Tuff's
Stevie Rachelle
Interview by Keith McDonald
Tuff was one of the bands that never got its just due.
They did have a big radio and MTV hit with 'I Hate Kissing You Goodbye'
but nothing ever materialized after that. You can blame Seattle and
Nirvana or the fact that the major label didn't give the needed promotion
to get the ball rolling. No matter what, Tuff just never hit Platinum
status and fell into oblivion soon after. Yet Stevie has kept the name
alive and quite busy releasing albums and DVDs. I recently had the
opportunity to speak with him and get the lowdown on his band. You can
check out the website at www.TuffCDs.com.
Tell me about the DVD's that you have coming out.
There are 4 newly released DVDs and they are available at
www.TuffCds.com
Tuff "What comes around...goes around-The Videos" 1991/2004
Tuff "Religious Fix-The Making of Videos" 1995/2004
Tuff "Decade of Distant Memories-85-95" 1996/2004
Tuff "Rock N' Rarities" issued 2004
These DVDs can be purchased each for $20.00 or the entire TUFF DVD
4-Pack is only $ 75.00. Please take a click on over to www.TuffCds.com
to find out more.
I've also included the press release regarding these DVDs...
It's 2004 and with technology moving along what better time than now,
to add TUFF to your growing collection of DVDs. But don't add just one -
add all four. That's right; RLS Records & TUFF are issuing all three
of their original Home Videos on DVD and a new piece to make it an even
four pack. There is a theme with each DVD and with over 6 hours of footage
you can't go wrong when choosing these digitally enhanced clips. The newly
added menu section and graphics are out of this world with sound bites,
flyer collages, rare pictures and more. No more re-winding or fast
forwarding to get to your favorite video, backstage clip or section of
choice. These DVDs can be purchased each for $ 20.00 or the entire TUFF
DVD 4-Pack is only $ 75.00. Please take a click on over to Http://www.Tuffcds.com
to find out more.
{Selection # DVD61332} TUFF "What comes around goes around" -
The Videos. This DVD includes videos for the following songs: "The
All New Generation", "So Many Seasons", "Ruck-A-Pit
Bridge", "Lonely Lucy", "Spit Like This", &
the #3 Dial MTV request "I Hate Kissing You Goodbye." There is
also a bonus video for "Down on Sinner Street" which was
originally recorded by the band in early 1989. This DVD also includes
various outtakes and footage from the bands first ever-major label
(Atlantic/Titanium) supported tour of the US & the UK during 1991.
Running Time: 60 Minutes.
{Selection # DVD61432} TUFF "Religious Fix" - The Making
of... This DVD includes videos for the following songs: "Tied To the
Bells", "Better Off Dead" & "In Dogs We
Trust." This DVD shows in great detail how the band spent the summer
of 1994 self financing & filming a trilogy of videos for their self
released (RLS Records) "Fist First" EP. That EP became a full
length and was re-released as "Religious Fix" after 3 additional
tracks and a new major label (BMG//Mausoleum) was added. This DVD as a
whole is very much-like the Guns n' Roses release entitled "Making
F**king Videos." See for yourself how the band made use of a closet
crawl space, their backyard pool, and a sprinkler system to make these
high quality clips. Running Time: 60 Minutes.
{Selection # DVD61532} TUFF "Decade of Distant Memories" -
85-95. This DVD includes videos for the following songs: "I Like What
I See", "Makes Me Sick", "The All New Generation
-Live", "Tied To The Bells - Live", "God Bless This
Mess - Live", "Spit Like This - Live", & "In Dogs
We Trust - Live." This DVD will show you in great detail some of the
highest and lowest points of the bands exciting career. It's packed full
of killer footage of the band on the road, in the studio, backstage and
behind closed doors. This DVD will show you about the good times, and the
bad. It's a reality filled look at what a band really goes through daily
while out on tour. Running Time: 120 Minutes.
{Selection # DVD61632} TUFF "Rock n' Rarities." This DVD is
packed full of over two dozen rare TUFF performances. You will be taken to
gigs from the mid 80s thru the mid 90s and into some of the worlds most
famous Hollywood clubs like Gazzarris, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, & The
Troubadour. TUFF will also take you on tour with them when they played in
Minnesota, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin & more. See
TUFF perform the b-sides from their releases like: "Wake Me Up",
"Simon Says", "Follow The Loser", &
"Disaster." Also see TUFF perform rare demo cuts like: "Put
Out Or Get Out", "Don't Complain", "Money Talks",
"What Comes Around Goes Around", & "Bang-Bang."
You'll even see TUFF cover their favorites like Ratt, Metalica, Ted
Nugent, & Black Sabbath. Running Time: 120 Minutes.
Tuff 2001 Press Shot
What happened with Titanium Records? Did their downfall affect
Tuff's career?
