D.O.A. - “To Hell N’ Back” DVD+CD

Bounty of live footage of Canadian punk legends

Ah, the inimitable Joe “Shithead” Keithley and DOA still bring it, being Vancouver’s far-and-away godfathers of punk. This 90-minute selection of live footage covers some of their gigs from 2011 to 2013, and it’s a fine showing of blitzkrieg punk in the classic vein like few others can do. Quality here is decent to good, and certainly better than bootlegs, so fans (you know who you are) need to grab this one pronto.

Plenty of the greats are here, from “Police Brutality” to “Class War” to “Fucked Up Ronnie”, with around 27 others to pummel and educate you, and that’s not even including the bonus footage.

And to further sweeten the deal, there’s a free CD attached, as well, that being the band’s 2012 album “We Come In Peace”, which you can believe is packed with essential punk-ass madness like only Joey Shithead can conjure. You get guest vocals from Jello Biafra on a remake of the band’s classic “General Strike”, and several other less-notable guests to add color to DOA’s already diverse sound. 

DOA’s political side is more than evident as always, as are their odes to marijuana and beer, but that’s not telling you anything you don’t already know. DOA basically wrote the book on punk in Canada, so here’s a toast to one of the greats. Hail DOA!

Sudden Death Records

D.O.A. - "We Come In Peace" CD

Among classic late 70's punk bands, Vancouver's stalwart D.O.A. have never left the building. After a shit-ton of records and 30+ years, Joey Keithley (aka Joey Shithead) and friends keep on their path, raising hell with politically-aware and socially-conscious punk anthems (alongside the occasional odes to beer and hockey). 

"We Come In Peace" is ripe with classic, raging, full-on punk anthems with guts and  glory. "Dirty Bastards" brings an Irish flair (it's the bagpipes). "Bloody But Unbowed" is a more straightforward rock, whereas "War Hero" has some definite rock-steady ska vibes. "We Occupy" brings in guest vocals by Jello Biafra, but "Who The Hell Do You Think You Are" brings it all back to the classic punk singalong arena. The Beatles "Revolution" is done up in traditional D.O.A. style, but seems to fall a bit short. The dub-tinged "Walk Through This World" is a definite ode to Joe Strummer and the Clash. It all closes out with an acoustic rendition of "General Strike". With D.O.A., you know what to expect, and "We Come In Peace" does not disappoint. (Sudden Death Records)

D.O.A. - "Kings Of Punk, Hockey And Beer" CD

Vancouver's venerable legends of hardcore punk rock just keep on truckin', and they have not tempered their attack at all over the course of their long and influential history. This new selection of 13 tracks pay homage to some of the band's biggest inspirations -- punk, hockey and beer. There's anthemic sing-along choruses galore here, strong classic punk-style songwriting, and a requisite sneering sense of roughneck humor. "Donnybrook" starts off the face-off with a fast and fun-loving punk/hockey mashup anthem. I enjoyed "Beer Liberation Army", too, which needs no explanation. "Pencil Neck Geek" covers wrestler Classy Freddie Blassie to good effect, and the breakneck "Logjam" is full-on ragin'. "Coctail Time In Hell" is a good, old-fashioned drinkin' song, and the closing cover of BTO's "Taking Care Of Business" somehow fits. Rowdy, raucous, catchy, raw, and a good time all the way through, D.O.A. are at the top of their game here. (Sudden Death Records)

D.O.A. - "30th Anniversary DVD" ("The Men Of Action" DVD + "Northern Avenger" CD)

This is a cool package combining a retrospective DVD as well as the band's new album. Vancouver's D.O.A., led by Joe "Shithead" Keithley, are an institution -- easily one of Canada's greatest musical contributions (respect to Skinny Puppy). This 26-song DVD collects live clips, TV appearances, and some promo videos from 1978 to now, and it's an entertaining look at the band, from bootleg-quality material to pro-shot, multi-camera goodness. It's all great, from hits like "Fucked Up Ronnie" and "America The Beautiful" to a sweet new video for the band's classic "D.O.A." from 1978. D.O.A.'s ideals are on display here -- pro-environment, atheist, pro-human (and women's) rights, anti-war, and anti-racism. As well, there's plenty of references to their other loves --- hockey, beer, etc. So it's not all heavy-handed polemics. Beyond this fine DVD, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the band, Keithley himself narrates an extra audio track, whereupon he discusses not only the videos, but countless tales (good and bad) from the band's illustrious and storied history. It's great fun, and quite the Canuck-punk history lesson.

The added CD is the group's new studio work, and was co-produced by famed Canadian rock producer Bob Rock, who's pedigree includes such nonsense as Aerosmith and Motley Crue. Nonetheless, he allows Shithead and company to shine, with a clean (but not sterile) sound. Musically, it's prime D.O.A. (they never seem to age) -- smart punk with bits of ska ("That Poor Poor Boy"). There's anger, activism, and plenty of catchy, singalong raucousness. A great set, and further proof that D.O.A. are as vital and relevant today as they ever were. (Sudden Death Records / MVD Visual)