|
|
|
|
|
|
D.O.A.
"Kings of
Punk, Hockey and Beer" (Sudden Death; 2007)
Reviewed by Metal Mark
Canadian punk rock veterans DOA cut to the chase on their latest release, "Kings of Punk, Hockey and Beer."
This 13-track affair, featuring many previously released tracks by this staple act, ties together their loves via some clever liner notes into a cohesive raucous sing-a-long collection perfect to get incoherent by.
If you can’t tell a slap shot from a slap chop or prefer bubbly to brew, you’re best off skipping this one, but if you’re a diehard blue-seater or enjoy a pint or 10, there’s little here you can deny stomping your feet and getting your drink on to.
For more information, check out http://www.suddendeath.com/bands_DOA.html.
"Smash
The State: The Raw Original D.O.A. 1978-81" DVD (Sudden Death; 2007)
Reviewed by Metal Mark
This DVD includes parts of several shows from DOA, the energetic Canadian punk rock band, from between 1978 and 1981. It also includes some video shoots and interviews and the whole thing runs just under 70 minutes.
I always liked DOA for their abundant energy and straight-forward lyrics. Like many early punk rock bands, they often ran more on anger and steam than on talent. Still this approach worked for the band for several years and they were certainly an influence for a number of punk rock bands that would spring to life in 1980s.
The interviews and live performances seem to portray frontman Joey Shithead as being perhaps frustrated with the current world, but still very much in control of himself.
When the band plays live, they come across as being fairly tight compared to some of their peers at the time. I always felt that D.O.A. had a fairly good grip on their rock basics and this helped their music to be a bit more memorable. Overall this is a good snapshot of the early part of the band’s career. The sound and picture quality is average to decent, but it was shot almost thirty years ago.
I also enjoyed enjoyed seeing drummer Chuck Biscuits flailing at the drums in the manner that would help to become one of the better punk rock drummers of his time. The only disappointment here is that I was surprised there was no clip of “The Unknown,” as it easily my favorite DOA song.
For more information, check out http://www.suddendeath.com/bands_DOA.html.
"Win
the Battle" (Sudden Death; 2002)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
These veteran Canadian punk rockers still have the energy and the attitude to deliver the goods, as is proven in the consistently entertaining "Win the Battle."
With topical lyrics ranging from the WTO to warmongers to drug abuse to various locations in Canada to (of course) beer, "Win the Battle" rocks along with raw force from beginning to end, ladling on the rough-hewn punker attitude throughout. The band's sound is closer to the Ramones than, say, the Sex Pistols; there are actual melodies here and an occasional guitar lead, too. And you've never heard ZZ Top's "La Grange" covered like it's covered here. My favorite track on the CD is "Curbstomp the Devil," a driving tune that nears Motley Crue-style metal chunk and has hilarious lyrics.
Unlike most punk records, however, "Win the Battle" eventually wears out its welcome. With a running time of over 42 minutes (about fifteen minutes longer than most punk records) it's about two or three songs too many. Still, there's no denying that D.O.A. still have it - and not many legendary punk bands are still around - or in any condition - to make that claim.
D.O.A. is (and I quote): Joey Keithley - hearing loss guitar & chanteur; The Great Baldini - batterista & bellowing moans; Randy Rampage - bowel movement bass & roll n'roll screams.
For more information, check out http://www.suddendeath.com/bands_DOA.html.
"The Black
Spot" (Sudden Death; 1995 / 2007)
Reviewed by Metal Mark
By the late 1980s, D.O.A. were sounding a little tired and far lighter in tone than when they began over a decade earlier. By the 1990s, a lot of the punk bands of the 1980s had faded away or adjusted their approach. However, by the mid-1990s it was beginning to sound like D.O.A. was re-gaining their focus and getting angry enough to crank out an album that would get fans off their asses again.
I think "The Black Spot" sets out to do just this and, for the most, they succeeded in getting their fire back. It seems like they went back and found their punk roots and then added a whole load of heaviness and then just crammed it onto a disc.
The mid-1990s sure needed an album like this because I think music was getting a little lazy and many fans were losing a grip on what it meant for a band to just go at it full steam ahead. This isn’t the most original album, but it’s certainly one that doesn’t let go of you for the duration of the ride.
With "The Black Spot," D.O.A. certainly manages to re-capture a good portion of the spirit that they had perfected back around, say, 1978 - 1981.
For more information, check out http://www.suddendeath.com/bands_DOA.html.
"War
on 45" (Sudden Death; 1982)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
This 1982 collection from one of the most incendiary punk bands of all time, D.O.A., has been cleaned up, added to, and re-released in conjunction with the current worldwide wartime feel.
Powerfully political and bursting with punk rock's raging rawness, songs like "I Hate You" and "Smash the State" are as unrefreshingly relevant today, while tracks like "We Don't Need No God Damn War" resonates louder than ever.
Dropping knowledge in the most savage of ways, "War on 45" is a landmark punk album worth either the first look or the second listen (or more).
For more information, check out http://www.suddendeath.com/bands_DOA.html.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2010 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
