A legendary Canadian punk rock band from Vancouver, often referred to as one of the founders of hardcore punk, is set to ignite the stage in Princeton later this month.

Presented by the Vermillion Artist Collective, D.O.A. will bring their raw energy and rebellious anthems to the Princeton Legion Branch 56 on April 18 as part of their 2025 world tour. 

D.O.A. was formed in Vancouver in 1978 by frontman Joey Keithley, the only founding member to have stayed in the band throughout its entire history, and has been a cornerstone of the punk rock scene for almost five decades. The current lineup consists of Keithley on vocals and guitar, Mike Hodsall on bass and Paddy Duddy on drums.

D.O.A. has become known for its outspoken lyrics about politics and injustice and has a history of performing for many causes and benefits, something that helped push Keithley into politics himself, outside of making music.

Keithley was elected a city councillor in Burnaby in the 2018 municipal elections as a member of the Burnaby Green Party and was re-elected in 2022.  

"Being in D.O.A. is like being on this really crazy fun soapbox talking about whatever you want," he said. "We have been doing that, in a sense, you could call it being a cultural politician and trying to affect change through our music."

Keithley added that he and D.O.A. have been promoting grassroots democracy through their hardcore and unrelenting music. Their unapologetic activism has helped keep their sound as relevant today as it was in the 1970s.

Limited V.I.P. preshow tickets are available for $40, which includes a meet-and-greet with D.O.A. along with a signed vinyl record and a poster of Hardcore '81, their second album which has been considered by some to be the first time that punk rock was labelled as 'hardcore.'

Advanced tickets are available at Cool Beanz, Sacred Skin Tattoo, and Lizzie's Deli Market for $25 and tickets at the door will be available for $30 as well. There will also be pre-show drinks and snacks.