About
"A Canadian treasure" — The Globe and Mail
The Pukka Orchestra began its story as a boisterous and beloved contributor to Toronto’s Queen Street music scene in the 1980s.
Led by Neil Chapman, Graeme Williamson and Tony Duggan-Smith, the Pukka Orchestra released two albums, an EP and a few singles. They filled their songs with big guitar hooks, piercing lyrics and satiric swagger. They won awards. Their story was unfolding nicely.
Everything Pukka was suddenly put on hold with the unexpected illness and, in 2020, the loss of Graeme.
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Now the story continues.
In 2024, Neil and Tony released Chaos Is Come Again. It’s a collection of wonderful Pukka songs that had never properly seen the light of day, and a fitting tribute to Graeme Williamson and his love of music. A joyful return to the stage followed with a festival appearance in September 2025.
Today, the Pukka Orchestra is feeling boisterous and beloved once again, with new recordings and more live shows just over the horizon.
Pukka Orchestra
The first Pukka album, released in 1984. "“…absurd vignettes moments in time odd swatches of emotions dark secrets existential barbs…they mix a party sensibility with at times a virtually apocalyptic vision of everyday human events” — Daryl Jung, NOW Magazine
1) Cherry Beach Express
2) Your Secret Is Safe With Me
3) Spies Of The Heart
4) The Deserter
5) Might As Well Be On Mars
6) Power Cut
7) Listen To The Radio
8) Miss Right
9) Flies (Big As Your Fist)
10) Rubber Girl
11) A Wonderful Time To Be Young
Chaos Is Come Again
A 2024 collection of songs from earlier releases, remixed and reworked with loving care. “Even though some of these eleven tracks date back more than 40 years, it sounds as good as anything released today… the music is pure Pukka.” — Alan Cross, host of The Ongoing History of New Music
1) Weekend (Come Alive!)
2) Elevator Man
3) Every Man And Woman Is A Star
4) Knocking On Open Doors (acoustic)
5) The Man In The Iron Glove
6) Sordid Thing Called Love
7) Keeping Warm In The Cold War
8) Goldmine In The Sky
9) Nos Amis Les Animaux
10) Waiting In The Wings
11) Knocking On Open Doors (band)
History
The Pukka Orchestra formed in Toronto in 1979, blending thoughtful songwriting with an exuberant new wave edge. The band’s name comes from the Hindi word pukka (pronounced “puk-uh"), meaning “genuine” or “first-class.” It was a phrase passed down to guitarist/songwriter Tony Duggan-Smith by his grandfather, once a harbourmaster in Calcutta, who told him: “Don’t waste your time with silly little bands — join a real pukka orchestra.”
Early Days
Led by Tony, Graeme Williamson (frontman / main songwriter) and Neil Chapman (guitarist/songwriter), the Pukkas quickly became prominent on Toronto’s Queen Street West scene. With a sound sometimes likened to "a herd of elephants rounding a corner,” they played legendary venues like The Bamboo, The Cameron House and The Horseshoe Tavern. Before long, the Pukka Orchestra found themselves opening for acts such as Cyndi Lauper, Thomas Dolby and Marianne Faithfull.
In 1984, their self-titled debut album was released on Solid Gold Records, featuring the Canadian Top 40 hit “Listen to the Radio.” Other popular singles such as "Might As Well Be On Mars" and "Cherry Beach Express” showed off the band's range, from deeply personal stories to wry social commentary. In 1985, the group won CFNY’s CASBY Award for Most Promising Group, establishing them as one of Toronto's most buzzed-about new wave bands.
Unexpected Turns
Just as momentum was building, their label collapsed, throwing all plans into turmoil. Then, Graeme suffered kidney failure while visiting Scotland.
The Toronto music community rallied with benefit concerts to support Graeme's treatment. After a kidney transplant, he returned briefly to Canada, and the band released the Palace of Memory EP in 1987. But by 1988, Williamson had returned permanently to Scotland to focus on his health, his personal studies and his family. The Pukka Orchestra’s initial run came to an end.
Graeme Williamson passed away in 2020. Beyond his brilliant songwriting, Graeme was also a gifted author and storyteller. As Tony put it, he was “a poet who just happened to sing.” His words and melodies continue to inspire listeners today.
You can discover more about Graeme Williamson, his life, his music and his writing here.
An Unexpected Return
In 2024, the Pukka Orchestra, in partnership with Iris Williamson and Frank Davies, released a powerful new album, Chaos Is Come Again. It features tracks that had previously been available only to friends and local fans, remixed and reworked with new depth and clarity. A tribute to the words and voice of Graeme Williamson, Chaos Is Come Again also declares that the story of the Pukka Orchestra is still unfolding.
In September 2025, Neil and Tony brought together a new lineup of musical friends for a one-off festival appearance. And it all came back: the fun and power and joy of being the Pukka Orchestra filled the stage. More shows are coming. New music is on the way. Start listening for the sound of a herd of elephants rounding a corner near you!
Timeline
1979 — The Pukka Orchestra is formed in Toronto
1981 — Release of their first single, "Rubber Girl"
1984 — Pukka Orchestra, their self-titled debut album, is released
1985 — The Pukka Orchestra wins CASBY Award for Most Promising New Group
1988 — Graeme, Neil and Tony pause the band due to health setbacks and label collapse
2020 — Passing of Graeme Williamson
2022 — Release of Because You Were There, an album of Graeme’s previously unreleased songs
2024 — Release of Chaos Is Come Again
2025 — First (but not the last) Pukka Orchestra performance of the new millennium
Gallery
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