TUFF

Information

fan group for the band TUFF

Members: 69
Latest Activity: Sep 16

~ HISTORY ~

Often compared to Poison, Tuff played a similar brand of catchy pop metal -- although at times much darker. They had the pretty-boy good looks that were so popular in the glam years, but just arrived too late on the scene to make much of a commercial dent.
Formed in Phoenix, Arizona; the band, which consisted of Jim Gillette (vocals), Jorge DeSaint (guitar), Todd Chase (bass) and Michael Lean (drums), decided to relocate to Hollywood and released a four song EP. Shortly after it's release Gillette departed the band for a solo career (and to later form Nitro) while Bret Michaels look-a-like Stevie Rachelle took over on the microphone. Tuff toured steadily for three years before finally landing a major label-recording contract, however their timing was very bad. Just as their first single, "I Hate Kissing You Goodbye", was roaring up the MTV charts, a band called Nirvana was breaking out of Seattle and would change the face of music forever. Tuff became one of the forgotten bands among the grunge movement, and was promptly dropped by Atlantic records.
By 1993 both Chase and Lean had left the group to be replaced by Danny Wilder and Jimi Lord respectively. They toured for a short time before Wilder walked away and Jamie Fonte was brought in for the last version of Tuff. Fist First (an album that later became Religious Fix when three new tracks were added) would be the band's last studio effort and in 1995 Tuff called it a day.
Rachelle continued on with a solo career and playing in bands such as Motley Priest. By 2001 a revamped Tuff emerged and made waves with the tongue-in-cheek rap metal parody "American Hair Band" which appeared on The History Of Tuff. Tuff continues to tour sporadically to this day, with Rachelle remaining the focal point and leader.

(Courtesy of www.sleazeroxx.com)

~ "I Hate Kissing You Goodbye" video ~

~ "So Many Seasons" video ~

~ "All New Generation" video ~

Discussion Forum

Favorite song(s) off The History of Tuff?

Started by Kelly Aug 19.

Favorite song(s) off Religious Fix?

Started by Kelly Aug 19.

Favorite Songs off "What Comes Around Goes Around" 7 Replies

Started by Motleymike87. Last reply by Kelly Aug 16.

Tuff Announces Opener For West Coast Tour

Started by Andrew Jul 9.

Hair Metal Mansion Interview with Todd "Chase" Chaisson of Tuff

Started by Andrew Apr 2.

Comment Wall (8 comments)

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8 Comments

Comment by Mad Margritt on April 4, 2009 at 10:09am: Hey Thanks for the invite!
We have some pictures up on our main site www.madmargritt.com gallery tab with stevie singing with us

Comment by Todd Chaisson on April 3, 2009 at 4:21pm: But I'm not in that video. : ( LOL!!!

Comment by LISH on April 3, 2009 at 1:22pm: How bout putting Tuffs song "Better Off Dead" video up(under Tuffcds on youtube), it's more rockin and doesn't sound so much like Poison like people seem to think...I think both bands have their own style, only thing was the blonde hair, made them look similar!!!

Comment by PSYLOCKE on April 3, 2009 at 12:59pm: Woah, nice interview!!! Thank you Andrew!!!

Btw last month came Tuff with Skid Row, Pretty Boy Flor and Enuff znuff, was a shame the concert was expensive as hell, in a very small place (a discoteque of electronic music WTF!) And well.... there's just few people interested in Skiw without Bach....(they were the main band)

Comment by Andrew on April 2, 2009 at 2:02pm: Just posted an exclusive Hair Metal Mansion Interview that I did with Tuff bassist, Todd "Chase" Chaisson!