D.O.A. scored a first in 2008, being the first political punk band from Canada to tour China. Starting on April 30, the band may well score a second first by being the first political punk band from Canada to return there, as part of its ongoing farewell tour.

Reached by phone at the Sudden Death home offices, Joe Keithley told the Straight that the first time out, “not a lot of people knew D.O.A. songs. There wasn’t that level of recognition where people go ‘Oh yeah, I love this one!’ or something like that. So it was just like starting all over again. You had to knock people over with your power and playing and determination.”

This time around, Keithley continued, “we’re playing two festivals—one in Beijing, one in Chengdu. Chengdu is way in the interior, towards Tibet. And when you play a festival, you get a way wider audience and they’re there to see everything. You might get a few dedicated followers, but it’ll be the same thing—we’ll have to win people over.”

D.O.A. will be bringing its new drummer, Paddy Duddy of BC/DC—the band’s 11th permanent D.O.A. drummer by Keithley’s count, not including people who only filled in for a few shows or sessions.

“I don’t know what the problem is,” he sighed.