D.O.A. Embassy Tavern

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More D.O.A. pictures from long ago. These are from BW negatives I've recently found and scanned (March 2021). They were in a folder dated 1983 but  research with fellow fans on Facebook tells me the event was Monday, October 18, 1982 (see D.O.A. tour dates). 

The show was at the Embassy Tavern and would have been the first time Kate and I ever saw them. There's a post by the stage that makes me think it was the Embassy and comments by friends on the Facebook group 1980's Punk Rockers in London, Ontario confirm that. We saw D.O.A. several times over the years; however, this lineup is how I've always identified as "the band" even though there's been a changing cast of characters over the years. I recognize Joe Keithley (of course), Dave Gregg (second guitar), Wimpy Roy (bass) and Dimwit on the drums. 

Some searching on Google tells me they were fronted by Youth, Youth and The Napalm Babies but I can't confirm that. I do recall the seeing the Napalm Babies a few times.

They played loud fast and furious. Joey glistens with sweat in the photos and there's a picture where he clears his nose onto the stage. They were more than a little intimidating and seemed to be giants among men. If you remember the gig, tell us more.

On Facebook Marty Spacil recalls "It would have been Oct 18, 1982. I went to Toronto to set it up on Friday and the promoter wanted $10 for the cover; I talked to the band and we said $4 for a Monday so people would come. I just had Saturday and Sunday to put up flyers around town and still it wasn't super packed." 

Chris Richards confirms the date: "Yes, this is the one Oct. 18/'82. I can tell by the clothes they're wearing because I took a few photos the same night." Many thanks to both for sharing their memories.

Daniel Rudbal tells us that between 1985-2016 that he, with October Crisis and/or the Black Donnellys, fronted for D.O.A several times in London.

Kate and I were married in 1980. On a honeymoon visit to Vancouver I picked up "Something Better Change" which was one of D.O.A.'s very first albums. I don't know if I had heard the band before buying the album. Back in the day you'd often buy music on spec — "Hmm, this looks interesting". And it was interesting! The cover, especially the back cover, appealed to me. Songs like "New Age", "The Prisoner" and "World War 3" still ring out. 

The photos in this album are from my BW negatives found during the COVID-19 Pandemic in March of 2021. These have never been printed, scanned or shared before. They're contrasty, grainy and far from perfect but the memories are still vivid.