Positively Doa [33rd Anniversary Reissue]

Personnel: Joey Shithead (vocals, guitar); Dave Gregg (guitar); Chuck Biscuits (drums).
Photographers: Carole Segal; Bev Davies.
Easily the best known and most influential band on the Canadian hardcore punk scene, D.O.A. were near the peak of their abilities when they released this five-song EP. A tight, powerful band that was equally comfortable with rabble-rousing political anthems and goofy party tunes, D.O.A. offered up a bit of both in these five songs, confronting the issues 1980-style on "Fucked Up Ronnie" and "World War Three," urging fans to know which side they're on with "The Enemy," and playing for obnoxious laughs on "My Old Man's a Bum" and "New Wave Sucks" (the latter a rewrite of their earlier "Disco Sucks"). With Joey Shithead on guitar and vocals, Dave Gregg on guitar, Randy Rampage on bass, and Chuck Biscuits on drums, this EP documented one of D.O.A.'s strongest lineups, and this music still sounds raw, raucous, and full of righteous spirit. A fine musical backdrop for drinking beer, breaking things, and taking on city hall, Positively D.O.A. is the sound of hardcore before it was strangled by its own template, and this little slab of vinyl still signifies in the 21st century. [These five tracks from Positively D.O.A. also appear on the compilation Punk Rock Singles 1978-99.] ~ Mark Deming