About Steven Leckie, The Viletones and Gary Topp

Filed Under: 1. Schedule, Purpose by admin — Comments Off

October 16, 2026

Font Size

On my birthday, June 12, 2025, a voice in my head said, “Show Steven’s film.”

I replied, “No one comes to see it. I will show it when he dies.”

On June 13 I learned Steven Leckie, lead singer of THE VILETONES, had died on June 12th.

I began showing the 3D motion picture I made of Steven’s 2015 concert at The Phoenix.

As it was a memorial screening (which this is as well) I made the screening free. I did not want someone who loved the man to be unable to come because they could not afford it. If there is one thing about artists it is that we drink from the last teat on the bull. Bulls do not give milk. That means we drink from a particularly dry well.

That concert was funded by Steven’s then girlfriend Valkyrie Valhalla (a lady who does not get the credit she deserves).

Normally I work nights.

When Steven informed me about the event I said, “I will document it in 3D.”

Steven Leckie was never properly documented in concert. Documenting him in 3D would be putting icing on the cake.

I don’t like concert films as almost all of them are too contrived.

However my SONY HDR TD10 camera allows me to film in 3D with available light anonymously from the floor.

The big question was could I, as a 70 year old fart, stand up long enough to do the job right.

“My grace is sufficient unto you for in your weakness my strength is made perfect,” GOD told St. Paul when Paul asked his weakness be removed. I knew enough not to ask. As I am I am right with GOD.

Not only did I record Steven, I recorded the rest of the acts on the bill.

I invited Steven over to THE CINEFORUM to see it. He said, “I DID NOT KNOW IT WOULD BE THIS GOOD!”

My brother-in-law, Robert Allen, was the original drummer of Hamilton’s FORGOTTEN REBELS. When my sister, Kathy, his wife, visited Rob asked to see Steven’s film. After seeing it Rob said, “That is really great. The 3D really brings it alive. I felt myself part of the audience.”

3D is a wonderful medium having a long and difficult birth.

“Why is this titled Gary Topp?” you ask.

Well, now I get to Gary.

I posted the presentation on flyers around Toronto and on Facebook.

I posted on Gary’s page because Gary was the main promoter of the scene.

To my surprise Gary asked me not to post on his Facebook. Why? Read it for yourself.

On my page I said Gary felt the presentation so soon after Steven’s death was inappropriate.

This struck me as odd as both Gary and Steven built their careers on being inappropriate.

People responded by saying they felt the presentation totally appropriate.

At no time did I fault Gary.

However Gary went ballistic. He wasted no time faulting me.

To my surprise Eric Viellette was swift to endorse Gary’s statement I am delusional and evil.

Gary Topp is famous for the 99 CENT ROXY.

As a promoter he is famous for charging low prices.

Yes, he was a huge part of the scene however the artists he used did not make enough money to pay their rent and support themselves let alone the scene they were part of them.

Few of them actually knew what they were doing.

Steven Leckie was most likely the only one who did. Ironically, other musicians faulted him for being hip.

Colin Brunton, in whose film THE LAST POGO Steven Leckie and THE VILETONES are the main draw, says Leckie demanded to be paid for appearing in the picture as if that were a fault on the part of Steven.

In the end, Steven did not get paid nor did any of the other artists. At the very least they should have gotten a percentage. Like I said, artists drink from the last teat on the bull.

Let’s take a look at THE FANFARE edition of THE GLOBE AND MAIL which announced the arrival of THE VILETONES:

For a 17 year old kid fresh out of the factory that is an awesome herald.

That is a career builder.

Lester Bangs, writing in ROLLING STONE, stated, “THE VILETONES ARE THE BEST PUNK BAND IN THE WORLD.”

So what happened?

Read Liz Worth’s TREAT ME LIKE DIRT for that.

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/who-was-steven-leckie-toronto-miked-podcast-episode-1713/id557260245?i=1000713294572

For Steven’s view of Liz’s book go here: https://www.vice.com/en/article/nazi-dog-gets-treated-like-dirt/
When Colin Brunton’s THE LAST POGO JUMPS AGAIN (2013) screened Steven sat beside long time friend Gary Topp. Ten years passed before Steven talked to Gary again.

“That night every time Steven came on the screen,” Valkyrie Valhalla told me, “the audience hissed.”

As I said, ten years passed before Steven talked to Gary again.

The night I documented a truly heroic performance.

While his body was racked with pain we, the audience, are not aware of it.

While many dissed Leckie as a singer I put him right up there with the best, with Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

Who am I? I am someone a lot of people say extremely good things about: https://reghartt.ca/cineforum/?p=43100

“I can’t do this when I get older,” Steven said, adding, “I have to grow.”

Steven Leckie did grow. He grew into a damn fine person.

Fortunately I caught him at his extraordinary best.

Is Gary Topp welcome to show up?

I walk with the man Steven walked with. That man said, “Turn other cheek. Walk the other mile. Love your enemy. Do good to those who do harm to you.”

Of course, Gary is welcome.