Steve Dior – Born Survivor
An In-Depth Interview | London, 23 June 2025
Few have lived the life that Steve Dior has – a life steeped in the raw pulse of punk rock, soaked in rebellion, and marked by survival against the odds. From the streets of Ladbroke Grove to stages around the world, Dior’s journey is a jagged ride through the heart of punk. Ahead of his exclusive acoustic set at The Stewart Arms in Notting Hill on 28 June, I sat down with the man himself to talk music, mayhem, and the road back to London.
You’ve been called a cult figure, a survivor, a punk original. How do you see yourself?
Steve Dior: I don’t really think about labels, to be honest. I’ve just always done what felt right. Played music, lived a bit fast, made a few mistakes – well, quite a lot, actually – but I’m still here. That’s the bit that matters. If people see me as a survivor, I’ll take that.
Let’s rewind. You grew up in Ladbroke Grove in the late ‘60s – what was your world like back then?
Steve Dior: It was gritty, you know? My family bought the Clearlake Hotel in Kensington in ’68, but they sent me off to prep and boarding schools – that life never really fit me. I was drawn to the noise, the street, the music. Rock ‘n’ roll grabbed me early and didn’t let go.
When did you first hit the stage?
Steve Dior: That was ‘75 at Chiswick Poly. I was in a band called Lipstick Traces with Mick Jones – before The Clash – Honest John Plain, who went on to join The Boys, and Brady from The Hollywood Brats. It was rough and ready, but I knew then I’d found my place.
By ‘76, you were right in the middle of London’s punk explosion. What was that like?
Steve Dior: Mental. It was like the whole city was shaking loose at the seams. I started The Idols with Barry Jones after we’d been messing about in The Quickspurts. We played with Chrissie Hynde and Keith Levene before they went on to bigger things. It wasn’t about making it – it was about making noise. We just wanted to rip it up.
You played with Sid Vicious in ‘79 – that’s legendary stuff. What was Sid like to work with?
Steve Dior: Sid was Sid. People forget, under all the chaos, he had a real sweetness to him. I was in Sid Sings with him, Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Arthur Kane, Jerry Nolan – a proper who’s who of punk and New York Dolls. It was raw, messy, but there was magic in it. You didn’t think about history being made. We were just living.
You kept pushing things forward with The London Cowboys in the ‘80s. How did that come about?
Steve Dior: The Idols sort of evolved into The London Cowboys. I wanted to mix punk’s bite with a bit of rockabilly and glam swagger. Glen Matlock joined us on bass, Russell King was on vocals. When Russell moved on, I stepped up to sing. We toured all over, played hard, lived harder. Animal Pleasure and Tall in the Saddle came out of that – records I’m still proud of.
You seemed to have a knack for collaborations – tell me about working with Gerry Laffy and Glen Matlock later on.
Steve Dior: Yeah, in ‘86 we did London 86 – proper live, no frills, with Jerry Nolan as well. Then in ‘89, I was out in LA with Gerry again, along with Philip Rowland and Steve Counsel. Punk’s never been about standing still – it’s about moving, finding new sounds, new mates to make noise with.
Speaking of LA, you formed Filthy Lucre in the early ‘90s. What was the American punk scene like for you?
Steve Dior: Different vibe. Less sneering, more wide open. I teamed up with Phil Lewis from L.A. Guns – we were drinking a lot of tequila back then – and we put out Popsmear. It’s a filthy little record, I love it. Played every dive bar we could find. Good times, dangerous times.
You came back to London in the 2000s and formed The Delinquents. What was the mission then?
Steve Dior: I was still chasing the high of live music. I started The Delinquents with Kelly Pizzo – she had real fire – and we made Dope Fiend. Later, Johnny Thunders’ doppelgänger, Edd Whyte, joined us, along with Sid Mayall – yes, Rik Mayall’s son – and Sam Rutland. We played Kilburn’s Cock Tavern – first night, they found a body upstairs. You couldn’t script it. Proper punk venue.
You’ve had your battles off stage too – particularly with addiction. How did you pull yourself through that?
Steve Dior: Yeah, heroin nearly finished me off. Nearly wrecked my relationship with my son, Jez. He stuck by me though, came to London to help me fight through it. I owe him everything. He’s doing his own thing now in hip-hop – proud of him. In 2018, I went to Ecuador and Mexico, got clean for good. Wrote a lot, played some, and kept going.
Some of your fans followed your story through @magicaltime123’s posts on X. That must’ve been surreal?
Steve Dior: Yeah, that account’s been there through a lot – the good, the bad, the weird. The whole thing with not being able to see Jez because of US immigration – that was heartbreaking. But life moves. I’ve made peace with a lot.
Now you’re back in London. How does it feel?
Steve Dior: Feels right. London’s in my bones. I’m playing this solo acoustic show at The Stewart Arms on the 28th – proper stripped back, raw, no big stage tricks. Just me, the songs, and whoever shows up to listen. Should be a great
What can people expect from the show?
Steve Dior: Two acoustic sets, plenty of stories, maybe a few surprises. It’ll be intimate, noisy in the right way, and we’ll probably end up jamming with a few mates. Free entry, proper pub vibes. It’s what live music should be – no barriers.
Last question – after everything, why are you still doing this?
Steve Dior: Because I love it. Simple as that. Music kept me alive. Punk isn’t about being young – it’s about never giving up.
Catch Steve Dior – Live & Unplugged
Acoustic Night at The Stewart Arms, Notting Hill
Saturday, 28 June 2025
First Set: 7:00 PM | Live music until 10:00 PM
Entry: Free
The Stewart Arms, 26 Norland Road, London, W11 4TR
Nearest Tube: Shepherd’s Bush (Central Line)
Follow: Stewart Arms W11 on Facebook
#LiveMusic #FreeEntry #LondonGigs #StewartArmsW11 #SupportLiveMusic
For more on Steve Dior:
Contact for Press and Bookings.
Tommy Kennedy IV