PLEASE READ ... If you have a few minutes. Still living the dream.... At least part of the time!

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Hello everyone... writing from Peru!

Please read... if you have a few minutes.

Still living the dream....

At least part of the time!

And according to the calendar, the dream started March 8th 1984, at about 7:30pm (CST).

Next March 8th, I will be home 1 day from our 5th Monsters of Rock Cruise for TUFF, and on that Friday night. I will celebrate 40 years... since I said: "I am going to do that!"

That is the night I saw Motley Crue on their
Shout At The Devil tour, and about 30 seconds in, as the lights when down, and the stage filled with smoke and the P.A. blared... the words to that intro that we all have heard countless times..... everything changed... in an instant.

No joke.

I was determined from that second, and nothing, and nobody was going to stop me.

"I am going to do that..."

I didn't say, "I hope I can", or "I wish I could"

Nope... I said, "I am going to do that!"

"I am going to be a singer... I am going to be in a band."

"I am gong to get a record deal, go on tour, be in magazines, be on MTV, tour the world, and nobody will get in my way!"

That is exactly... what I said to myself, and have never wavered, not for 1 second since.

A few short months later, I saw Van Halen, on their 1984 tour... and thanks to David Lee Roth... he just reinforced 100 fold, what Vince Neil started for me.

Soon after, it was Ratt and Stephen Pearcy, and then Jaime St. James of Black N' Blue!

Those 4 guys, built me... in short, I stole from all of them, and tweaked the blue-print a bit...

Fun Fact: Michael Lean, he nicknamed me Stevie. from Steve... and Todd Chase told me my stage name of Lauxes (which is the word Sexual spelled backwards, lol) sucked... and I had to change it. Ha!

All true...

And Stevie Rachelle was born, the new lead singer for TUFF.

To say I am grateful and thankful is simply too underwhelming - as there are no true or complete words to express my gratitude for all that has been given to me.

And yes, I do understand, and most would agree, that I have also, worked (tirelessly) for all of this as well.

There has been much, give and take, and a commitment that has not always been easy to stick with... but I have done just that.

And today, I reap yet another set of rewards.

I am typing this as I sit a few hundred yards from this view, in a beautiful and amazing hotel, on the 10th floor, in an amazing King deluxe Hotel room that has housed me for the last week.

The people of Peru, Lima specifically, have given me so much in this short stay... and once again, I am left to wonder how I ended up here.

The list is long... but it starts with Paolo, The Barron Brothers (Xavier, Patricio, Rodrigo & Pachi), Jhovan, Brazo, Hans (my drummer), Ricky (my bassit), Erick (my guitarist), Max (the stage manager), the drivers, the doormen, the Bar and Backstage staff, the Hotel staff, the merchandise girl, the bootleggers, the fans who stood outside the Hotel (each day), the fans who came to show, those who bought merchandise, took picture, videos and more... I am beyond honored and grateful - to each and every one of you.

I wrote similar words earlier this year when I (TUFF) returned to play in Australia and again when I spent time in Thailand for the first time ever.

I am still digesting this past week, and my newest set of friends, whom most of I have only known for mere days... but... in reality, I feel like I have known them much longer... these men, these people, have went above and beyond... and treated all of us singers, like kings.

Myself, along with Milijenko from Steelheart and Ted from Danger Danger.

To be included, I am honored and cannot say enough good things... wow... I love you guys... you are too kind and I look forward to our friendship and the future.

The mere fact, that 3 guys in a dirty rehearsal room, in Canoga Park California on July 11th 1987 offered me the chance to sing in their silly Sunset Strip rock band... is the very reason, I am here today.

Michael Raimondo Todd Chaisson and Jorge DeSaint... thank you... so much... for all that you have afforded me in the last near 4 decades.

I am forever indebted to you.

I have more to say... in time.

I love you guys...

Stevie

Photo is here > https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=31 ... 6202905574

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading!

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

I guess this was worth reading to a few, and Olivier at Sleazeroxx even shared it...

Just trying to spread some love!

Thanks for your time!

> https://sleazeroxx.com/tuff-frontman-st ... -the-time/

$tEvil

[maninblack]

I just watched good guys wear black from back in the day. Theres some very good stuff on there. The guitarist is very good. Your singing on that song reminds me of Alice Coopers voice. I am thinking its strange why you didnt go really big. You definately had the talent on that video. The singer would give david coverdale a run for his money with the ladies.

[maninblack]

I should join Tuff on guitar and help write some hits.

[dmbrocker]

Proud of you and your accomplishments. Never stop rockin', CEO!

[maninblack]

I am UK and back in the day Tuff were never played on the radio. I hadnt heard of Tuff until I discovered the Sludge forum. Bands like Bon Jovi got lots of play. If you had been on the radio here in the UK you would have done OK here.

