D.O.A. @ Café Chaos

By Idle Matt - Idle Minds - 06/18/2006

"They rock out. They blow the roof off. Some of the best shows I've seen in my life were D.O.A. gigs. I've never seen D.O.A. not be amazing."
- Henry Rollins

27 years on and Vancouver's legendary D.O.A. are still touring on a regular basis. I don't use the term "legendary" loosely; D.O.A. are often cited as one of the best early hardcore punk bands, let alone Canadian punk bands. Hell, D.O.A. arguably invented the term "hardcore" with their album Hardcore 81. Seeing lead singer and guitarist Joey Shithead work a crowd is a thing of beauty, injecting every show with just the right mix of rock star moves, banter and political content.

This occasion marks the third time I've seen D.O.A. in three years and once again, they didn't fail to entertain. In fact, this was my favourite one of the three shows I've seen. I chalk this up to song selection and the unexpected -- to me at least -- return of original bassist Randy Rampage. A member from the band's inception in 1978 until the end of 1981, Randy was involved with most of the early D.O.A. singles and full-lengths that I consider essential (which is pretty much anything before Let's Wreck The Party. Looking at him, it's hard to believe that he was -- and is -- part of the band. It might have been the long blonde hair and the bandana, a look he's maintained since the 80's during which he was the lead singer of Canadian thrash metal band Annihilator. Yes, that was him singing "Alllllliiiiiiice in hellllllll!" (ah... I'm reliving memories of watching the Pepsi Power Hour on MuchMusic in the late 80's. RIP Dan Gallagher).

As for song selection, D.O.A. played every song I wanted them to play. This included personal favourites "World War III", "The Enemy", "The Prisoner", "Nazi Training Camp", "Class War" (a Dils cover) and just in time for the Stanley Cup finals, a rousing version of "Overtime", their contribution to Johnny Hanson Presents Puck Rock Vol. 1, including the crowd-pleasing Hockey Night In Canada theme song interlude. Joey predicted an Oilers win. Well, you can't win ‘em all.

I'd be remiss to not mention The Great Baldini (a.k.a. Jan Rodgerson), their drummer since 1999. Honestly, he's one of the best punk drummers I've ever seen, with a very aggressive playing style that suits the music perfectly.

The band played two songs during the encore, and amazing choices they were. Fittingly, Randy introduced "Disco Sucks", the first song D.O.A. released as a single. Finally, as if the stars were perfectly aligned for me that night, the show ended with my favourite D.O.A. song "Unknown".

My only complaint is that they always hit Montreal at the end of their tour, and as a result, the T-shirt selection is thin to non-existent. One of these years, I'll be the proud owner of a D.O.A. shirt -- mark my word.

Another year and another D.O.A. show, and as long as they keep on touring, I'll be there to see them.

And remember, "Talk - Action = Zero" (or was it "Talk - Action = A Good Dinner Party"? I forget).

[Tune in to Idle Minds Sundays from 4pm to 6pm.]