This week we also acknowledge the passing of Juno-nominated country artist Lee Marlow, Kobo Town guitarist Patrick Giunta and Nitzer Ebb frontman Douglas McCarthy.
He was not on the list.
Steven Leckie, leader of the legendary Toronto punk band The Viletones, died on June 12, at age 67, after a long battle with cancer. He had faced many health challenges in recent years, including multiple sclerosis.
News of his death fuelled an eruption of tributes on social media, and comments confirmed Leckie's status as a genuine pioneer of Canadian punk rock, one whose reputation and work also had an impact and influence internationally.
Leckie founded the Viletones in 1976, alongside Freddie Pompeii on guitar/vocals, Chris Hate (Chris Paputts), on bass guitar/vocals and Mike Anderson (aka Motor X), on drums/vocals. The original line-up was active in 1976 and 1977, and thereafter featured Leckie as the only original member, with various backing musicians. Later Viletones lineups comprised leading Toronto players of the day, including bassist Screamin' Sam Ferrara, drummers Tony Vincent and Jeff Zurba, and guitarists Steve Koch, Steven Stergiu, Conrad Wiggins, Ian Blurton, Scott McCullough, Myke Adaptiv and Steve Scarlet.
In 1977, the Viletones released their first single, "Screamin Fist" b/w "Possibilities" and "Rebel," on their own label Vile Records. In 1978, they released the EP Look Back In Anger, which featured the songs "Don't You Lie" and "Dirty Feeling" b/w "Back Door To Hell," "Swastika Girl" and "Danger Boy." The same year Pompeii, Hate and X left The Viletones to form The Secrets.
That year, the new lineup of the Viletones appeared at the legendary concert and documentary The Last Pogo, filmed at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, May 1, 1978. In 1983, the Viletones released their first full-length album, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, recorded live at Larry's Hideaway in Toronto. In 1994, the record label Other Peoples Music released a retrospective collection, A Taste Of Honey.
After a reunion, a new lineup of the Viletones recorded and released the 1998 album What It Feels Like To Kill, featuring live material and three new tracks written by Leckie and Stergiu, their first new material since the early 1980s. In 2023 Californian label Artifix Records released a collectors edition vinyl retrospective, Fleurs du Mal.
Leckie's discography with the Viletones may not have been extensive, but those early cuts are now recognized as genuine punk rock classics. Nirvana once jammed a segment of "Possibilities" in a live show. A reference to another classic, "Screamin’ Fist," is found in the pages of Neuromancer, a best-selling novel by William Gibson.
Perhaps even more than this material, the Viletones reputation was based upon their infamous live shows. Steven Leckie is rightfully viewed as one of the most charismatic performers in punk rock, and his onstage antics certainly generated publicity. He routinely cut himself onstage, with a broken bottle or razor blade, and fights with audience members were not rare. Couple that with his adopted stage name of Nazi Dog (one he reportedly later regretted), and Leckie made great tabloid fodder.
After quickly making a splash on the Toronto club scene, Leckie and the Viletones made their initial foray to New York City in 1977, right in the midst of the punk rock conflagration there. In a post on the Queen Street West Music Scene, 1975-1989 Facebook page, filmmaker Peter Vronsky set the scene this way: "I shot my CBC documentary Crash'n'Burn with Steve and the Viletones in the New Yorker and the Crash'n'Burn in Toronto and at CBGBs on the Bowery in New York City on his first tour in July 1977 in the Summer of Sam.
"When Steve got up on stage at [punk mecca] CBGBs that hot summer night on July 7, (7-7-77) and he cut his arms open with shards of beer glass picked off the floor, he blew away all the New York poser punk rockers. They had never seen anything like that! He was what they were pretending to be. Steve and I laughed about that night often in the years to come."
Included on that visit were two other leading Canadian punk bands, The Diodes and Teenage Head, but it was the Viletones who grabbed the attention of legendary rock critic Lester Bangs. In a 1981 feature for the Village Voice, Bangs recalled that "This guy Nazi Dog hung from the rafters, crawled all over the stage, and hurled himself on the first row until his body was one huge sore." That concert was even spoofed in an early episode of the cult hit television comedy show SCTV.
Dull moments were absent from Viletones gigs, and Leckie's showmanship and ability to grab attention definitely influenced other bands on the scene. Hamilton punk rocker Chris Houston played in Forgotten Rebels then, and, to Billboard Canada, he recalls one infamous gig featuring both bands. "In 1980 the Forgotten Rebels played with the Viletones [and other bands including DOA and Stark Naked and the Fleshtones] at Toronto City Hall for an event called Rock Against Radiation.. Backstage Steve Leckie said he was going to steal the show by going pro nuclear."
