The punk band D.O.A., established in 1978, is considered one of the founders of hardcore punk, alongside such other seminal groups as Black Flag and Minor Threat. Their raw, melodic sound, which drew comparisons to the Clash and the Ramones, has always been matched by the band’s acute political sensibility; known for its uncompromising and outspoken anarchist viewpoints, D.O.A. has been active on behalf of many issues, including anti-racism, anti-globalization, freedom of speech, women’s rights, and the environment. Its slogan, “Talk – Action = 0,” refers to the importance of artists and others who need to “walk the walk” when it comes to their politics. After more than thirty years, D.O.A. remains as active as ever, touring internationally (including a trip to China, the first punk band to do so) and recording regularly (their thirteenth studio album was released in 2010); their fan base now spans three generations. This large-format book is a sprawling visual history of the group by lead singer/guitarist Keithley—made up of vintage photographs, posters, handwritten lyrics, and other various ephemera—that offers a visceral glimpse into the hardcore life of one of the hardest-working punk bands in the business. Joe Keithley is the founder of D.O.A. His autobiography, I, Shithead: A Life in Punk, was published by Arsenal in 2003; now in its third printing, it has been translated into French, German, and Italian.
What People Are Saying
“They rock out. They blow the roof off. Some of the best shows I've ever seen in my life were D.O.A. gigs. I’ve never seen them not be amazing. ” — Henry Rollins (Black Flag) “The proper medicine growing young minds need. ” — Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys) “Joey Shithead casts a long shadow. ” — John Doe (X) “They’ve changed a lot of people’s lives. ” — David Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) “D.O.A. inspired me and many others with their integrity and musical precision for many years to follow. A true legendary punk band. And pretty good hockey players too … for Canadians. ” — Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks) “D.O.A. is a powerful rock band with great punk attitude. JK has always been outspoken and stands up loud and proud for many just causes. Long live DOA! ” — Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive, The Guess Who) One of the highlight’s of Talk-Action=0 is the subjective view of changing histories in both political and musical landscapes. Keithley’s viewpoint is only one but it comes from a person who has traveled the world and remained engaged in significant changes within it. Talk-Action=0: An Illustrated History of D.O.A. is not only relevant for punk fans but for anyone interested in what it’s like to see the world from a tour bus. —Abort Magazine A document that is both an eye-popping tome and a chronological account of the rise and fall (and rise again) of one of punk music’s most important acts, from the beginnings of the hardcore movement to becoming the first “political” band to tour China. Named after the band’s iconic motto, Talk—Action = 0 is a book that can be flipped through for its stunning visual value alone or can be pored over thanks to Keithley’s narration throughout. —Vancouver Sun A treasure trove of material for anyone who has ever considered themselves a D.O.A. fan … Starting from the early days, Talk – Action = 0 chronicles the long and storied history of one of [Canada]’s most important bands ever. —Georgia Straight A fascinating account of D.O.A.’s gritty, unapologetic punk rock history, from their inception in 1978 up to the present. The book is packed with old show flyers, set lists, photos and lyrics scratched down on scraps of paper that supplement a chronology of the band’s progression. —Discorder There’s just SO MUCH stuff crammed in here that even if Keithley had never written a single word, it’s still a must own for the band’s fan base. The fact that the ‘narration’ is as amusing, entertaining and frequently very interesting as it is, well, the icing on the cake. It’s also just plain awesome to look at too. —Rock! Shock! Pop! (rockshockpop.com) Talk—Action = 0 offers a fresh reminder of the band's relentless work ethic and their propensity for relevant protest, be it against poverty, racism, logging, you name it. D.O.A.'s catalogue could be considered an activist soundtrack. The book also highlights many of the most notorious and satisfying accomplishments of a vaunted punk rock c.v. —Chart Attack Keithley's terse, almost punk-like (and occasionally grammar-spliced) prose — so well-suited to those travails unique to outlier rock and roll — is accompanied by reams of visual ephemera, from photos and record images to posters, ticket stubs and assorted curios … With Keithley, talk + action = a damn fine read. —Canuckistan Music I was stunned by the amount of fun I had pouring over the pages packed with over three decades of life with D.O.A and Joe. —Culture Brats You have to love a punk rock book full of pictures. While words work well to tell a band's story, illustrations of DIY concert posters, scribbled set lists, and candid photos from the van capture and frame the zeitgeist that was partially defined by those images. That's why this history of the Canadian hard-core punk band D.O.A. feels so right. It reads like D.O.A. founder Keithley crammed his band's essence into a few hundred pages collaged with posters, photos, artwork, and, of course, his 'I was there' perspective on the group that's often credited with providing the DNA of hard-core punk rock … This history's scrapbook approach is like D.O.A.'s music—vital and virile. —Library Journal This is not only a follow-up to Joe Keithley’s excellent life on the road with a punk band memoir, I, Shithead: A Life in Punk (as essential as Henry Rollins' Get in the Van), it’s also a companion … by Great Zombie Jesus, the illustrations in this new book are astounding. It is full of the minutiae of a band’s career, such as flyers, ticket stubs, photos (candid, on stage and posed), lyrics, song lists, posters, artwork, and their records covers (single picture sleeves, albums, CDs, and compilations, usually both front and back). —FFanzeen blog The 300-page, full colour compendium is an almost priceless piece of musical history — a history that began with punk’s beginnings and grew with it and helped shape it over the course of three and a half decades and across the globe, crossing paths with such legendary artists as the early torchbearers the Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, X, The Circle Jerks and The Ramones, and latter day champions such as Nirvana. It’s also the perfect companion to Keithley’s 2004 autobiography I, Shithead: A Life In Punk, a project which got him thinking about how he could further tell his, D.O.A.’s and the music’s story. —Calgary Herald It’s like walking into a punk rock museum and Joey “Shithead” Keithley is the curator, feeding you endless information and anecdotes for the DOA exhibit. —Spill Magazine Slam that beer down and let Joe Keithley drag your ass through the grimy back alleys and dive bars of Canada's punk rock heritage. This unprecedented illustrated history of Vancouver hardcore legends D.O.A. chokes you out with a barrage of vintage posters, handwritten riders, rare photos, and unfathomable stories from over 30 years of tours, riots, and unbridled punk-rock debauchery. —Color Magazine A must-have for every fan. -Trust Magazine (Germany)