“When I joined the band in the summer of 1987, I was 21, and the only one even old enough to drink… but oddly, I was the only one who didn’t drink.”
— Stevie Rachelle / TUFF

THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY — Today I have decided to celebrate the Anniversary of our major label debut from TUFF.

Today is May 14th and today is also the date, that back in 1991, a group of 4 knucklehead rockers saw years of hard work and dedication pay off.

On this date 34 years ago, every Sam Goody, every Musicland, every Tower Records location, every Music Plus and countless Mom & Pop’s Records Stores around the world, stocked TUFF “What Comes Around Goes Around” in their miscellaneous ‘T‘ bin!

I can’t tell you how thrilled the 4 of us were… it was a monumental moment in time for us.

And sure… some of you reading this might want to say this sounds goofy… but hey, it’s not your story… it’s mine… it’s ours, and I am proud to tell it.

I would also like to share a little ‘Hate Mail’ history from the band’s P.O. Box.

With that… I will end here, and let you read my letter below.

Thank you for reading…

Thank you Kevin Laffey… you are part of the reason I am still here. >May 14th 2025

Happy Anniversary to our Atlantic Records debut TUFF “What Comes Around Goes Around”.

It was 34 years ago today; on May 14th 1991 that a dream came true for our band, crew, friends and family… along with all of those fans and believers who stood behind us for years.

I, along with Todd, Jorge and Michael accomplished the equivalent of being drafted by a Major League Sports Team.

Getting a major label record contract at that time was literally a 1 in a million shot…

But somehow, each of us who started out as a younger man – survived the ultimate rock n’ roll boot camp – and not only signed that major label deal, but found our band featured in every rock magazine on the planet, garnered radio play, we had prime time Dial MTV spins and we tour bussed our way across the U.S. playing more shows than we could count.

At the time we got signed, I was 24 years old.., and I was the oldest member of the group, but… truth be told, our leader was Michael, who in fact was the youngest at 22.

When I joined the band in the summer of 1987, I was 21, and the only one even old enough to drink… but oddly, I was the only one who didn’t drink.

Todd and Jorge were 20 and Michael was 19… we were kids.

It boggles my mind looking back and thinking what we all set out to do, with no real formal training, or much guidance beyond our shear tenacity, grit and balls.

Crazier to think, we were already touring the U.S. in a tour bus, doing shows all over the country years earlier throughout 1988, 1989 and 1990… without a record deal or any real industry support.

And we did it the old fashioned way… gorilla style marketing on the streets of Hollywood and shoving our band’s name into anyone’s face who would listen… and if they didn’t… we shoved it some more.

We literally threw caution to the wind and ultimately heaved everything against the wall, hoping it would stick.

We were young enough and dare I say dumb enough, to not take no for an answer and did not give up regardless of who said what.

We were ALL – all in – with no backup plan, no big money investors, and at the time, every label and every industry big wig for what it’s worth, told us we sucked.

However, at the time, perhaps it was our naiveté that helped us be unphased by those comments, and for every Hater, we had 50 fans who loved us.

And we had a lot of Haters, but many more believers.

Sure, it’s the same story many of the world’s biggest bands have told you – “Every Record Label passed”, and how everyone from the local critics, to managers, producers and A&R representatives all said pretty much the same thing; “Sorry, we’re not interested”, but it was not always as proper or fair as those words read today.

That stuff in the end, made me, and I feel I can speak for all of us – when I say “It made all us stronger.”

Our first show together was in August of 1987, at The Roxy in Hollywood.

We opened for Warrant, playing the 2nd slot out of a 5 band bill… yes we sold tickets too (pay to play) but… we made use of that 45 minutes and definitely left an impression.

What’s crazy is that less than 1 month later, the band was already receiving Hate Mail in our P.O. Box.

The attached letter was hand written, on Warner Brothers Records stationary, and signed by A&R scout Kevin Laffey.

I don’t ever recall meeting Kevin Laffey, in any context, but… whatever we did, it affected him enough to send this letter to a group of young guys (kids) who had just started their journey together.

I still have the letter (framed) and the post marked Warner Bros. envelope.

I recently Googled Kevin’s name and there it is, with his resume’ boasting of his years as an A&R representative at Warner Brothers among other industry jobs over his life.

What did we ever do to Kevin, to make him write and send us such a hateful letter? Who knows…

Today I would like to say ‘Thank You’ to Kevin Laffey, and everyone else who ever supported us, or threw dirt on us. All of your output whether it was Positive, Negative or Constructive in any form – it all collectively helped shape me.

I am now 59 years of age, with 2 adult children – both of whom are students at U.C. Berkeley California.

I guess it’s safe to say, they are for sure, 2 of my biggest success stories, and I am thrilled that they have Zero interest in this brutally ugly and unforgiving entertainment world.

Also I will add here, is that I have never stopped doing this job, chasing this… whatever it is… and sure, there have been days I have looked in the mirror and wondered… where did all those years go?

While I have pivoted a bit to Produce, to Manage, to start my own Indy label (RLS Records in 1994) and launched a website (Metal Sludge in 1998 – well before most knew the internet even existed)… this mostly thankless and cruel industry has definitely kept me busy for 40 years and counting.

In the end, I will be honest.., I have felt the weight of the world at times, and questioned myself, “Why have I given so much to this…”

I guess the answer is simple… as I said earlier, there was NO back-up plan. Ever!

In closing… I ran into an old friend a few years ago, his name is Del James… we had a short chat and he shook my hand and said these words to me; “You’re a survivor”… he was right.

I am still here and have no plans of going away!

Thank you for reading…

Stevie Rachelle

Happy Anniversary to TUFF on the Anniversary of our Atlantic Records debut… and congrats to Michael, Todd and Jorge!

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