A. rally for living wages and corporate fairness on pay! Stop the exploitation. Even full time employment on minimum wage is below the poverty line. D.O.A. have been fighting for your rights since 1978! March 23rd, 2016 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News "After nearly 36 years, 17 albums and countless lineup changes, D.O.A. still show that power, angst and raunch they did all those years ago. Their latest offering, Hard Rain Falling, is 29 minutes of wham-bam hardcore punk rock that easily stands beside any of their earlier recordings." To read the rest of the article by Sean "Scruff" Newton, please visit the Discorder Website. February 8th, 2016 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News I really want to thank everybody who helped out on my campaign and those who donated as well. We did not win, but we made a significant dent in the two old time party machines. In Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, we increased the Green % of votes by 150%. The BC Liberal ground game in my riding was weak, but the NDP threw everything they had at CBM. They ran a candidate that will be on the bottom rung of a "top down" party and will have absolutely no say, just follow orders from the 10 people that run the BC NDP. The NDP spent $78,000 and had upwards of 200 volunteers (it was mentioned by their campaign manager that they would have close to 400 volunteers on the ground). For my campaign, we spent $15,000 and had about 3-15 volunteers at any given time. We ended up with 1/3 of the votes that the NDP received. So that's what I would call Green Math - we get more bang for the buck because we believe, and we know that we will overcome. We, as the only open-minded party in BC, will overcome political pettiness and the self serving path of the NDP and the BC Liberals. My friends, I ran and I will run again in CBM in 2017 because i believe in people, I believe in democracy and i believe in justice. Thanks very much for your support. Joe Keithley January 28th, 2016 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News "One could go in great length about the credibility and impact of these legendary Canadian punks. For the sake of brevity, let's just say that D.O.A. belong in the same sentence as Blag Flag and The Germs in terms of the indelible mark they've left on the punk scene." To read the rest of the article by SHRUM, please visit the New Noise Website. February 4th, 2016 Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News Brad Kent R.I.P. We all left Lumby in early 1976 and moved back to Burnaby. We rented a big dumpy house and started a rock band called Stone Crazy. Gerry dropped out of the picture and Brad became the defacto leader of the band. We played a few high schools, but we really didn't have the chops to make any dough and we barely had enough gear to play a show. One day Brad came running into the house huffing and puffing and carrying a brand new Les Paul guitar, which was unaffordable to all except rock stars and rich kid wannabes. Then he told us his tale, he had been eyeballing this guitar in a music store on Kingsway forever. That day he made a bold move, the store owner turned his back, and Brad grabbed the guitar and bolted across 6 lanes of rush hour traffic, almost got hit by two or three cars and ran into an alley with that guitar. Now I am not endorsing thievery, but that guitar became part of Brad's being, soul and our sound. We soon moved onto punk rock and we formed The Skulls, Vancouver's second punk rock band. The very first version consisted of Brad, Dimwit, Wimpy, Lee (Australian lead singer) and I. We played at the band shell in White Rock BC in August '77 and a mini riot ensued between The Skulls and the greasy audience. D.O.A. formed in February 1978, for the first little bit we were a three piece, then we brought Brad on board as the guitarist and I just sang. We gave Brad the rather crude nickname of Brad Kunt, I don't think he liked it that much, so I stick with Kent. For our very first road trip I booked a weekend at the Fab Mab in San Francisco with the late great Dirk Dirksen. We had no van, so I took the train, Randy and Chuck took the hound and Brad hitched hiked the 1,000 miles with his guitar, with no case or gig bag, to SF, he made the show with one hour to spare, The two shows became some of D.O.A.' s most famous ever. The first night, Brad broke a string on the 2nd song, so to entertain the crowd I wrapped my body in tape, while Brad changed the broken string. That's the way we were, we had nothing, so we improvised everything. Just before we saw The Ramones in Van in '77 and witnessed real punk rock, Brad, Dimwit, Wimpy and I would all play "Gong Shows'" ala Chuck Barris. We almost always got gonged, but we won one nite at the Coach House Pub in North Van, we spent our $50 first place prize on beer, no biggie, but as fate would have