Angela Piccard
[Live Music]

D.O.A.

June 19th, 2011 at The Shakedown Bar

show review by Anjela Piccard

“D.O.A has agreed to give us an interview,” buzzed the text message on my less than reliable and often dropped BlackBerry.

The only response I could muster was “YES!” What followed were rambles of “where the hell is that record?” Realizing why divorce is bad for a punk rock dame, knowing the only answer is “my first husband took the vinyl collection.” Never mind the fact I had a mere thirty minutes to transform from a scumbag artist to a real live boiling vat of she acid interviewer.

Joey Shithead being interviewed by Anjela.

From there it was the longest ten-minute car ride I had encountered since being swiftly cuffed and carried into the back of a San Diego’s finest last fall.

Arriving to The Shakedown Bar was like riding my vintage Schwinn Hollywood in short shorts, it just felt right as rain. For being the only punk venue you can actually park your chopper in front of, one would have to agree this may be the closest thing to the notorious Fenders this county may ever know. As I wiggled my way through the front door at four o’clock in the afternoon, managing to shimmy onto a barstool for my standard “make everyone handsome” gin greyhound, I felt genuinely tickled. You see punk rock has a history, not unlike sultry jazz. The similarity of the two is much like that of its audience, they understand angst and pangs. For the American punk movement, D.O.A was and remains one of the most prolific bands to introduce Hardcore. Considering the band hails from Vancouver Canada, one would have to respect the level of influence these pioneers contributed to their craft.

It was a fair amount of time, a bowl of pretzel sticks and another cocktail before I caught a glimpse of the legend himself. Within moments I was out the backdoor testing the mic for the video segment of the interview, all the while making the attempt to not completely blank out. When you are standing before someone who influenced not only your musical taste but stance on lifestyle and politics, you tend to quietly tremble.

“Joey Shithead, the pleasure is all mine darling”, made its way from my lips. Thirty years and numerous bankrupt record labels later, this band and its antiracism message carry on. You know you are a true legend when your country deems December 21 each year D.O.A. day while you are still alive. On father’s day, this father of sum three children and a loyal wife is back on the road touring the states and seems to be in talks of touring Europe next year. Released and available as of June 1st is his new book “Talk-Action=0”, an illustrated history of D.O.A. There is no definitive answer if he will be recording with Jello Biafra anytime soon, but this old DK connoisseur is hopeful. If you are not familiar with D.O.A., my firm handed suggestion would be to start with HardCore 81’.

Joey Shithead playing at The Shakedown.

With a wrap up and a few photos for posterity, I was back inside for what we were all there for, a PUNK show. Seated lady proper at the front of the stage, this was pure energy in a hot tight space. As the drums lit up, so stirred the heads and elbows out which define the frolic of the pit. Before I knew it, we were down to the last song. Quickly I pulled out my cherished MAC ruby woo lipstick and scribbled my song request feverishly. In a kung fu a-go-go blink of an eye, I lifted the mic stand and stuffed the paper beneath. To the roar of the crowd, my brazen suggestion of “Fucked Up Baby” was honored. For this punk to the core dame, life comes full circle. On occasion this circle finds you between a pair of filmmaking twins and a D.O.A. record.
Wonder who is next darling?

Photos by Katherine Sweetman

The Shakedown Bar : 3048 Midway Drive : San Diego, California 92110
For more information on D.O.A. go to suddendeathrecords.com

Anjela gets into the night's crowd.

2 thoughts on “show review: D.O.A. at The Shakedown

  1. It’s too bad Ms. Piccard spent so much time in this review talking about D.O.A’s show; I was really hoping she’d talk more about herself.

  2. Is there a story about a seminal punk band in here somewhere? I couldn’t find it for all the navel-gazing and self-portraiture.

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