BY JOEL SCHOMBERG

Punk legends D.O.A. are playing at Jazzbones and it’s a show you won’t want to miss!

Canada’s D.O.A. were one of the founders of Hardcore Punk, along with other notorious legends like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, and Bad Brains. But the difference between DOA and those other bands is that D.O.A never stopped.

They have been continuously putting out new music, touring and keeping punk alive and relevant since they first formed in 1978. Over the last 4 decades, they have released 18 studio albums and played over 4,000 shows on 5 different continents in 50 different countries. Singer Joey “shithead” Keithly estimates this will be their 9th time visiting Tacoma.

In addition to being known as the Godfather of punk, Keithly has written two books and helped organize hundreds of protests and benefits for causes such as women’s rights, food banks, First Nations rights, union and environmental issues. And in 2022 Keithly was re-elected to his second term as city councilor in his hometown of Burnaby, Canada.

Joey is an unrelenting artist and activist, and truly someone that not only talks the talk but walks the walk. I asked Joey over the phone about how he balanced playing punk rock and being a politician. He told me very casually that  it’s just a matter of “Translating informal politics of music into formal politics” and he encourages everyone “whether you are a musician, a carpenter, or whatever ... start at a local level to affect change.”

D.O.A.’s music hits hard and never shies away from politics but always adresses it with a sense of humor. A perfect example of this is in the song “All the Presidents Men” from their 2020 album “Treason” which is almost prophetic in its critique of the Trump administration nearly a year before the attempted fascist coup on America’s democracy.

“You see them now, copping a plea,
cutting a deal to stay free
But they’re running out of places to hide.
The money was good, they built a stash,
prosecution is coming fast
The president was never on your side.
Humpty Dumpty wanted a wall
But Humpty Dumpty is gonna have a fall”

Joey’s message to the people of Tacoma and why you should come to the show? “It will be the craziest, fastest, loudest, punk rock show you have ever seen! D.O.A. always bring their best.” What more reason do you need? D.O.A. w/ Acid Teeth, Let Me Downs, & Maggot Puss performs Friday, November 3rd. Doors open at 8 p.m.,