it, a 17 year Randy Rampage happened to be at that show. Brad, Dimwit, Dave Noga and I also formed a band called Victorian Pork, as kind of a lark, the Pork was the first of Vancouver's famous "fuck bands" where most members traded instruments for fun, Brad played guitar and I was the drummer. After those two shows at the Mab, Brad hung around with The Avengers, whom D.O.A. had opened for on that first nite. They became friends and Brad joined the Avengers and helped write the great song Corpus Christi. There's also the unfinished D.O.A. song Trident (Trident nuclear subs) that he wrote, that you can see on the footage of D.O.A. from the Canada Day concert at Stanley Park July 1, 1978 on YouTube. Previous to that, Brad was in Victorian Park and the very first version of the Subhumans with Wimpy and Dimwit. Brad and I kind of lost touch along the way, but he played in a bunch of bands with Rampage like the Sick Ones, Ground Zero and some other fine outfits. Brad lived life hard and it caught up to him in the end, just before he was hospitalized, he was coming back to Vancouver from Alberta for a show. Damn, now I would almost kill to hear him play again. This is tough to write, but as I type, Otis Redding's immortal Sitting On the Dock of the Bay comes on the radio – It just reminds that Brad had a beautiful and restless rock n' roll soul, that will never be completely satisfied and at the same time never extinguished. Big condolences to Mary, his family and his kids (your dad was something really special) Brad, you taught me how to rock and now I am shedding a lot of tears tonight, you were as talented as they come, I'm going to miss you. My friend, you'll live on in our hearts forever. Joe Keithley
Audio Visceral's new cd "Childish Behaviour" now available!January 5th Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News We are happy to now have stock of the new Audio Visceral cd in stock and ready to ship! Audio Visceral - Childish Behaviour {Sudden Death}Audio Visceral is all about earnest, catchy, energetic punk rock. The music is raw and upbeat; the songs are short and bittersweet. Influenced by everything from surf to hardcore, the members of A/V are all veterans of the Ontario underground/punk rock scene.
D.O.A.'s Hard Rain Falling and The Pointed Sticks new ST CD have been reviewed.December 11th Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News New Zealand's Scanner Zine has reviewed 2 of SDR's most recent releases. D.O.A. - Hard Rain Falling {Sudden Death} Fucking hell - this is smoking!! D.O.A has recorded some average-to-mediocre albums in its time but this baby has to be the best since 'Murder' at least. The opening salvo of 'Punk Rock Hero', 'You've Gone To Far' and 'The Cops Shot A Kid' would not sound outta place on 'Something Better Change' or even 'Bloodied But Unbowed'. 'Warmonger' follows and it would fit on 'War On 45' with ease. Yes - we are talking D.O.A that good. Then you get 'Racism Sucks' and I'm thinking 'Hardcore 81' and 'Ni Hao' could be 'Let's Wreck The Party'. Sure, it's not perfect. The low point of the album is either the cover of THE SLICKERS 'Johnny Too Bad' (which isn't bad - just not as effective as THE 'TONE's version) and 'He Joined The Gang' which on any other latter day D.O.A album would fit in well, but it just doesn't quite cut it with the same kind of savagery as the rest of this. Includes a great cover of JOHNNY CASH's 'San Quentin' too. Production is bold, crisp and cutting and Keithley's vocals snarl like an old grizzly. It's without a doubt that when Joe Keithley is writing songs like these, he is pretty much beyond compare. Total return to form - stunning. (11.12.15) Order your copy today!
POINTED STICKS - Northern Electric {Sudden Death} Latest release from this Canadian Power-Pop band that released the minor classic, 'Perfect Youth' album back in 1980. Three original members from that era remain and, while this is not quite the album 'Perfect Youth' is, it's still an impressive slab of well-crafted tunes. Think TV SMITH's solo work, a bit of BIG STAR, T.REX and Steve Wynn and the DREAM SYNDICATE and you're pretty close. Highlights would be the rolling 'Impatient' and 'You're Not The One' but the standout is 'Tsune's Song' that's got a soaring chorus, subtle but effective backing vocals and a great key-change at the end. Elsewhere 'Tin Foil Hat' is a neat, almost swing-style number and 'Skerabap' an inventive acoustic guitar instrumental. Personally, I would have liked to have heard the guitar more to the fore in the mix; a bit too often it seemed to take second place to keyboards or other instrumentation (including a rather good brass section, especially on 'Yesterday's Girl'). This definitely gets better with repeated plays and, here's a hint - this might be one of the year's most underrated gems. (26.11.15) Order your copy today! Read more reviews from Scanner Zine HERE.
