The Pukka Orchestra

"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. 

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.