Mysteriously, despite launching themselves with strategic precision and qualifying fully on all fronts for hair band stardom, the Stevie Rachelle led TUFF failed to achive the success many predicted for them. Initially formed in Phoenix, Arizona during 1985, TUFF's first line-up consisted of vocalist Terry Foxx, guitarist Jorge De Saint, bassist Todd Chase (neé Chaisson, brother of KEEL's Kenny Chaisson and BADLANDS and STEELER man Greg Chaisson) and drummer Michael 'Lean' Raimondo. The group's overtly Glam 3 track demo tape surfaced in 1986 (consisting of 'Party Tonight', 'Feel My Heartbreak' and 'Glamour Girls') before Foxx, relinquishing his Rock n' Roll dreams for an ambition as a professional ice skating career, was succeeded by new vocalist Jim Gillette, then known as Jim L'Amour, of SLUT repute.

Gillette too would record a demo with the group (featuring the tracks 'Bang Bang', 'Forever Yours', 'Glamour Girls', 'Candy Coated' and 'Dressed For Dancin'' ) before he departed, to form NITRO, and was eventually replaced by STEVIE RACHELLE (a.k.a. Steven Howard Hanseter), a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Rachelle was then going by the pseudonym Stevie Lauxes (spell it backwards...) and had paid his dues with local acts TALON and X-ITER. Having relocated to Los Angeles on the advice of POISON, who TUFF had recently played with in Phoenix, the new look four-piece began to draw huge crowds to their shows, their campaign commencing in August of 1987 with a support to WARRANT at the Roxy Theater. Record company interest was initially slow despite a string of sold out club dates, the band was a regular fixture at the Country Club in Reseda and put in three extensive Mid-West and West Coast tours, and the band became self sufficient through a healthy merchandising business.

Having hooked up with BRITNY FOX manager Brian Kushner's Powerstar stable, 'Hit Parader' editor Andy Secher eventually signed TUFF to his Atlantic Records affiliated Titanium label in 1990. The resulting 'What Comes Around Goes Around' album was produced by Howard Benson and included the BRET MICHAELS co-penned 'Wake Me Up'. Frankie Muriel of KING OF THE HILL made a guest appearance on backing vocals. Detractors found the band's proximity to POISON in the image stakes a little too close for comfort but fans of the genre lapped it up, reveling in the band's good time attitude, the radio friendly power ballad 'I Hate Kissing You Goodbye' and even an unexpected foray into Funk with 'Ruck A Pit Bridge'. Upon the album's release TUFF visited Britain for a one-off show at the Astoria in London as part of the 'American Dream' series of concerts.

Returning to North America, TUFF eventually lost their deal after Titanium folded. Todd Chase and Michael Lean decided to depart, the latter to spend more time with his son and concentrate on running his coffee and bagel shop / tanning bed business. Whilst the drumming vacancy was filled by Jimi Lord and Chase's place taken by Danny Wilder, the latter quit the group to team up with ex-MȪTLEY CRÜE backing vocalist Emi Canyn's group ALICE IN THUNDERLAND. Todd Chase was originally contacted to see if he was interested in a return. He wasn't, so ex-SYNADIDE KICK bassist Jamie Fonte signed up.

A second album, 'Fist First', basically a collection of demos, was released in 1994. The album was to surface in Europe through the Belgian imprint Mausoleum under a different title ('Religious Fix'). The band's third offering was recorded for release through Grand Slamm Records. Unfortunately, the label folded before TUFF could even think about getting the opus to the stores. Briefly, between October and November 1995, TUFF employed the L.A. GUNS credited Adam Hamilton on drums.

With no new deal forthcoming the group disbanded and Stevie relocated back to the Mid-West and scored a surprise hit at home in Wisconsin with a Rap tribute to the Green Bay Packers NFL team. In partnership with fellow TUFF bandmate Jaime Fonte and Milwaukee based muso Mark Stadler, Rachelle began recording parodies of songs by BECK, BEASTIE BOYS, L.L. COOL J. and TONE LOC with lyrics inspired by the Green Bay Packers. The trio took on the identities of St. Evie, Super J. and Foolio and adopted the group name C.W.A. ("CHEESEHEADS WITH ATTITUDE") and recorded a six song EP entitled 'Straight Outta Wisconsin'. The CD quickly sold out of its initial run of 2'000 in Wisconsin within 10 days and Stevie, who self financed the record himself, promptly had 5'000 more pressed up to satisfy demand.

As a second C.W.A. CD, 'Cheeseheads For Life', was set to be released in late 1997 alongside a video titled 'Straight Outta Titletown'.