Hard Rain Falling review in The Georgia StraightOctober 22nd Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News "D.O.A.'s Hard Rain Falling is their fiercest yet" by Allan MacInnis on October 21st, 2015 Read the review on the Georgia Straight website.
DOA "Hard Rain Falling" album review in Big Takeover
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Don't forget to vote on October 19th!!
October 6th Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
September 15th Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
D.O.A. to play same spot as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger did at Stelco Plant D.O.A., Canada's legendary punk pioneers will play a rally for United Steelworkers Local #1005 at the MANA Steel Plant in Hamilton, Ontario. The workers have been on strike for close to two years trying to get a reasonable offer from MANA. It is of historical significance that D.O.A. will play on the same spot that Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger did back in 1946. D.O.A. having shared the stage with Pete Seeger back in the 80's. Joe Keithley, leader of D.O.A., author of the anthemic song General Strike, BC Green Party candidate and 30 year union member had this to say "These workers have a right to a living wage and fair treatment like everybody else in this country. A lot of the folks that helped build our great country are being kicked pretty hard, so it is an honour to stand up for them and play this rally." The performance is scheduled for 2:15 - 2:45, right when the scab replacement workers shift ends at 2:30. For more information contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
August 26th Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
August 26th Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Buy your copy today in the SDR STORE.
D.O.A. ranked #22 in "CBC Music's 100 best Canadian bands ever"!
June 30th Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Band: D.O.A. "I'm a big DOA fan, and they have a very special place in my heart because I snuck into a DOA concert when they played St. John's, N.L., and I don't know how I got in there because I was probably 14 at the time. I was way too young to be sneaking into bars, but my brother somehow got me in, and he loved punk rock, so of course I loved punk rock, and DOA was a big part of those years, they were serious punk rockers, and that show was absolutely amazing." The see the entire list and read the endorsements, head on over to the CBC Website. |
Brian "Wimpy Roy" Goble Tribute show
January 7th Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
Last night 250 people jammed the Wise Hall to say goodbye to the late, great Brian Goble aka Wimpy. Preceding the musical tribute to our fallen comrade were tearful and funny memories recounted by a long list of friends. Performers included the Frank Frink 5 , The Bughouse Five and The Bloated Cows. The Cows are Ford Pier, John Card Mike Graham and myself. We played 10 of Wimpy's great songs he had written for The Subhumans and D.O.A. The Cows were joined on stage by a great bunch of guests including John Wright (No Means No) Nick Jones (Pointed Sticks) Gerry Hannah (Subhumans) and Jesse gander (d.b.s.) The whole evening was fitting farewell to one Canada's greatest musicians, a great father and one of my best friends. - Joe Shithead Keithley
Now available on SDR!
January 7th Posted by Joe Keithley in SDR News
You can now find these incredible releases in Our Web Store!
subS - yoU aRe yoU - CD $10 |
Modernettes - Teen City - CD $10 , 12" Vinyl $15 |
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D.O.A. - Positively D.O.A. - CD $10, 7" $6 |
Wolfpack - Seen Not Herd - CD $10 |
D.O.A. benefit show to fight Kinder Morgan Pipeline Expansion
Joe Keithley founder of legendary punk band D.O.A and lifetime activist has joined in the fight to try and stop the expansion of the Kinder Morgan oil pipeline and the quadrupling of tanker traffic in Burrard Inlet. The concert will be held at the Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver on Saturday January 31st. Joe is putting together an all star cast of BC's best musicians to raise money for the legal defense of the pipeline protesters and to keep the public engaged and aware of the potential harm that this pipeline expansion represents. "It's outrageous the way Kinder Morgan is trying to bully peaceful protesters, the city of Burnaby and the province of BC. It's up to us, the people, to protect our rights and our democracy. The National Energy Board hearings are looking more and more like a sham with a per-ordained outcome. " Joe recently said. "It's only going to take one spill to destroy our beautiful coast. We're going to be pro active and try and put a stop to this. Transporting bitumen through inland coastal waterways is insane."