Titanium was an Indie Label thru Atlantic. Basically the money and main
support is supplied by the Atlantic Records Label and staff. Once they
pull the plug, then Titanium (was) nearly helpless. Having a major label
deal and support is usually a good thing for any band, and it was for Tuff
too. But, in the end, it wasn't about Tuff, or the label, it was about
Seattle and a HUGE change for the whole industry. So, in the end Tuff,
Badlands, Titanium Records, Trixter, Mechanic Records, and dozens of other
major label bands thru similar Indie Labels were killed off!
Are all of the Tuff albums available? What's in the catalog?
Yes all 7 Tuff releases & my 2 Solo CDs are available at www.TuffCds.com
Tuff "What comes around...goes around" Atlantic/Titanium 1991
Tuff "Religious Fix" BMG/Mausoleum 1995
Tuff "Live in the the U.K." RLS Records 2003
Tuff "The History of Tuff" includes "American Hair
Band" RLS Records 2001
Tuff "Fist First" RLS Records 1994
Tuff "Decade of Disrespect" RLS Records 1996
Tuff "Regurgitation" RLS Records 1997-Re-issued 2000
Rachelle, Stevie "Since Sixty Six" RLS Records 2000
Rachelle, Stevie "Who the Hell am I?" RLS Records 1998
How much touring do you do these days?
I do a few Tuff dates here and there but not like I used to. I did a
tour of the UK in the fall of 2002 and had other dates in Europe last fall
that got cancelled at the last minute. I also have a cover band called
Motley Priest that plays around a few gigs a month. Every other year or so
my Football group (CWA) ends up playing at a Packers game in San Diego,
Phoenix or back in Wisconsin. I'm hoping this summer and fall that Tuff
will be able to do some dates again as well.
Do you still speak with any former members? What are they up to?
I talk to all of the guys. Michael is in the food business. Todd has
been working in the communications end of business and had been doing some
music as well. Jorge recently moved back to LA from Florida after having
lived there again since 1996.
Is there a new studio album on the horizon?
Not sure, you never know. Things happen out of blue for no reason at
all sometimes. I hope so, that would rock!
Who is in your band now?
I've been playing with drummer Tod "T" Burr in Tuff since
2001. Ironically he was the drummer in Todd Chase's last project Substance
D for 10 years. Jamie Fonte has been playing bass for the last few years
and he was in the band during 1994-95 as well. As for guitar players I've
done shows with a bunch of guys over the last few years. Darrell Roberts
who went on to join W.A.S.P., Michael Thomas who went onto join Beautiful
Creatures and then Ashba. I also did a show with John Corabi and Keri
Kelli played a few shows too.
How much did the 'hair-band' stigma hurt?
Who cares? It might have 'hurt' in some ways, but it 'helped' in even
more ways. I am not ashamed to have been in Tuff, a hairband from the 80s.
But I am ashamed of the fellow musicians who run from it. I have a
personal issue with Bret Michaels of Poison but salute them 100% for
sticking to their guns and doing what they do best. On the [other] hand I
have no issue with Sebastian Bach personally, but think he's a real moron
when he loses his marbles over his name or the Skid Row name being
affiliated with the 80s or hairbands.
Tuff 1988
How did Tuff start?
Todd & Jorge started this band in Phoenix in 1984 or 85. I wasn't
involved until 1987 so as for the actual start I can't tell all.
How hard was it to get signed?
Not easy, but then again nothing ever is. In looking back getting
signed didn't and still doesn't mean shit. It's like getting invited to
compete in the X-Games. There are 99 other guys (bands) to compete with,
and if you place 37th out of 100 no one really cares. If you get a trophy
and place in the top 10, then it means more. Either way, Tuff placing
wherever we did still means something to me and always will. Tuff was
signed 3 different times, to 3 different labels, but some of the best
times we ever had were before the record deals came along.
How much has the LA scene changed since the heyday?
Drastically. There are still some of the same clubs, magazines, and
companies but it's just not what it once was. I would compare the 80s Glam
scene on the Sunset Strip to that of the disco Studio 54 scene in NYC.
After the downfall it just wasn't the same anymore.
Any interesting stories you'd like to share about the Strip?
Yeah, there will be endless tell all tales in my book one day. In the
meantime you can go visit www.Metalsludge.com
as I am contributing to their column called ROAD SLUDGE. It's true-life
stories about what happened for Tuff on the road and how it really is.
I've sent in a few already and will be sending more. There is also a great
story by Jizzy Pearl.
Anything you'd like to plug/promote?
Yeah everything at www.TuffCds.com
What lies ahead for Tuff?
Wait and see, the future is good!
Thanks, Stevie Rachelle / TUFF / RLS Records