The story of D.O.A.’s Joe Keithley: From punk provocateur to city council

New Rose/SBC Films is bringing Something Better Change — a documentary on punk legend turned elected official Joe Keithley — to select theaters across the U.S. and Canada starting May 24.

Directed by Scott Crawford (Salad Days, CREEM: America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine), the film follows the D.O.A. frontman’s 40-year journey from stage to city hall — spotlighting his underdog 2018 victory in Burnaby, British Columbia, and his reelection campaign in 2022.

The Film

• Joe Keithley founded D.O.A. in 1978, fusing hardcore punk with direct-action politics
• Known for anthems like Fucked Up Ronnie and The Prisoner, D.O.A. were early pioneers of political punk
• After decades of activism, Keithley ran for office — and won
• With a $7K campaign budget and a DIY attitude, he unseated an entrenched 5-term mayor
• The doc captures his reelection campaign with behind-the-scenes access rarely granted to any candidate

Premieres

• Vancouver Premiere
  May 24 at RIO Theatre
• Montreal Premiere
  May 29 at BBAM! Gallery

Who’s in Something Better Change?

Alongside Keithley, the film features:

• Duff McKagan
• Ian MacKaye
• Henry Rollins
• Jello Biafra
• East Bay Ray
• Penelope Houston
• Keith Morris
• Beto O’Rourke

Behind the Camera

• Director/Writer/Producer: Scott Crawford
• Producer: Paul Rachman
• Editor: Maya Mualem
• Cinematographer: Jason Thompson