D.O.A.

D.O.A.

D.O.A. are a punk band from Vancouver, Canada, formed in 1978. They are associated with hardcore punk and are often discussed as one of the bands that helped establish the style, alongside Black Flag, The Germs, Negative Trend and Middle Class.

The band’s second album, Hardcore ’81, is widely seen as an early reference point for the term “hardcore” in relation to the second wave of American punk. D.O.A. have also issued records through Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label and record an album with him titled Last Scream of the Missing Neighbors.

Joe Keithley, also known as Joey “Shithead” Keithley, is the only founding member to remain with the group throughout its full history. Original bassist Randy Rampage later returns to the band in recent years and appears on one of the group’s last three albums, though he is not part of the current line-up.

D.O.A. are known for a strongly left-wing political stance and for performing at many causes and benefit events. Their slogan is “Talk minus Action equals Zero”, and their activism includes anti-racism, anti-globalisation, freedom of speech and environmental issues.