Approximately 100 punks were on hand at Pulse, Sept. 15 to take in two Canadian punk rock legends— D.O.A. and the Dayglo Abortions plus special guests the Scallywags. While impressive to get that many people out mid-week, it was also about 90 more punks than usual at local punk shows even on weekends.
Ether way The Dayglo Abortions and D.O.A showed how it was done. The midweek show started right on time and was done before midnight allowing the people to get home in good time to kids and work.
After a solid set of upbeat oi punk and street punk from the Scallywags, Victoria’s Dayglo Abortions crashed into two quick tracks “ Your Facebook Can Kiss My Assbook and “Sick of The Lies, from their latest CD “ Armageddon Survival Guide” while barely pausing for a breath.
They blended a brutal mixture of metal style musicianship and punk rock fury. I couldn’t hear what songs they were playing, with a wall of distortion that could level small buildings, bouncing off the echoey ceiling, and definitely couldn’t understand what frontman Murray “the Cretin” Acton was telling the enthusiastic audience though he promised to play “some old shit too.”
“Proud to be Canadian” was an easily identifiable older song. I believe “I Killed Mommy” was part of the set too.
Drummer Blind Marc crouched over D.O.A.’s drum kit and brutalized the thing for a fast paced set powered by his deadly backbeat, a massive wall of guitar and even a couple harmonized guitar solos which teetered on the edge of punk, metal and all out insanity. Acton shook out his hand after every song, but effortlessly traded guitar solos and lightning quick riffs with Mike Jak. Bassist Willy Jak shouted out vocals as well.
They were called back for an encore, but they made way for D.O.A.
They began with a few of their older classics including “The Enemy,” and “Class War,” which were punctuated by giant leaps from bassist Mike Hodsall.
Frontman Joe Keithley windmilled his arm like Pete Townshend and played a solo with his teeth for “World War 3.”
D.O.A also blended their more political, more anti-war themed older songs with newer material including a few bars of “Bombs Away” and their great cover of “War (What Is It Good For). Drummer Paddy Duddy, who mentioned he attended St. Mary’s Catholic school, was thunderous, shaking the walls of Pulse.
One of my favourites “2+2”, about thinking for yourself,” carried on in the Who style rock and roll vein.
A couple of new songs “Not Going to Take Your Crap No More” and their cover of Johnny Cash’s “San Quentin,” were awesome.
They followed it up with “D.O.A.” and wound down their set with the new single “Fucked Up Donald” and one of their signature songs “Fuck You” but were called back for a quick encore.
Their roadie/ merch guy joined them on stage a couple times to shout background vocals on “ Police Brutality” and “Disco Sucks” which brought the show to a close.