[LAglamrocker]

It’s fun to win everyday in life

Thanks for coming to Cadillac Club when Tuff ruled the world


Next bigtime win for me will be Bulletboys acoustic show at Whisky

[parasite74]

Ted Poley is so great in Tokyo Motor Fist!!!!! So many great songs!!!

[Black Stuff]

Ted Poley is so great in Tokyo Motor Fist!!!!! So many great songs!!!

and he's a great guy also!

[JizzySynatra]

Love it. Great post. Wishing you all the best this holiday season. Tell Ted to please get back in the studio. It's been too long. At least re-record or remaster "Rise" from Collateral Damage with better production

[aznsquirt]

That was very cool. Love it!

[mrsnikkisixx]

Awww. That was very sweet. It’s important to recognize those who have helped and supported you along the way.

[Kid-Wicked]

are you playing under the name tuff?
i would guess you are.
so do all of these scabs in all these foreign countries you play get added to the tuff bio as band members?

[Kerry67]

I remember being backstage at a Poison show sometime during the Open Up and Say Ahh tour at Alpine Valley and EVERYBODY backstage had TUFF shirts on. Before their album and I remember reading about them in mags as being the next big thing. To me, TUFF was better than Poison, Poison just got their first. I think if the album came out a couple years earlier, it would have been a different outcome....

[VinceVanLane]

Hello everyone... writing from Peru!

Please read... if you have a few minutes.

Still living the dream....

At least part of the time!

And according to the calendar, the dream started March 8th 1984, at about 7:30pm (CST).

Next March 8th, I will be home 1 day from our 5th Monsters of Rock Cruise for TUFF, and on that Friday night. I will celebrate 40 years... since I said: "I am going to do that!"

That is the night I saw Motley Crue on their
Shout At The Devil tour, and about 30 seconds in, as the lights when down, and the stage filled with smoke and the P.A. blared... the words to that intro that we all have heard countless times..... everything changed... in an instant.

No joke.

I was determined from that second, and nothing, and nobody was going to stop me.

"I am going to do that..."

I didn't say, "I hope I can", or "I wish I could"

Nope... I said, "I am going to do that!"

"I am going to be a singer... I am going to be in a band."

"I am gong to get a record deal, go on tour, be in magazines, be on MTV, tour the world, and nobody will get in my way!"

That is exactly... what I said to myself, and have never wavered, not for 1 second since.

A few short months later, I saw Van Halen, on their 1984 tour... and thanks to David Lee Roth... he just reinforced 100 fold, what Vince Neil started for me.

Soon after, it was Ratt and Stephen Pearcy, and then Jaime St. James of Black N' Blue!

Those 4 guys, built me... in short, I stole from all of them, and tweaked the blue-print a bit...

Fun Fact: Michael Lean, he nicknamed me Stevie. from Steve... and Todd Chase told me my stage name of Lauxes (which is the word Sexual spelled backwards, lol) sucked... and I had to change it. Ha!

All true...

And Stevie Rachelle was born, the new lead singer for TUFF.

To say I am grateful and thankful is simply too underwhelming - as there are no true or complete words to express my gratitude for all that has been given to me.

And yes, I do understand, and most would agree, that I have also, worked (tirelessly) for all of this as well.

There has been much, give and take, and a commitment that has not always been easy to stick with... but I have done just that.

And today, I reap yet another set of rewards.

I am typing this as I sit a few hundred yards from this view, in a beautiful and amazing hotel, on the 10th floor, in an amazing King deluxe Hotel room that has housed me for the last week.

The people of Peru, Lima specifically, have given me so much in this short stay... and once again, I am left to wonder how I ended up here.

The list is long... but it starts with Paolo, The Barron Brothers (Xavier, Patricio, Rodrigo & Pachi), Jhovan, Brazo, Hans (my drummer), Ricky (my bassit), Erick (my guitarist), Max (the stage manager), the drivers, the doormen, the Bar and Backstage staff, the Hotel staff, the merchandise girl, the bootleggers, the fans who stood outside the Hotel (each day), the fans who came to show, those who bought merchandise, took picture, videos and more... I am beyond honored and grateful - to each and every one of you.

I wrote similar words earlier this year when I (TUFF) returned to play in Australia and again when I spent time in Thailand for the first time ever.

I am still digesting this past week, and my newest set of friends, whom most of I have only known for mere days... but... in reality, I feel like I have known them much longer... these men, these people, have went above and beyond... and treated all of us singers, like kings.

Myself, along with Milijenko from Steelheart and Ted from Danger Danger.

To be included, I am honored and cannot say enough good things... wow... I love you guys... you are too kind and I look forward to our friendship and the future.

The mere fact, that 3 guys in a dirty rehearsal room, in Canoga Park California on July 11th 1987 offered me the chance to sing in their silly Sunset Strip rock band... is the very reason, I am here today.

