Something Better Change: A Film about D.O.A’S Joe Keithly by Scott Crawford

Something Better Change, the latest documentary from acclaimed director Scott
Crawford (Salad Days, CREEM: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine), is a raw,
electrifying journey through the rise of Vancouver’s early punk scene.
Centered around the legendary band D.O.A. and frontman Joey “Shithead”
Keithley, the film explores how a DIY subculture ignited a political and cultural
revolution in late 1970s Canada.
In 1996 and 2001, Joe ran for the British Columbia Green Party in provincial
elections. In 2018, he was elected to Burnaby City Council as a member of the
Burnaby Green Party.
The filmmakers followed Joe Keithley during his 2022 reelection campaign to
document the amount of work and commitment that goes into running for public
office. They were allowed unprecedented access to Keithley’s entire campaign
throughout its often chaotic and nail-biting conclusion. Ultimately, this is a
documentary film that proves that music, political steadfastness and social
advocacy can work together to effect real change just about everywhere–including
city hall.
With rare footage, intimate interviews, and an urgent soundtrack, Crawford
captures a time when punk wasn’t just music—it was a movement demanding
change.
STARRING: Duff McKagan, Ian MacKaye, Henry Rollins, East Bay Ray (Dead
Kennedys), Penelope Houston (Avengers), Keith Morris, Beto O’Rourke, Jello
Biafra and more.

“Keithley gave the crew full access to himself, his family and his archives, and it
makes for an inspiring story of trying to make the system work for the people and
not the donors.” -Orlando Weekly