Tuff (band)
| Tuff | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Genres | Glam metal,hard rock, heavy metal |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Atlantic, I.R.S./Grand Slamm Records, Mausoleum Records |
| Associated acts | Nitro, Substance D, Sister Whiskey |
| Website | tuffcds.com |
| Members |
Stevie Rachelle Todd "Chase" Chaisson |
| Past members | Jorge DeSaint Gary Huckaby Michael Lean Terry Fox Jim Gillette Danny Wilder Jimi Lord Winalis Jamie Fonte Adam Hamilton Benny Bruce Brian Saunders Tony Eckholm Darrell Roberts Michael Thomas John Corabi Keri Kelli |
Tuff is an American glam metal band formed in 1985 in Phoenix, Arizona, by guitarist Jorge DeSaint, drummer Gary Huckaby, and bassist Todd Chase. After drummer Gary Huckaby left the group in 1985 to work with another local project, the band enlisted drummer Michael Lean and vocalist Terry Fox, who left the band shortly afterwards to pursue an ice skating career. With replacement vocalist Jim Gillette, the band recorded a four-track EP entitled Knock Yourself Out (1986). However, Gillette soon departed to form Nitro and was replaced by Stevie Rachelle.
The band with its classic line-up consisted of Stevie Rachelle on vocals, Jorge DeSaint on guitars, Todd Chase on bass and drummer Michael "Lean" Raimondo. The band played all over the West Coast and eventually was doing cross country tours headlining clubs. Yet had no record deal. After becoming the biggest unsigned band in the world (In their own opinion) , after years of hard work, it finally paid off.
Tuff was first signed in 1990 by Atlantic Records and released their debut album What Comes Around Goes Around in May 1991, which included the band's successful power ballad "I Hate Kissing You Goodbye" co-written with Todd Meagher. The video reached #3 on Dial MTV behind Guns N' Roses & Metallica. In 1994, Tuff independently released Fist First which was eventually reissued by another major label BMG as Religious Fix, in 1995 with the addition of three bonus tracks.
The band was then picked up by IRS Grand Slamm Records in early 1993. The label folded in less than a year with the end of the mother label, IRS Records, which distributed Grand Slamm, and Tuff was without a label again.
After struggling with record labels for years, Stevie Rachelle decided to form his own label for the band and in early 1994, Rachelle officially started RLS Records. The initials had a dual meaning. The first was "Record Labels Suck" & the second was "Rachelle's Lyrics & Songs". The offshoot, Cheezee Records, was formed in 1996 to be the home for the singer's side project, Cheeseheads With Attitude.
Tuff again signed with a record label in early 1995 when BMG/Mausoleum/MMS records picked up the RLS Fist First release after it sold upwards of 10,000 copies. BMG re-issued it as Religious Fix in June 1995 with 3 bonus tracks. The additional tracks were produced by Randy Cantor.
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Wikipedia