INTERVIEW – Stevie Rachelle (Tuff)
Published on September 24, 2010 by Christian Sellers · No Comments
Tuff were formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1985 and, after recording the EP Knock Yourself Out, recruited lead singer Stevie Rachelle in 1987. The band soon became a sensation on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles and toured in support of such bands as Enuff Z’Nuff and Warrant.
After signing with Atlantic Records they released their debut album What Comes Around Goes Around in 1991, which spawned the hit single I Hate Kissing You Goodbye. But the rise of grunge in the wake of Nirvana‘s seminal album Nevermind caused a sudden shift within the music industry and Tuff were dropped from the label. They have continued to tour and record for the last twenty years and enjoyed success with their tribute to the days of glam metal with their 2001 track American Hair Band.
Stevie Rachelle discusses how Tuff have survived and his thoughts on today’s music scene.
Do you recall how your passion for music first developed and how did your upbringing play a part in this?
“Skateboarding was my first exposure to music. Going to ramps and skateparks had me hearing DEVO, the B-52s, The Clash, Boomtown Rats and 999. I loved this music first.”
You were a skateboarder during your teens; did you ever consider pursuing this as a career?
“Ha, yes. Moved to Florida at 18 and was soon skating for Ron Jons in Cocoa Beach, and was close to getting a signature deck thru Kami Kaze Skates.”
Having first begun playing bass guitar, at what point did you decide that you were going to be a singer and how did you come to perform with X-iter?
“I was the least talented guy in the garage. Everyone else smoked me on bass or guitar, and no one wanted to sing. So I started and never looked back.”
You also played for a short time with Tomi Gunn, at what point did you decide to move out to California and what do you recall about first arriving in Los Angeles?
“I saw a Tuff flyer that they were looking for a singer. My friend showed me the flyer on Friday in Wisconsin. 6 days later I landed at LAX. I loved it. Seeing palm trees made me smile. They still do.”
Which rock bands around this time were you a fan of and which in particular had an impact on both your image and sound?
“Mötley Crüe, Van Halen & Ratt. Also loved Black n Blue, Helix and Fastway.”
You were interviewed by Penelope Spheeris for her glam metal documentary The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years. Do you feel, looking back on the film, that she had a negative opinion of that specific music scene and was this an enjoyable experience?
“It was great. And I am fine with how I was portrayed. Some others looked like complete idiots. Delusional comments like “I’ll kill myself if I am not bigger than Robert Plant.” Chris Holmes segment was epic. Sad, funny, I guess real, or somewhat staged from what some have said. The movie was a cool thing.”
With Tuff having already released the EP Knock Yourself Out with Jim Gillette, how did you come to join the group as vocalist and did you have any obligation to copy the style of Gillette?
“Not at all. Jimmy wanted to scream. And I did not. Nor did the band want that. I think I was DEF a better fir for the band. Jimmy would agree. We are still friends today.”
Like many glam metal bands you performed regularly on Sunset Strip. Much has been made of the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll environment at that time, did Tuff embrace that lifestyle as much as other groups?
“For me, sex yes, the drugs no. As for other members of Tuff, they would have to answer that for themselves. That time was magical. No one can imagine it, unless you were there. I am happy to say I was.”
Your image during the time that you were promoting What Comes Around Goes Around closely resembled Bret Michaels, who also wrote one of the tracks. Were you concerned that you may be dismissed as a Poison clone and how did he become involved?
“Bret didnt write the song. He claimed he did. And in the end we found out he didn’t. The singer from Soul Kitchen wrote Wake Me Up. As for my look, I think Bret is just as guilty for looking like Vince or David Lee Roth. When I was coming up in music in 1984, 1985 and 1986 I had NO idea who Poison was. Clearly we have a similar background. Midwest, German, Blond, Blue, now bald.. lol. And I would guess he loved Crüe and V.Halen the same. Bret was NOT the reason I was who I was. Nor was Jani, or anyone else.”
Did Tuff find it difficult to survive during the 1990s, when the industry had turned its back on glam metal? What were your thoughts on grunge and the other successful bands of the decade, such as Korn and Marilyn Manson?
“Yes it was a rough go, but that’s part of the game. I loved some of the grunge and some of the nu metal. Still do. They had their good time, and down fall as well.”
The song American Hair Band referenced countless rock bands from when Tuff first appeared in LA, such as Britny Fox and Skid Row. Do you think that the metal scene could ever be like it was when you were first starting out?
“Nope. That’s like asking if there will be another Studio 54 and disco scene in NYC like the late 70s. Won’t happen again the same way.”
Steel Panther are a parody of bands such as Van Halen and Mötley Crüe, how do you feel about the metal scene being spoofed in such a way?
“Love it. GREAT guys, UNREAL band. They deserve ALL the success they get. Super talented. Love them.”
Do you think that Tuff will release another album and what do you have planned for the foreseeable future?
“Wait and see… www.tuffcds.com, Twitter, FB and MySpace will hold all the answers.”
|
||||||||