"Since the Rebels were on before the Viletones, [lead singer] Mickey DeSadist did everything Leckie said he was going to do and more. The New Music shot the magic moment when we introduced winos as our parents. Thanks to Steve Leckie's ideas, the Rebels got to get the outrage press that day!"
Houston adds that "the Viletones were simultaneously the worse and best band in the world! This was the purest form of nihilism that could be conjured up on the Yonge Street fun street strip of the 1970s. Astonishing charisma while refereeing destruction."
Between sporadic reunions of the Viletones, in the '90s Leckie ran a storefront art gallery/clothing store in Toronto called Fleurs Du Mal, named after a book of poems by Charles Baudelaire, a Leckie favourite. Fleurs Du Mal helped boost the careers of emerging local artists like John Nobrega and its patrons included Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren.
Over his long career, Leckie did occasionally wander beyond the confines of punk rock. There was a convincing detour into rockabilly, and a 2009 performance at The Cameron House in Toronto that featured a cabaret style take of Velvet Underground classic "Venus In Furs."
In 2008, legendary Band keyboardist Garth Hudson produced and performed on a riproaring version of a Bob Dylan tune, "Million Dollar Bash," one featuring Leckie on vocals. Leckie recently told Billboard Canada that "To think that Garth wanted me and knew who I was, that sure said a lot about the man. He wasn’t stuck working only with Blue Rodeo types."
A Dec. 2013 Viletones show at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto was billed as the band's final concert, but Leckie resurrected the band for two more shows. One was in Toronto on August 15, 2015, filmed in 3D by Reg Hartt for Cineforum, and the swansong came in 2016 at This Ain't Hollywood in Hamilton.
For a fuller picture of the man and the myth, here are tributes to Steven Leckie collected from social media or provided to Billboard Canada.
Veteran Toronto concert promoter Gary Topp had a major impact on Leckie's life and career, right from Leckie's teenage years and before Topp booked numerous Viletones shows. On Facebook, he offered this tribute: "'No more Beatles, no more Stones, we just want the Viletones!' Steve and I go back since the early days of The Original 99-cent Roxy [an influential Toronto cinema Topp ran].
"He came regularly as an avid film buff. He wasn't very old and it was years before he, his band and punk rock ignited Toronto and Canada. He was a performance artist and media machine by trade, on stage and off, and no dummy. He made friends as easily as he made enemies, our relationship was no different.
"We held a mutual admiration for each other and that lasted on and off forever. I had a 2-hour breakfast with him a few months ago and he was strong, talkative and hungry. I was optimistic.
"In 2012, I was promoting [legendary French singer] Jane Birkin. Steve wanted to present her with a bouquet of flowers. At the right moment before the first encore, I signalled to Steve to deliver the the flowers on stage. He nervously and affectionately struggled / hobbled up the centre aisle and presented his gift to the stage. I'd never seen him so happy.
"He passed away on Thursday. Rest In peace, your pain is over. I'll miss our friendship, we were both on the same track. We were like family."
To Billboard Canada, Topp recalled that one film the teenaged Leckie loved was the French classic, Children of Paradise. He also noted that a show he promoted by British rockabilly star Crazy Cavan 'n' the Rhythm Rockers had a big influence, sparking Leckie's detour into rockabilly for a spell.
Veteran Toronto musician and singer-songwriter John Borra gave Billboard Canada this tribute: "It was an honour to play with Steven in an early 2000s version of the Viletones alongside Cleave Anderson (Battered Wives) and Kurt Schefter (Raving Mojos). Steven was well known for being difficult to work with but I found him and the whole experience to be most enjoyable and a whole lot of fun.
"Being a Toronto native I considered it a career high to play those songs behind the guy who had a hand in writing them. The Viletones were true pioneers and their contribution to music and culture can't be understated. They and the other first wave bands paved the way for people like me - who came along a few years later - and made a life in music possible - something that was unimaginable for me prior to the advent of punk rock."
Steve Koch, another Toronto guitarist who played with Leckie in the Viletones, told Billboard that "The only real job Steve Leckie ever had was Rock Star which is a lonely and exhausting occupation not much appreciated in well mannered and deferential Canadian culture. Bridge burner, red line crosser, always ready for his close-up, always ready with a provocative quote, he gave us the devil of Screaming Fist and the angel of Possibilities and on those foundations a new and exciting music culture grew up."
Toronto musician (Shadowy Men), photographer and author Don Pyle paid his respects on Facebook: "It’s impossible to underestimate the significance of the Viletones at the time of their birth. Ferocious, sometimes violent, often sweet, theatrical and shockingly new; mythological in their singer's self-destructive path of unfulfilled ambitions.
