An active professional musician since the mid sixties, Mackay first found fame as the Funhouse-era sax player for The Stooges, (once inspiring Miles Davis to forcefully plug his ears during an NYC gig) then continuing on a long, varied voyage through styles as a member of the Violent Femmes, backing Residents' guitarist Snakefinger , collaborating with J Mascis and Mike Watt. and nearly the entirety of the musicians from the collective Radon.

In the most bizarre twist to his lengthy career, Mackay is considered dead by major media and rock historians. Reports of his drug overdose in the 70s have been perpetuated by MTV, VH1 and Rolling Stone. A steady stream of inquiries to Steve's mortality has persisted since his re-emergence with Radon.

From 2001-2003, Mackay teamed with Radon to meticulously compile his experimental epic "Michigan and Arcturus". The fresh blood of his sonic architect, co-conspirators has inspired a venture into wholly unique musical territory. For the Radon Uropa 7 inch series Mackay donated the painful clamour of his pinball duet Punk Machine and supported this release with west coast shows in 2003.

In the next years, Mackay accelerated his activity with a barrage of collaborations. He reclaimed his position with the Violent Femmes, on stage and in the studio, toured 5 continents with the Stooges and Radon Ensemble, lent his talents to a track on the second Grails record for Neurot Recordings, backed Smegma for concerts and recordings, was called upon by The Dirt Bombs, popped into recording studios in mid tour locales such as, Ireland, Belgium and Turkey, led an Israeli improv band in Tel Aviv, threw down with Portuguese unit Mecanosphere, and appears on both volumes of ¡°U.S.S¡±., an ongoing Radon backed collaboration series with members of Soopa, Ovo, Barbez, Love 666 and more. Whatever the style, wherever the place, Mackay always brings valuable contributions to the table.

2006 saw the long awaited release of ¡°Tunnel Diner". Finally catching the rock n roll path his work with Radon had taken. The band invaded Europe for the occasion sharing the stage with noise luminaries like KK Null and Wolf Eyes.

Things then took an unexpected shift. Having explored the blasts of noise to completion, the Ensemble changed gears and began an exploration of Mackay's composed work. At locations across the 'States, a new formation of Radon Ensemble was born, featuring skilled musicians and multi-horn line-ups that were able to realize the many songs written by Mackay over the years.

2 solid years were devoted to capturing these works on record and a cast of musicians and recording studios from 5 countries were sought out to perfect final incarnations of the songs. Some of Steve's Stooges cohorts jumped on board, including Mike Watt and "Ypsi Jim" to offer their contributions.

Polyglot Agency was formed to back the releases and Steve Mackay's solo work has never been more in the public eye.

Still has sax, still traveling.