The pipeline which runs from Edmonton, Alberta to its terminal in Burnaby, British Columbia has applied to Canada's National Energy Board to triple its capacity and will greatly increase the amount of tanker traffic in Vancouver's Burrard Inlet carrying unrefined bitumen. A dangerous move that is being pushed by Canada's risk taking ruling Conservative Party. The federal government has made only the token of effort to try and speed up our transition towards renewable energy. After a recent D.O.A. tour Joe said "While touring Germany and I was stunned by the amount of wind turbines and solar panels providing renewable energy, especially when you compared to Canada. We are failing a great test as a country, we should be ashamed."
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Join the Facebook Page for this Saturday's event.
Brian Goble Eulogy RIP
Brian Goble aka Wimpy aka Sunny Boy aka Sunny Boy Roy has left us and this world is much poorer because of that. Brian, just 28 days short of his 58th birthday died of a heart attack on Sunday December 7th, 2014. I am writing this because of the loss and heartache I feel out of losing a lifelong friend, but also to remember what a vital and amazing person Wimpy was. The toughest part is the thinking about the children he has left behind, his son Dillon, his daughter Sarah and his step son Cole, who Brian helped raise. My most heartfelt condolences to them and to Brian's older brother Roger.
I first met Brian in 1963 walking home from Lochdale Elementary School in Burnaby, BC. Around the same time I also met Gerry Hannah (Gerry Useless) who lived very near Brian, they were six years old and I was seven and we all lived on Burnaby Mountain. About four years later the three of us befriended Ken Montgomery (Dimwit), whose family had moved to the Lochdale area. From elementary to high school our friendship grew, through our collective love of music and social/political consciousness till we became the best of friends and inseparable. It occurred to me later on in life that we truly were "The Four Amigoes".
The four of us started our first high school band called Misty Grey and we were terrible, but we were learning. In 1975 when we were around 18 and 19 years old we left Vancouver in an attempt to "get back to the land". We were kind of junior hippies in a sense in the small BC towns of Lumby and Cherryville, that was a lot of fun but ultimately that fizzled out. We moved back in Vancouver and started a cover rock band called Stone Crazy, Brian on bass, Gerry on vocals, Dimwit on drums and Brad Kent and I on guitar. We got our first booking in Merritt BC and promptly got fired and our collective asses kicked out of town before "the locals cut you guys in two with their chainsaws".
Well that unfortunate booking led us to abandon that predictable approach to rock n' roll and to take on the new ground breaking style of punk rock, which we did with an unparalleled zeal. We started Vancouver's second punk band in the summer of 1977, we called it The Skulls. Brian was becoming a stalwart on bass, Dimwit was well on his way to becoming one of Canada's greatest drummers ever and Simon Werner was an ace on guitar. That left just me, by default I became Joey Shithead, "That maniac on vocals". We were soon dubbed "Vancouver's most hated band by Tom Harrison of the Georgia Straight. We played around Vancouver for awhile, then in October 1977 we all moved to Toronto to join the "scene" there. Gerry Hannah, looking for adventure, moved to Toronto with us and this is how the legend of "Wimpy" was born. Gerry was writing songs but had no band, so we had Gerry play bass, Wimpy sang, Simon played guitar and I drummed, we called this obnoxious outfit Wimpy and the Bloated Cows. Thus Brian finally had a great punk rock nickname and also the tradition of "fuck bands" was born, where people traded instruments and made up instant bands.
At the start of 1978 Wimpy and Simon moved to the U.K. with a plan to have The Skulls invade London! Good plan but Dimwit and I screwed up the plan by moving back to Vancouver, Wimpy was broke and freezing in London, so he soon followed. When he got back, Wimpy started the early Subhumans along with Dimwit and Brad Kent. (this was about the same time I started D.O.A.). That line up soon merged with The Stiffs, solidifying the Subhumans classic line up of Wimpy on vocals, Gerry Useless on bass, Mike Graham on guitar and Dimwit on drums. Notably left out of the arrangement were good pals Zippy Pinhead, Sid Sick and Brad Kunt. But one of Canada's greatest bands were on their way.