"They were the most dramatic and exciting of the first Toronto bands and I loved them so much, seeing them 70+ times in their original incarnation. They were a perfect band for the burgeoning teenage angst of a 16-18 year old, a great reason to go out on a Monday when you had school the next day. Their first single is the most perfect record from the beginning of punk in Canada, the pinnacle from which there were few directions to go but down. I always had deep respect for his being focused on being who N@z! Dog/Steven Leckie was until the end. My gratitude is immense for how he shook things up in sleepy 1977 Toronto. RIP to the legend."
Original Viletones guitarist Chris Hate (Paputts) tells Billboard Canada that "Steven was a unique personality whose bizarre stage antics left a lasting impression. His inspiration helped kickstart many local bands highlighting Toronto's distinctive style. "
Veteran Hamilton concert promoter Lou Molinaro offered this reminiscence on Facebook: "Over a decade ago, I was a student of Lori Yates' songwriting class. One of my fellow classmates with Steve's sister Suzi. On a cold February night, Suzi brought Steve in for the visit. Lori and I were pleasantly surprised to see him. While we were taking our class, Steve walked around Lori's neighbourhood and came back with such an appreciation of Hamilton's architecture. He commented on how the bricks were a 'rich red.' We later told him about Hamilton Brick Co.
"As Suzi and Steve were about to leave, Mr Leckie pulled out a Viletones T-shirt for both Lori and I. That moment was beautiful because I saw Lori's 'fangirl' side come out. Once they left, Lori looked at me and said.."LOU! How fucking cool was that?'
"I had the opportunity to work with Steve several times over the years. November 2016, the Viletones played my club, This Ain't Hollywood. Gord Lewis [Teenage Head] was next to me during that Viletones show @ TAH. Gordie also told me how inspired he was from Steve Leckie's handbills that he made. He said that they really captured the essence of the Punk Scene. My heartfelt condolences to Steve's family and friends. 'Never Feel Sad.' RIP Steve Leckie."
Punk rock guitar star Scott McCullough (Rusty, The Doughboys) worked in a later incarnation of the Viletones. He tells Billboard Canada that "I spent quite a bit of time with Steven during the run up to that 'reunion' show in 2013. His rehearsal/work ethic was second to none. Just before COVID hit and I was living in Bayfield, he got ahold of me about doing some dates in Europe but nothing came of it. More recently, he had talked to me about getting together to do some new original music ('before he died' is how he put it) as he realized it might be his last chance to do so. Nothing came of it unfortunately."
Part of a later Viletones lineup, bassist Sam Ferrara (aka Screamin' Sam) told Billboard "I'm glad that we met and played together for many years and we wrote many cool songs that are still cool today. I'm sorry that he's gone. He will never be forgotten. R.I.P."
In an official Leckie obituary, Artifix Records’ Greg Artifix said, “Steven Leckie was one of the sonic gods of punk. He snarled venom on stage and took chances on pushing his creative endeavours, all the while taking inspiration from past greats like Rimbaud and transposing transgressive and surreal themes into his daily life and musical output. Steven was a badass motherf--ker who did not compromise...anything. He lived fearlessly and we are a sorrier world without him. Damn.”
The Diodes were close contemporaries of the Viletones on the original Toronto punk scene. Guitarist John Catto posted this affectionate homage on Facebook: "I REALLY dislike this piece of news, RIP Steven Leckie. Steve was there from the very beginning. In late ‘76 when we were rehearsing in the annex at OCA [Ontario College of Art] Steve and the ‘Tones started turning up at unrelated shows there wearing 'the jackets' and picking fights with Mike Ironside (now there’s a story)
"When we played our third show at the Masonic Temple it was the second night of the debut of the Viletones at the Colonial, so I guess I missed that one. I was there for the first night and inspired by the fun ambience of the evening. Threw a beer bottle at the stage to which Steven (then N’Dog) responded 'REALLY John?' and we were off ha ha. And like all those first 20 people before all this he was at all those glam rock shows, shopping at Long Johns and was a card carrying member of THAT subculture as well. So after nearly 50 years of banter I’m very sad to say this, Steven, you always rocked. Xx"
Miriam Linna, the Canadian owner of famed U.S. indie label Norton Records, posted her tribute on Facebook: "Steven Leckie has left the building. 49 years ago we were hanging outside of CBGB after the Cramps hosted the Canadian bands weekend with the Viletones, Teenage Head and the Diodes. In recent years we reconnected with scattered memories about those days. He was a smart, thoughtful person, whose stage persona defied his kind spirit."
Al Nolan, leader of Toronto punk group the Almighty Trigger Happy, posted this on Facebook: "I'm very grateful I became friends with Steven. Very helpful around my father's passing. Very enthusiastic & encouraging when I started the label. I was happy to spend the time I had with you....I'll miss you when I think of Toronto. Rest Easy Godfather...Steven Leckie forever/Viletones forever/Queen Street."