Michael Raimondo Todd Chaisson and Jorge DeSaint... thank you... so much... for all that you have afforded me in the last near 4 decades.

I am forever indebted to you.

I have more to say... in time.

I love you guys...

Stevie

Photo is here > https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=31 ... 6202905574

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading!

$tEvil

That's awesome! Maybe tell the people in person instead of posting it on a message board that none of them will ever read.

[Wild Obsession]

Nice note/sentiment. And TUFF rules!!!!!

[rubysdad]

“The harder I work,
The luckier I get.”
Seems appropriate .
Well done.

[MetalSludgeCEO]

are you playing under the name tuff?
i would guess you are.
so do all of these scabs in all these foreign countries you play get added to the tuff bio as band members?

"""""""""""""are you playing under the name tuff?"""""""""""""""""

Nope. And never have. Unless it was TUFF.

My solo shows like this, are always billed as "Stevie Rachelle the Voice of Tuff"

Even on that backdrop image, it says "Stevie Rachelle the Voice of..." in a smaller case font, top left of the logo.


"""""""""""""i would guess you are."""""""""""""""

You guessed wrong.


""""""""""""""""so do all of these scabs in all these foreign countries you play get added to the tuff bio as band members?"""""""""""""

Not a single one of them has ever been added to any bio.

Also, to note... when I play with Shameless.. it's always been Shameless, and they add a "Featuring Stevie Rachelle of Tuff" to the flyer or promo.

When I sang for Tales From The Porn, it was their name... and similarly, a "Featuring" tag was added on the flyer or posters.

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

I just watched good guys wear black from back in the day. Theres some very good stuff on there. The guitarist is very good. Your singing on that song reminds me of Alice Coopers voice. I am thinking its strange why you didnt go really big. You definately had the talent on that video. The singer would give david coverdale a run for his money with the ladies.

"""""""""""""Your singing on that song reminds me of Alice Coopers voice.'""""""""""""""""""""

This has been mentioned many times... especially for those who listened beyond the single or a few of the more radio friendly tracks.

The harder edged stuff... has always been comparable to Alice... at least, I have heard that a ton!

If you want Alice Cooper... here ya go! My cover of "Eighteen" from about 10 years ago, it was recorded for the Shameless record "Beautiful Disaster"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4jsrmGu9Lg

Thanks for the kind words.

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Proud of you and your accomplishments. Never stop rockin', CEO!

Thanks Dad!

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

I am UK and back in the day Tuff were never played on the radio. I hadnt heard of Tuff until I discovered the Sludge forum. Bands like Bon Jovi got lots of play. If you had been on the radio here in the UK you would have done OK here.

Tuff were in Kerrang many times, Metal Forces too, receiving both praise and some hate the same.

We were also on MTV there for a bit, and were part of the American Dream concert series in Oct. 1991, playing a Sold-Out "Astoria Theatre" in London.

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

It’s fun to win everyday in life

Thanks for coming to Cadillac Club when Tuff ruled the world


Next bigtime win for me will be Bulletboys acoustic show at Whisky

You are welcome Glam King of So. Cal!

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Love it. Great post. Wishing you all the best this holiday season. Tell Ted to please get back in the studio. It's been too long. At least re-record or remaster "Rise" from Collateral Damage with better production

""""""""""""""Love it. Great post. Wishing you all the best this holiday season."""""""""""""""

Thank you and ditto to you!

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

I am UK and back in the day Tuff were never played on the radio. I hadnt heard of Tuff until I discovered the Sludge forum. Bands like Bon Jovi got lots of play. If you had been on the radio here in the UK you would have done OK here.

A few tidbits from your hood!

TUFF in Kerrang!

https://www.facebook.com/stevierachelle ... 6mk7iARjVl

More on going to the UK in 1991 in the TUFF DIARIES!

https://metalsludge.tv/tuff-diaries-16- ... OijWFnikZU

Stevie Rachelle of TUFF pin-up in KERRANG!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2357413 ... =permalink

Stevie in KERRANG being mistaken for BRET MICHAELS!

https://www.facebook.com/StevieRachelle ... 7251442753

More on going to London in the TUFF DIARIES!

https://metalsludge.tv/tuff-diaries-15- ... uPvBlXHUU0


$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

That was very cool. Love it!

Thanks for the props!

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Awww. That was very sweet. It’s important to recognize those who have helped and supported you along the way.

Thank you Mrs. Sixx, tell Nikki hello from me.

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

I remember being backstage at a Poison show sometime during the Open Up and Say Ahh tour at Alpine Valley and EVERYBODY backstage had TUFF shirts on. Before their album and I remember reading about them in mags as being the next big thing. To me, TUFF was better than Poison, Poison just got their first. I think if the album came out a couple years earlier, it would have been a different outcome....