Featuring the great songwriting of Wimpy, Gerry and Mike, the powerhouse drumming of Dimwit, the Subhumans were led by Brian Wimpy Roy Goble, the most original front man as you could find this side of Iggy Pop. It's not totally clear but I do believe that Wimpy invented "crowd surfing" when Mike would start playing lead Wimpy would jump into the crowd, then one night the crowd caught him and held him up, I had never seen anything like it. Brian was a powerhouse vocalist, our old soundman Hutch believed he had a special power to fire out vocals louder than any human ever had! The Subhumans put out two sterling albums as well as a number of singles and a four song EP, before they broke up in 1982. They later reunited (with Jon card replacing Dimwit) and released two albums.
So in March 1982 Brian joined D.O.A. along with Dimwit (RIP). They replaced Chuck Biscuits (Dimwit's little brother) and Randy Rampage as our rhythm section. Exceptional they were and the two of them, along with Dave Gregg (RIP), myself and producer Thom Wilson recorded in Los Angeles for five days and cut D.O.A.'s 3rd album "War on 45" (some call it an 8 song EP) in any case I would rate that album in D.O.A.'s top four. On that record you hear just how innovative that Brian was on the bass.
Brian was a huge part of D.O.A. from 1982 -1996, we went through personnel changes that included great musicians like Jon Card, Chris Prohom, Ken Jensen (RIP), Ford Pier, Brien O'Brien, John Wright amongst others. I recorded seven albums with Brian: War on 45, Let's Wreck The Party, True North Strong and Free, Murder, 13 Flavors of Doom, Loggerheads and The Black Spot and a number of other releases. After well over a thousand shows around the world, Brian quit D.O.A. after 14 years, making him the second longest serving member of D.O.A.
There are some things I'll never forget, when were both about 11 or 12 Brian introduced me to hockey, we played on the street in our rubber boots with golf balls, boy did that hurt when he would take a slapshot at my net and I got it right on the ankle. Brian and I also played minor hockey together in Burnaby and he later became a devastating hard hitter playing right wing for the D.O.A. Murder Squad. There was the time in Germany when Italian army deserters tried to steal his passport and he ran out of the bar with only one shoe, yelling "Hans Peter help me! Hans Peter help me!". Or on an early tour in Europe when him and I had never seen a mini bar in a hotel bar before, so on my advice we drank the bar dry and in the morning we had to make a run for it from the hotel staff when they wanted the dough! Or the time he was two fisting bottles of wine at a gig in Slovenia and the ride back to the hotel ended up with a Technicolor yawn on the side of the van! There was also the sense of self preservation when Brian, Dave, Dimwit and I barely escaped L.A.P.D. billyclubs at a couple of different police vs. punks riots in Los Angeles. This is indelible stuff that I shared with Brian, that is now part of my very soul and being.
Brian was a humanist, a great father, an incredible singer and bass player, he believed in free speech, was always against war and he would speak up against bullshit. He was also one of my best friends and I'll miss him forever.
Long live the spirit of Wimpy!!! Rest in Peace.
Joe Shithead Keithley
*Musical Benefit/Wake for the Late Great Wimpy Roy - Wise Hall, Vancouver BC, Tuesday January 6th Featuring three great bands: Frank Frink Five, Bughouse Five and The Bloated Cows (Joe Keithley, Ford Pier and John Card) Playing Wimpy's songs from The Subhumans and D.O.A.
Admission by donation, all proceeds will go to Wimpy's family.
Click images for larger view.
The New D.O.A.
Photo by Tom Wiebe
Paddy Duddy - Drums, Joey "Shithead" Keithley - Guitar + Vox, Mike Hodsall - Bass + Vox
Obituary: A godfather of hardcore punk
Thanks very much to John Mackie at the Vancouver Sun for his article about Dave.
Read the article HERE.
Long live the spirit of Dave Gregg !!!
(Photo by Dan Scott)
D.O.A. guitarist Dave Gregg - Rest in Peace
D.O.A. guitarist Dave Gregg - Rest in Peace
It is with unbelievable sorrow that I have to talk about the passing of Dave Gregg. He died of a heart attack this past weekend. I can't even come close to being able to express strong enough condolences to his wife Cathy and the rest of Dave's family.