Rachelle was to begin work on his acoustic based solo project, originally reported to have roped in pals like ex-WILDSIDE guitarist Brent Woods and ex-SISTER WHISKEY man Rich Florio. Rachelle also produced the 'Angry Youth' album from Punk Rock outfit THE MISTAKES.

A TUFF bootleg album, the 18 track deep 'Regurgitation', appeared in late 1997. Of Portugese origin, this is generally considered to be an official release based on the fact that Stevie Rachelle was selling them through his fan club!

Rachelle's solo album, 'Who Am I', appeared in April 1998 and included a reworking of the TUFF track 'So Many Seasons'. Todd Chase (now using his real name of Chaisson) turned up in 1999 as part of SUBSTANCE D on their 'Addictions' album.

For the millennium the band became known as TUFF 2000 with new guitarist Darrell Roberts, previously with TRUTH OR DARE. The guitarist was also a member of one of the prime METALLICA tribute bands ALCOHOLICA as well as biding time with Blues band SNAGGLETOOTH. Bass was now in the hands of ex-BRASS KITTEN and GIVE man Brian Saunders. Rachelle also tried out for the vocal position in RATT but this union never transpired. Rachelle appeared as part of THE SHAMELESS and toured Europe in 2000 fronting the band.

Quite remarkably the summer of 2001 saw TUFF with a bona fide American radio hit with 'American Hairband', a perfectly targeted rip on KID ROCK's 'American Bad Ass' extolling the merits of 80's Rock. The accompanying album 'History Of Tuff' was launched with a debut party gig at Paladinos in Tarzana, CA. However, it was not all good as Roberts was announced as replacement for Chris Holmes in W.A.S.P. His tenure was brief and within days he was back in the TUFF ranks.

The saga did not end there though as a projected TUFF gig was pulled at the last minute when Roberts apparently was recalled to W.A.S.P. Scheduled TUFF gigs would be fulfilled with the welcome surprise of MȪTLEY CRÜE, UNION and RATT man John Corabi filling in on guitar.

By August TUFF's ranks had been brought back up to strength with guitarists Todd 'T' Burr of SUBSTANCE D and Michael Thomas from ENGINES OF AGRESSION for live work in alliance with JACKYL, BULLETBOYS and GILBY CLARKE. The band line-up would not stay the course though as erstwhile bassist Jamie Fonte would be re-enlisted as Brian Saunders decamped to join HAIR OF THE DOG as rhythm guitarist. By February of 2002 Thomas too had made his exit to join BEAUTIFUL CREATURES. TUFF filled the gap with speed, surprising fans by announcing the re-instatement of original guitarist Jorge De Saint. Meantime Stevie Rachelle would put in a further tribute album appearance, fronting up a version of 'You're Crazy' on an April Deadline Records GUNS N' ROSES collection.

A surprise announcement was delivered in the summer that TUFF, supported by SHAMELESS, were to tour the UK during October, their first British gigs in over a decade. Rachelle had reprised his role on former SHAMELESS records by contributing lead vocals to two tracks on the new record 'Splashed'. Oddly, TUFF members also hit the American club scene as an 80s Metal tribute band dubbed MOTLEY PRIEST. TUFF themselves would have a new recording, of 'Jingle Bell Rock', included on the seasonal 'Hairy Christmas' compilation.

March of 2004 witnessed a whole slew of TUFF DVD releases including 'What Comes Around Goes Around - The Videos', 'Religious Fix - The Making Of...', 'Decade Of Distant Memories 85-95' and 'Rock n' Rarities'. In May ex-TUFF guitarist Michael Thomas joined ADLER'S APPETITE, the band founded by ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler.

In August 2004 Stevie Rachelle revealed that he was the owner and mastermind of the notorious, and hugely successful, 'Metal Sludge' website. Reports in April 2005 sadly detailed the death of former TUFF bassist Danny Wilder. Apparently the musician had only just completed a drug rehabilitation treatment but died from a suspected heroin overdose.

TUFF headlined the fifth annual 'Crüefest' held in July at the Whisky à Go-Go in Hollywood. On the management front, Rachelle took over duties on demos for Swedish Sleazters VAINS OF JENNA.

Darrell Roberts took his leave from W.A.S.P. in 2006, subsequently joining FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH. In October Stevie Rachelle vocalised on a cover version of the JOURNEY classic 'Lights' featured on the Cleopatra Records homage collection '80s Metal Tribute To Journey'.

The band toured across Europe throughout April and May 2007 alongside SHAMELESS and PRETTY BOY FLOYD.