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.

Director Scott Crawford will also be attending the event. He will be doing a Q&A and there will be merchandise for sale!

Praise for Something Better Change:

“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

“A film that explores Keithley’s unwavering quest for the truth in himself, his music, and his community.” -CREEM

“Scott Crawford’s Something Better Change is a wonderfully persuasive documentary about a remarkable man. As both a punk rocker and a politician, Joe Keithly has been a massive inspiration — and, here, he also comes across as an utter mensch. The film shows how it’s never too late to try to change the world, or at least your little part of it — a message that couldn’t be more urgent and timely.”

—Doug Brod, former editor-in-chief of SPIN and author of They Just Seem a Little Weird and Born with a Tail