His first solo effort can be described as alternative indie jazzy blues and pop by lead vocalist of 80s cult favourites, The Extras, always fun and intriguing.

13 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Jazzy Blues, ROCK: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock



Details:
Born in Croydon, England, 1949, Charles Leon Stevenson emigrated with his family to Canada in the early fifties.

As a young teen in 1963 he worked at the legendary Crang Plaza in the wilds of North York. It was here that he met artists such as Gene "The Duke of Earl" Chandler, Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins and local bands such as Li'l Caesar and The Consuls, Richie Knight and The Midnites. This solidified his love for rock n' roll.

By the time Leon was in high school, he was singing and playing (drums) in bands influenced by the music of the time... The Beatles and The Stones, garage rock of the "Louie Louie" era, The Kingsmen, Question Mark & The Mysterions, The Seeds, Count Five, The Standells and Toronto's own Ugly Ducklings.

In 1971, he was paying his dues playing the rough and tumble bar rooms of Northern Ontario, followed by the rest of Canada and the U.S in various groups. He also met up with former school mate keyboardist Denis Keldie. Since they shared a lot of the same experiences (real and imagined) they started writing songs.

Leon and Mr. K, as they were known, honed their songcraft at The Moscow Drug Club with the late great B.B. Gabor. They formed a band soon to be known as The Extras and signed to indie label Ready Records (Canada). A ska-new wavish outfit in the 80's, The Extras were best known for the novelty hit "Circular Impression" featured on the Dr. Demento show and for the song "Can't Stand Still" with it's critically acclaimed animated video featuring a very nervous cat.

The 90's saw Leon experimenting with electronic beats and samples. He produced several records with The Squid Brother's Industrial Artz and signed to MCA Records with former Ready Records label mate Spoon's bassist Sandy Horne under the name Dog Won't Bite.

Today Leon is numero uno drummer and vocalist with retro-rockers Danny Marks and with the Paul James Band, amongst others.

UNWANTED MEMORIES is his first solo CD recording of original material reflecting back on all his past experiences.The CD contains 13 original "cool rockin'" tracks written and produced by Leon Stevenson.

U.M. also enlists the fine guitar work of Michael St. Clair (Jacksoul), Pat Rush (Jeff Healy) and new guitar sensation Kyle Peters. Bassist Rodney St. Amand is solid throughout and Martin Aucoin adds authentic flavour on Wurlitzer piano and Vox organ. Musical contributions by Steve Donald (trombone), Isax (saxophone), and ex-Extras drummer Paul Armstrong can also be heard throughout the album.