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TUFF L-R: Todd Chase, Michael Lean, Stevie Rachelle & Jorge DeSaint / Photo: Neil ‘ZLOZ’ Zlozower 1989
“It never felt like I left — more like I hit pause. Stepping back in now feels natural, powerful, and exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
— Michael Lean on his return to Tuff after more than 30 years
LOS ANGELES, California — It’s 2026 and Tuff fans will be excited to see the band is returning to the live stage after taking all of 2025 off.
A few select shows are already circulating on social media and they will include 3 of the 4 classic members performing with the group, something that hasn’t happened since 1993.
After more than 30 years away, classic era drummer Michael Lean will make his first full show appearances with the band in mid March in Ohio, then on the annual Monsters of Rock Cruise in addition to some West Coast dates this summer.
Lean joins frontman Stevie Rachelle and co-founder / bassist Todd ‘Chase’ Chaisson, along with Ohio native Billy Morris (lead guitar).
Lean stepped away from music in 1993 to focus on raising his son and starting a business which he launched as Old New York Deli & Bakery Co. in 1994.
The drummer turned bagel maker turned his idea into a 30 plus year franchise with locations in Camarillo, Mammoth Lakes and Woodland Hills.
Metal Sludge asked Lean about his return and he tells us the following: “It never felt like I left — more like I hit pause. Stepping back in now feels natural, powerful, and exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Lean will also step onto his first ever Monsters of Rock Cruise in April adding:“There’s no better place to light the fuse again than the Monsters of Rock Cruise — full circle, full volume.”
Rachelle will also appear in Green Bay, Wisconsin at “EPIC Event Center” on March 6th along with Cathouse co-founder and former MTV Headbanger’s Ball Veejay Riki Rachtman.
The pair will co-host an evening showing of The Decline of Western Civilization Part II – The Metal Years that will include an interactive Q&A with fans.
Rachelle will do an acoustic jam with local rockers Paul Hanna (Annex) and Brian Saunders (Brass Kitten) in addition to a free Meet & Greet with any and all fans who attend the Green Bay event.
In the way of music, later this year Tuff will release Tuff “American Hair Metal” which will be a reissue of the previously titled “The History of Tuff”.
The reissue will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their smash hit “American Hair Band” which first hit the airwaves in 2001.
RLS Records will issue “American Hair Metal” on CD, Vinyl and Digitally with a few variant options for the Vinyl.
Look for additional announcements from Tuff to appear at select club shows, events and festivals throughout 2026 and into 2027.
Appearances and live shows to date for Tuff in 2026 are as follows….
Stevie Rachelle the Voice of Tuff
Friday March 6th 2026 @ “EPIC Event Center” Green Bay, WI *w/ Riki Rachtman of Cathouse/MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball for a special showing of The Decline of Western Civilization Part II – The Metal Years.
TUFF with Stevie Rachelle, Todd Chase, Billy Morris and Michael Lean
Fri. Mar. 13th 2026 @ “KC’s Nashville Nights” Akron, OH *w/ Billy Morris’ Sunset Strip & PRISCILLA
Sat. Mar. 14th 2026 @ “Slim & Chubby’s” Strongsville, OH *w/ Billy Morris’ Sunset Strip & PRISCILLA
Stevie Rachelle the Voice of Tuff Tour Down Under *w/ Trixter & Lorraine Lewis
Thursday March 26th 2026 @ “Crowbar” Sydney, Australia
Friday March 27th 2026 @ “The Prince” Melbourne, Australia
Saturday March 28th 2026 @ “Crowbar” Brisbane, Australia
TUFF with Stevie Rachelle, Todd Chase, Billy Morris and Michael Lean
April 12th – 17th 2026 “The Monsters of Rock Cruise” *w/ 50 Bands and Artists!
*Aboard the Norwegian Joy Cruise-Ship – sailing from Miami to Puerto Plata Dominican Republic to Great Stirrup Cay, The Bahamas.
TUFF with Stevie Rachelle, Todd Chase, Dougie Manross and Michael Lean
July 23rd 2026 @ “Whisky” Hollywood, CA *w/ Foxy Roxx, American JetSet, Last Wish & RODG
July 24th 2026 @ “Grove Of Anaheim” Anaheim, CA * w/ Slaughter & Quiet Riot
July 25th 2026 @ “TBA” West Coast U.S.A.
Rachelle also has tentative plans to tour Europe with Shameless in the late summer along with select shows in Brazil in the fall.
Tuff @ WebSite – Facebook – eBay – Amazon – iTunes – Instagram – X – Store – Discogs – YouTube –
Stevie Rachelle @ Intsagram – Facebook – X – Metal Sludge – Donate – Store – Reverbnation –
Stay tuned to Metal Sludge for more Breaking News, Updates and Features along with both New Interviews and Classic 20 Questions
