New doc focuses on the mysterious death of punk pioneer Stiv Bators

Steven Bator grew up in Girard, Ohio. By the time he died in Paris in 1990, he had morphed into Stiv Bators, singer for New York punks The Dead Boys and Lords of the New Church.

Eddie Vedder was such a big Dead Boys fan that he convinced Pearl Jam to record their “Sonic Reducer” for one of their Christmas singles.

So how did Steven/Stiv end up in Paris in the first place? There’s gotta be a story there, right? And then there’s the whole issue of the cause of death. Depending on which tale you believe, he was hit by a car, a taxi, or a bus. He ended up in hospital but walked away before getting treatment and later died in his sleep of a traumatic brain injury. And were his ashes really spread on Jim Morrison’s grave in Pere Lachaise Cemetery?

Time for the documentary treatment. Stiv: No Compromise No Regrets takes a look at his life and death. Here’s a trailer.

If you’re in the Toronto area, there are a couple of screenings coming up in May. Ticket details here.