London, 23 June 2025 – Steve Dior, the battle-hardened guitarist, singer, and songwriter, is storming through London’s punk underground with a snarl and swagger that refuse to fade. Born in Ladbroke Grove in 1958, Dior’s life blazes with raw defiance – from the gritty streets of West London to stages across the globe. A true cult icon, he has battled demons, rocked alongside legends, and now returns, stronger than ever, for a solo show at the Stewart Arms in Notting Hill on 28 June 2025. Punk fans are already buzzing, with @SexPistolsExp leading the charge on X.
Punk Roots: The Making of a Rebel
Dior’s story roared into life in 1968 when his family bought the Clearlake Hotel on High Street Kensington. Shipped off to prep and boarding schools, Dior quickly rejected the privileged life, chasing the raw pulse of rock ‘n’ roll instead.
His first taste of the stage came in 1975 at Chiswick Poly, where he played his debut gig with the band Lipstick Traces. The line-up featured Mick Jones, before his days in The Clash, Honest John Plain (RIP) on drums, before he joined The Boys, and Brady from The Hollywood Brats. From that very first show, Dior proved he was cut from the cloth of rock rebels.
Exploding onto the Punk Scene
By 1976, Dior had carved out his place in London’s punk explosion. He formed The Idols with his mate Barry Jones after their chaotic stint in The Quickspurts. Teaming up with Chrissie Hynde (later of The Pretenders) and Keith Levene (later of Public Image Ltd), Dior helped ignite the unruly, rebellious energy that defined punk’s early days.
In 1979, Dior joined Sid Sings, performing alongside Sid Vicious, Paul Cook, Steve Jones, and New York Dolls legends Arthur Kane and Jerry Nolan. This collaboration firmly cemented his punk credentials.
Shaping Punk’s Next Chapter: The London Cowboys
In the early 1980s, Dior reshaped The Idols into The London Cowboys, fusing punk’s bite with rockabilly grit and glam swagger. With Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock on bass and Russell King on vocals, Dior tore through searing guitar riffs. When King moved on, Dior grabbed the mic and pushed the band forward.
The London Cowboys released Animal Pleasure (1982) and Tall in the Saddle (1984) via Jungle Records – both now cult collector’s items. Their gigs across the UK and Europe dripped with sweat, swagger, and unfiltered punk energy.
American Highways: Filthy Lucre
In 1993, Dior crossed the Atlantic to form Filthy Lucre with L.A. Guns frontman Phil Lewis. They tore through America’s dive bars, soaked in tequila and punk spirit, releasing the gritty album Popsmear.
London Calling: The Delinquents
By 2006, Dior was back in London, where he formed The Delinquents with singer Kelly Pizzo and recorded the cult favourite Dope Fiend. After Pizzo’s departure, Dior recruited 16-year-old Johnny Thunders lookalike Edd Whyte, drummer Sid Mayall (son of comic legend Rik Mayall), and bassist Sam Rutland.
They sharpened their sound in Kilburn’s notorious Cock Tavern, where the grisly discovery of a body on their first night perfectly set the tone. Dior later stepped back when Whyte formed Pink Cigar, a band that blazed brightly for the next decade.
On Film: Remembering Sid Vicious
In 2009, Dior appeared in Who Killed Nancy?, Alan G. Parker’s acclaimed documentary exploring the life and death of Sid Vicious.
The Steve Dior Band: Still Rocking
In 2013, Dior launched The Steve Dior Band, featuring Neil Anderson (guitar), James Simmins (bass), Elliot Mortimer (keys), and Michael Giri (drums). Their debut album Songs for the Wicked (2016), produced by David M. Allen, delivered 11 punchy, unapologetic rock tracks and hit iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon UK.
The band became a fixture of West London’s Ladbroke Grove, tearing through soul-drenched, high-energy gigs that kept the punk flame burning.
Fighting Demons: A Battle Off Stage
Off stage, Dior fought a fierce battle with heroin addiction, a struggle that nearly shattered his relationship with his son, Jez Dior – now a respected hip-hop artist. Jez stood by his father’s side in London, helping him fight for sobriety, a story Jez later shared in interviews.
In 2018, Dior moved to Ecuador and Mexico, where he finally broke free from addiction for good. He began writing his memoir and creating new music, while X user @magicaltime123 documented his life in Mexico and his painful separation from Jez, caused by U.S. immigration barriers.
Back Where He Belongs: London 2025
In May 2025, Dior returned to London, fired up and recording fresh material. His upcoming solo show on 28 June 2025 at the Stewart Arms promises to reignite the raw, uncompromising energy that has defined his career. As his official website proudly proclaims, Dior’s music still pulses with punk’s heartbeat – from The London Cowboys’ vinyl treasures to The Steve Dior Band’s modern anthems.
Steve Dior remains a rock ‘n’ roll survivor – unbowed, untamed, and still tearing through stages from the seedy dives of the ‘70s to the electric nights of today.
Sources:
Steve Dior – Wikipedia
London Cowboys – Jungle Records
Steve Dior – Official Website
The Steve Dior Band – iTunes, Google Play, Amazon UK
Jez Dior – Interview on addiction struggles
X post by @SexPistolsExp on Dior’s 2025 solo show
X post by @magicaltime123 on Dior’s Mexico days
Contact:
Tommy Kennedy IV