ENUFF Z’NUFF line-up with… Tory Stoffregen, Chip Z’Nuff, Tony Fennel & Dan Hill.
Metal Sludge / October 23rd 2026 — As I write this I am sitting in the United Lounge at O’Hare Airport after returning from my 7th tour of Brazil… and with today’s coffee, I’d like to share a few thoughts.
First off, I will explain in detail why I’ve decided to write and publish this.
Then I will address the recipient of my ‘Open Letter’ – Tory Stoffregen directly.
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Let me start by saying that each and every person has a right to speak their mind, share opinions and dare I say let it all hang out… even if it might hurt some feelings.
After all, we’re all grown-ups… correct?
Of course we all realize that it’s not always going to be a clean sweep with others agreeing with our individual position on each and every subject that we choose to speak on… but such is life.
I also know that with your every action, there just might be a reaction… and today I am reacting to one of Tory Stoffregen’s recent blogs on Facebook.
For those who don’t know who Tory is, don’t worry, you’re not alone, so let me quickly set the table for you…
Tory Stoffregen is a guitarist from Iowa who has a limited list of valid credits in the music world outside of playing in Enuff Z’Nuff as a hired-gun for 16 years (2008/2024).
Outside of that, he’s played in or formed a handful of faceless local bands and side-projects that haven’t amounted to much.
But he’s still at it, so all my respect.
In short, 98% of the stages Tory has played on, tours he’s been associated with or countries stamped in his passport, all happened because of Enuff Z’Nuff.
More directly, this all happened for Tory because of Chip Z’Nuff, and today’s written drive-by is all the more ironic as I type here in this Chicago area airport.
Noting here, it would be unfair of me to not acknowledge the second most notable list of similar credits for Mr. Stoffregen… which were accumulated during his tenure as a roadie for Buckcherry.
All of the rest, are for the most part meaningless… but that’s just my opinion, which again, is always up for debate.
So, about a week ago a friend in the industry, who will remain nameless, sent me these screen shots (shared here) from Tory’s Facebook page.
My industry friend, from a known brand thought it was lame that Tory was posting this and attacking our friend, Chip Z’Nuff and I agreed.
Honestly, this post made my blood boil… it’s bad enough that you are posting this, but continue in the comments, even writing: “I’m remixing this album right now, without the backing tracks and crowd noise… stay tuned. It’s hilarious.”
Also, others have exchanged with me in private about this as well… but they have opted to play polite and hold their tongue.
But me… just like last week’s article where I spoke out on another ‘hired gun’ who was disrespectful upon his departure from another group… I won’t sit silent.
F#€k You Tory Stoffregen… along with your resting bitch face.
Again, there is always room for a debate… and with that sometimes comes a good old fashioned word-salad ass kicking.
And if I am being honest… I love me some salad, so here ya go.
Who is Tory Stoffregen and who is Chip Z’Nuff?
First off, Tory is a nobody arrogant prick who is bitter beyond words, and whether he’s a good or even great musician at this point is completely irrelevant.
You see, I know plenty of very talented guys, and the ones with the shittiest attitude, like Tory’s, are often finding themselves sitting at home talking shit on the Internet about everyone else… meaning, everyone else who is making or releasing content and touring to support their related brands.
What’s that?
I am calling the kettle black?
That this sounds rich coming from the guy who founded the Metal Sludge website?
Well guess what… I do both.
I’ve talked a lot – but I have walked even more… and I make money for talking my shit.
I also bring receipts and back it all up.
I’ve boasted this before and I will say it again… Chip Z’Nuff is the 80’s genre’s Lemmy Kilmister.
Chip is pure rock n’ roll… he lives it, he breaths it, and he’s been doing this for over 50 years!
Mr. Z’Nuff is no spring chicken and was already balls-deep into this music thing while Tory Stoffregen was still writing Kiss logos on folders while attending middle-school in rural Iowa.
You see I’ve been in this world myself for more than 40 years, and I too have seen some shit, done more shit and have never been afraid to voice my opinion… and occasionally I have ruffled some feathers along the way.
But I stand on all of it.
I don’t give a F#€k if you’ve sold Zero Records or 25 Million… but with Tory, it’s much closer to the first option.