""""""""""""""""" at Alpine Valley and EVERYBODY backstage had TUFF shirts on."""""""""""""""""""""

Right... of course, for those that do not know, this is in Wisconsin, about 100 miles from my hometown.

Also... I joined TUFF in the summer of 1987, and by the spring of 1988, we already flew home and did some shows in Wisconsin as well.

We were doing the work, hitting the ground, touring all over the West Coast and Midwest, years before our record came out.

$tEvil

[gtrjay]

Congrats $tevil!

Hopefully these shows / tours will land into some new road diaries in 2024!

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Hello everyone... writing from Peru!

Please read... if you have a few minutes.

Still living the dream....

At least part of the time!

And according to the calendar, the dream started March 8th 1984, at about 7:30pm (CST).

Next March 8th, I will be home 1 day from our 5th Monsters of Rock Cruise for TUFF, and on that Friday night. I will celebrate 40 years... since I said: "I am going to do that!"

That is the night I saw Motley Crue on their
Shout At The Devil tour, and about 30 seconds in, as the lights when down, and the stage filled with smoke and the P.A. blared... the words to that intro that we all have heard countless times..... everything changed... in an instant.

No joke.

I was determined from that second, and nothing, and nobody was going to stop me.

"I am going to do that..."

I didn't say, "I hope I can", or "I wish I could"

Nope... I said, "I am going to do that!"

"I am going to be a singer... I am going to be in a band."

"I am gong to get a record deal, go on tour, be in magazines, be on MTV, tour the world, and nobody will get in my way!"

That is exactly... what I said to myself, and have never wavered, not for 1 second since.

A few short months later, I saw Van Halen, on their 1984 tour... and thanks to David Lee Roth... he just reinforced 100 fold, what Vince Neil started for me.

Soon after, it was Ratt and Stephen Pearcy, and then Jaime St. James of Black N' Blue!

Those 4 guys, built me... in short, I stole from all of them, and tweaked the blue-print a bit...

Fun Fact: Michael Lean, he nicknamed me Stevie. from Steve... and Todd Chase told me my stage name of Lauxes (which is the word Sexual spelled backwards, lol) sucked... and I had to change it. Ha!

All true...

And Stevie Rachelle was born, the new lead singer for TUFF.

To say I am grateful and thankful is simply too underwhelming - as there are no true or complete words to express my gratitude for all that has been given to me.

And yes, I do understand, and most would agree, that I have also, worked (tirelessly) for all of this as well.

There has been much, give and take, and a commitment that has not always been easy to stick with... but I have done just that.

And today, I reap yet another set of rewards.

I am typing this as I sit a few hundred yards from this view, in a beautiful and amazing hotel, on the 10th floor, in an amazing King deluxe Hotel room that has housed me for the last week.

The people of Peru, Lima specifically, have given me so much in this short stay... and once again, I am left to wonder how I ended up here.

The list is long... but it starts with Paolo, The Barron Brothers (Xavier, Patricio, Rodrigo & Pachi), Jhovan, Brazo, Hans (my drummer), Ricky (my bassit), Erick (my guitarist), Max (the stage manager), the drivers, the doormen, the Bar and Backstage staff, the Hotel staff, the merchandise girl, the bootleggers, the fans who stood outside the Hotel (each day), the fans who came to show, those who bought merchandise, took picture, videos and more... I am beyond honored and grateful - to each and every one of you.

I wrote similar words earlier this year when I (TUFF) returned to play in Australia and again when I spent time in Thailand for the first time ever.

I am still digesting this past week, and my newest set of friends, whom most of I have only known for mere days... but... in reality, I feel like I have known them much longer... these men, these people, have went above and beyond... and treated all of us singers, like kings.

Myself, along with Milijenko from Steelheart and Ted from Danger Danger.

To be included, I am honored and cannot say enough good things... wow... I love you guys... you are too kind and I look forward to our friendship and the future.

The mere fact, that 3 guys in a dirty rehearsal room, in Canoga Park California on July 11th 1987 offered me the chance to sing in their silly Sunset Strip rock band... is the very reason, I am here today.

Michael Raimondo Todd Chaisson and Jorge DeSaint... thank you... so much... for all that you have afforded me in the last near 4 decades.

I am forever indebted to you.

I have more to say... in time.

I love you guys...

Stevie

Photo is here > https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=31 ... 6202905574

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading!

$tEvil

That's awesome! Maybe tell the people in person instead of posting it on a message board that none of them will ever read.

"""""""""""""""""Maybe tell the people in person instead of posting it on a message board that none of them will ever read.""""""""""""""""""

Thanks for the awesome advice... will you be my manager?

$tEvil

[MetalSludgeCEO]

Nice note/sentiment. And TUFF rules!!!!!

Thank you for the love!

$tEvil