Keithley hits Hall of Fame

The Lively City column by Dan Hilborn
Published Feb. 18, 2004


We always knew he was a pioneer, and now it's official.

Burnaby's best-known punk rocker, Joe Keithley, leader of Canadian music legends DOA, will be the first person ever inducted into the Canadian Independent Music Hall of Fame in Toronto on March 3.

Keithley, best known by his stage name of Joey Shithead, has been one of the busiest rock stars in the world for the past 25 years - a history he recounts in his entertaining new book I Shithead: A Life in Punk, published by Arsenal Pulp Press.

"When you work hard at something, it's great to be recognized," Keithley said in the press release announcing his award. "It's really cool that people realize that we were always trying to effect positive change in this world with our music and lyrics.

"It started out trying to change the world to a better place and my passion for that is still very much alive," he said. "Together we can move mountains. My friends, mountains will move."

The honour will be bestowed during the Canadian Independent Music Award ceremony, which is taking place during Canadian Music Week.

Keithley will also co-host The Indies, along with Bif Naked, another well-known punk rocker from the Lower Mainland.

JUNOS FOR BUBLE?

In other musical news, Burnaby's favourite crooner Michael Buble has been nominated for two Juno Awards by the Canadian Academy of recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).

Buble, whose self-titled first album on the Reprise Records label has already sold more than half a million copies and earned him international recognition and throngs of adoring fans around the world, is nominated for both album of the year and best new artist of the year.

And he's in some darn fine company. Also in the running for album of the year are Canadian music legends Celine Dion, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan, Nickelback and Sam Roberts.

Of course, all this fame and fortune does take its toll. Buble recently admitted that he is not happy that some of his earlier recordings were released against his wishes.

"Totally Buble is not an album that I wanted to be released," Michael says of a CD the Burnaby NOW promoted in this space just before Christmas. "They were songs I recorded for a film called Totally Blonde many years ago before I was signed to 143/Reprise Records. The decision to release it as an album was made by the film's producer, and I had no control over stopping him.

"It is important for everyone to know, that I only want to release quality music to my fans by offering my best work and I sincerely apologize if you purchased this album," he said.

And may we add our own apology to the artist.

BRAVE WAVES IS HOME

Burnaby's most eclectic musical troupe, Brave Waves, who recently performed at the Beijing Multicultural Festival in China, is coming home to play later this month.

The band led by city native Joe McDonald recently released a new CD, Havens of the Light, features music on the guitar, electric sitar, keyboards, bagpipes, harmonica, tabla drums, bass and vocals.

"It's world music, which is a style that encompasses just about anything," McDonald said this week. "What really makes it world music is the drumming from India. The rhythms are just wonderful. That's what spices it up for me."

Last month, the band was the headline performer at the Gung Haggis Fat Choi celebrations which attracted 800 people to the Flamingo restaurant, in an event that combined the best of Chinese New Year and Robbie Burns Day.

Brave Waves will perform at the Myles of Beans coffee house, 7010 Kingsway, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28.