ENUFF Z’NUFF lineup with… Randi Scott, Donnie Vie, Chip Z’Nuff & Tory Stoffregen
I recall being down under in Australia in early 2023 with a multi-band tour package which included Enuff Z’Nuff andTuff, along with Faster Pussycat, Wednesday 13 and others.
There were 4 shows in 4 cities, flights every day, van rides, busses and well over 100 pieces of luggage being handled daily by those involved.
The backstage area was cramped and all of us had to adjust, share what little space we had, and again many challenges were faced.
There were about a dozen bands each day at these mini-festival shows in clubs and it was a pretty rigorous run for sure… but, oddly with a touring group of close to 50 individuals it all seemed to work and everyone got along.
During the week I overheard Tory bitching, complaining and in general being a pretty miserable person more than once… at least from my perspective, but we can all be that way and it’s absolutely fair-play as we’ve all had similar days on the road.
So at some point when I found myself sitting down with Mr. Z’Nuff I stated in passing how I had over-heard Tory’s continued whining about this and that.
Just small talk, nothing too detailed… I just mentioned it during our brief hang.
Chip sat back and dragged off a spliff and honestly, there was no real reaction whatsoever… other than the following…
“Tory is lucky to be here” was his reply in a raspy Windy City accent.
Mr. Z’Nuff left it at that.
No diss, no scowl, no smile, no anger and not another word was said about Mr. Iowa and his apparent bitterness.
Chip and I have been brother’s from another since 1989… when Tuff first supported his hotshot 4-piece band out of Blue Island Illinois while touring in support of their debut on the West Coast.
My earliest recollections from interacting with Enuff Z’Nuff that day were as follows…
Derek was very nice and welcoming.
Vik was quiet and handsome as ever.
Donnie was a smug dismissive prick.
Chip was genuine, positive & friendly.
The above resonated exactly the same over the next several decades knowing this group of guys and our continued interactions.
Since that day, I have shared countless backstage conversations, phone calls, text exchanges and we have talked about everything from music, to sports and what Chip would define as trim.
In 37 years I have known this man, I have not one time heard Mr. Z’Nuff speak an ill word about anyone… not ever… including Mr. Iowa.
Make of all that what you will.
ENUFF Z’NUFF line-up with… Dan Hill, Alex Kane, Chip Z’Nuff & Tory Stoffregen
Let me add that we’ve all watched from the sidelines as various bands have argued, broke-up, reunited, dissed each other in the press and worse.
They’ve all fought…
Ratt, L.A. Guns, Skid Row, Van Halen, Megadeth, Quiet Riot, Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue and yes, Enuff Z’Nuff too.
Donnie Vie regardless of my opinion of him, he gets a pass when he calls out Chip or Vik, or has an opinion on EZN and their run in music.
He was there from the start, he’s part of that original group, he created that music with Chip and the original guys… so he absolutely carries the cache’ to spout off as he wishes.
Similarly, the same applies to all of those bands mentioned above and all of their respective original members
But you?
Tory Stoffregen?
In this setting… nope!
Your position here sucks… like Chip said to me in Australia… “You were lucky to be there.”
Without Chip, your career is >insert your no-name faceless local-band side-project here<
Lastly, I recall reading a few posts by you some years ago about being positive, wanting to rid your feed of the negative stuff… and I also recall a serious health scare or two as well.
I get it… our time as men over 50 have less sand left than we did yesterday… and I see you are grateful for much in many of your posts.
But choosing to sh!t on our friend, and someone who has given you so much, for close to 2 decades is weak Tory.
I recall you talking about changing your diet, being accountable in life and seemingly looking forward with a more positive attitude.
You also blocked me on all platforms…
I guess I rubbed you the wrong way at some point with something I published or was part of… no worries, I won’t be missing much being your friend anyway if that is how you treat someone who did all that for you, as your employer for 16 years.
You & I have stood in the same circle more than once, shared space on that tour and the Monsters of Rock Cruises…. and I could always sense I was never your favorite person in the room, even though we have had multiple mutual friends.
All good… you do you, I’ll do me.
Lastly, while none of your continued attacks on Chip or Enuff Z’nuff (you’ve been doing this for a while now) have ever involved me… I felt the need to call you out.
You’re out of line Tory… and I am not alone in my thoughts.
Chip Z’Nuff has earned and deserves respect!
And so here we are…
Have a nice day and thank you for reading.
Stevie Rachelle
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