The Mods

Amazing what you can do on New Years Day when you’re not hung over!

It was in early 1978 that we first saw the Viletones. Greg, Mark and I went to see them at the Horseshoe. I can't recall who else was on the bill that night, but that night had an immediate impact on us. We didn't exit unscathed. Mark went home with a black eye as he traded a few blows between sets outside the Viletones dressing room. It was our initiation to the scene and the beginning of a favour and debt we owe to Steven. This was 6 months before David Quinton joined as our drummer and we had Nick (Arson) playing with us. 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. Steven was in character remarking how far out in the burbs we lived. We had all attended Thomson C.I. and of course Steven had gone to Midland C.I. just down the road - but we didn't know that at that time. At Greg's house, Greg's mom, gushing like a school girl was introduced to Steven. Steven, sensing the unusual greeting, turned into an absolute gentleman, addressing her as Mrs. Trinier and being as polite as a schoolboy, albeit with a few F*&k's thrown in. 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 70's. From all of us, we bid goodbye to Steven who left an indelible mark on our lives - RIP from the Mods.

Canadian group THE MODS - Scott Marks, David Quinton, Mark Dixon, Greg Trinier (1979)