Dave was a member of D.O.A. from 1980-88 and played some screaming guitar licks on the following albums: Something Better Change, Hardcore 81, War on 45, Let's Wreck The Party, True North Strong and Free and finally on Murder. He was a great guitarist and an unbelievable showman.
But more importantly he was genuinely nice guy and a caring human being, who had one of the most wicked senses of humor I have ever come across.
On long D.O.A. tours Dave (usually the overnight driver) and I along with our comrades Chuck Biscuits, Randy Rampage, Ken Lester, Dimwit (R.I.P.), Brian "Wimpy Roy" Goble, Greg "Peckerwood" James and Jon Card would while away the hours with almost endless conversation. But it usually came down to Dave and I still gabbing into the wee hours. We would scheme about how to change the world and possible wild scientific breakthroughs as we endlessly put up really shitty music on the radio (not much has changed). Dave and I also became very familiar with prices of every kind of crop grown across America and many a gospel preacher on that same radio in the Dodge van we called the Blue Bullet. At one point when D.O.A. had been playing close to 10 years, Dave and I calculated that we had spent four of those 10 years in vans, traveling to shows. As Dave drove he would furiously work his way through bag after bag of spits (sunflower seeds), he would deposit the shells in the door sill of the driver side door until the pile would reach a height of about 12 inches, that was a badge of honor.
On our first tour with Dave he got really drunk at the second show and forgot about half the arrangements, as he stood on the opposite side of the circular bar at the venue we had just played, he smirked at me with a particularly dazed look, I realized I had to get him to shape up, so I threw my 3/4 full can of beer across the bar and nailed him in the forehead. Dave rarely forgot an arrangement after that and went on to become a consummate musician and performer.
I could probably write a book about funny Dave Gregg stories and maybe even promote his one man organization: The New Spartans! LOL
I really wish I had one more chance to sit down with him and cover some of that ground again and explore new avenues of thought, but I can't and that sucks.
Dave, we will all miss you tremendously, but you will live on in our hearts.
Long live the spirit of Dave Gregg !!!
Joe Shithead Keithley - March 31st, 2014
(Photos by Amy Mann from a show called The Eastern Front 1981 Berkeley, California.)
D.O.A. To Hell N' Back DVD
90 minutes of D.O.A. LIVE - 30 Classic D.O.A. hits. Includes free CD and bonus footage.
Produced by Marcus Rogers, Joe Keithley and Sean Holowaychuk.
Executive producer: Dominik Bednarski
Get yours HERE!
D.O.A. - Welcome To Chinatown
New 25 track D.O.A. double live album and 28 Track live CD out now! Get yours HERE!
D.O.A. Welcome to Chinatown
Hardcore 81 named #86 in top 100!
Sudden Death 30th Anniversary reissue of D.O.A.'s classic WAR on 45
Sudden Death Records is pleased to be reissuing the classic D.O.A. album "War on 45" for the 30th Anniversary of it's release.
To get your copy today, click HERE.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, councillor Joe Keithley record rock anthem against racism.
August 4th, 2020 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and I have teamed up to record a song about
standing up to racial intolerance and promoting diversity, it's called
You Won't Stand Alone. Burnaby is one of Canada's most diverse
communities and the Mayor and I believe that is a great strength. It's
time that we as Canadians stand up to racism anywhere, anytime, any place. Read the article about the song/video at The Straight. |
Joe Keithley and Mayor Mike Hurley of Burnaby release Pandemic Benefit Single on iTunes.
All proceeds go to the Greater Vancouver Food bank.
April 30th, 2020 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well during the Pandemic. I have written a song called We're All In This Together. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and I recorded and shot a video of the song and our hope is that people out there will keep social distancing and be kind to those around you. You can go to iTunes to purchase the single and all the proceeds go to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. If we all stick together, we can get through this. Make time to phone a friend to cheer them up, help a senior, support the front line workers: make a difference. If we stay strong and rally we will get through this and on the other side let's work together to create a more compassionate and caring society. Keep your spirits up my friends. Talk - Action = 0 Joe Keithley
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Hand Painted Custom Made D.O.A. shoes.
April 25th, 2021 Posted by SDR WebMaster in SDR News
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