Veteran Toronto punk rocker David Quinton (The Dead Boys, The Mods) on Facebook: "Steven Leckie, RIP. You did it. You stirred it up. You blew it apart. We were entertained, infuriated, confused, amused, provoked, intimated, challenged, impacted...and sometimes frightened. Wasn't that the idea…? You did it. Nothing else matters."
A former Viletone, Myke Adaptiv, on Facebook: "No matter what anybody THINKS of Steven, he always remained true to his mission. A badass until the end."
Greg Godovitz (Goddo) on Facebook: "I always liked the Dog! He had passion and he was fearless. A great combination!"
Toronto musician/radio host Danny Marks on Facebook: "Rest In Power. Steven Leckie was the first one I ever heard use that variation of R.I.P. and so it's fitting to be said of him. He was a complex person who did things his own way. I can't claim that we were best friends but we were well acquainted and he was always respectful and kind. This is the time for our contemporaries to make a final bow and we can wish they die with dignity. Rest in Power Steve, you earned it."
Indie record label veteran, musician and author Jaimie Vernon recounted his dealings with Leckie in a Facebook post. Vernon's attempts to license Viletones material for a release on his Bullseye label didn't work out, but Vernon explains that "the advance money became an un-recoupable gift to a guy that I felt helped create a music scene that I ultimately benefitted from (my punk band Swindled even released a song about him called 'Nazi Dog').
"Leckie was exceptionally well read, and I’ve always been in awe of his command of not only the English language, but how he used it in media manipulation and self-promotion. He’s the last hero of the original punk ethos and I respect that he never sold out. I still wear the Viletones shirt he gave me as a badge of honour. RIP - Steven. Glad to have known your fierce presence in this world."
Toronto cinema owner Reg Hartt on Facebook: "I filmed the Viletones 2015 concert at The Phoenix in 3D. When Steve saw it he said 'I had no idea it would be this good.'" In his honour, Hartt's movie house CineForum, will host free screenings of that concert 7 pm and 9 pm Saturday through Thursday, June 15 through Aug 31(463 Bathurst Toronto).
On their official Facebook page, another top original punk band, The Mods, posted this tribute: "It was in early 1978 that we first saw the Viletones. It was our initiation to the scene and the beginning of a favour and debt we owe to Steven. Later, Greg got to know Steven and worked to have us open for the Viletones. Steven wanted to hear us before he would commit. One spring evening we picked up Steven and drove him to Greg's house in Scarborough where we rehearsed. A few weeks later, in June 79. We opened for the Viletones at the Horseshoe. That doesn't happen without the nod from Steven and it opened the door a crack and we were able to squeeze through.
"I didn't know him well and most of what I do know is from that time period - he was complicated, that much I know. He would frequently show up at our shows and you never knew exactly where that would take things. He was smart and charismatic and I hope he is in a place that recognizes what he brought to staid, boring Toronto in the late '70s. From all of us, we bid goodbye to Steven who left an indelible mark on our lives - RIP from the Mods."
Renowned live concert recorder Doug McClement recorded the Viletones many times, including the live album Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. In an obituary, he states that "Steven Leckie had that element of danger that’s missing in today’s rock’n’roll. Jerry Lee Lewis had it, Jim Morrison had it, Lemmy had it, Stiv Bators had it, and Steven is the best example I can think of, when you go to a show knowing ANYTHING could happen on stage that night. A true artist who never strayed from his vision.”
Canadian music industry veteran Brian Hetherman (now of
NXNE) posted this tribute on Facebook: "When I was a kid, I used to read
about Steven Leckie aka “Nazi Dog” and he seemed frightening to me. I was too
young to ever see the Viletones in action at the height of their reign and I
never imagined crossing paths with him, but many years later for the Garth
Hudson, Band tribute I did just that.I was both shocked and moved to find out
that he was a very kind, sweet and thoughtful man. Long after the project we
stayed in touch and he would send me very encouraging words and always had a
pro comment for my “rock n roll” posts! We lost a beautiful bright light,
wrapped in a true punk rock cover…. Rest easy Mr Leckie."
On a personal note, I considered Steven Leckie a friend.
Initially a major fan of the early Viletones [to me, they and Teenage Head were
the most exciting Canadian bands of that era], I went on to interview him
multiple times, including one three hour session over many pints in a British
pub in Toronto that we recently both recalled with fondness. I attended his
wedding and often visited Fleurs du Mal just to talk about music, art and
literature with Steve. He was indeed the real deal, and his passing leaves a
major void.
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