TUFF: What comes around goes around... again!

An interview with Todd Chase

by Claudio Pucci

Today we talk to Todd Chase from Tuff: with an album being recorded and a tour (Europe included!) coming soon, there are plenty of reasons to be excited, for both the band and the fans… Let’s find out more about present, past and future from Mr Chase himself.

Hi Todd, it’s so nice to meet you! So how are you?

I am really great brother! Tuff is completing the “What Comes Around Goes Around – AGAIN” CD and I couldn’t be more excited!

There’s been a long silence from the Tuff camp before this album, can you tell us why?

If you are referring to why we have not released anything in a long time, the answer is simply life. Stevie and I are the chief members of the band. He has 2 awesome kids and Metal Sludge and I have a life in Ohio. We have been back together doing occasional shows for about three years now. We wanted to see if could still have fun playing music together before we got into the commitment of a new record. And we’re having a blast!

I still remember Tuff’s "golden era" and the first cd, I remember the ads on Circus magazine and the old demos…

Those days were great in so many ways! Lots of partying and girls! We certainly lived the life!

In the 80’s and early 90”s Hollywood was the place to be if you were in a band or loved lived music. Anybody could see their favorite “rock stars” on any given night. Hollywood today pales in comparison. It’s sad really!In that period Los Angeles was central to the rock scene, do you agree?

We are finishing work on “What Comes Around Goes Around – AGAIN!” What we have done is re-recorded 4 premium tracks from WCGA and 2 killer tracks that didn’t make the record for whatever reason. We have dropped down the tuning a full step to give it a heavier and fuller sound. There are several guest appearances by some of our favorite rock stars like, George Lynch, Jaime St. James, Steven Brown, Keri Kelli, Stephen Pearcy, Jeff Loomis, Lizzy Divine & Howie Simon! There will also be a number of other unreleased tracks and maybe some special treats for die hard fans. If this goes well, Stevie and I have discussed maybe doing another CD next year with all new music, but we’ll see.Now we hear news of a Tuff reunion, can you give us all the details?

Will it feature original members George DeSaint and Michael Lean as well?

Unfortunately no. I love those guys and wish them nothing but the best in life. But I doubt we will ever see a full TUFF reunion. Me and Mickeal are still good friends, in fact we hung out at NAMM and had a few beer together in January! I don’t know where Jorge is or what he is up to these days. I wish him well!

You have no idea how to get hold of them?

Fans can watch on Facebook or my space or twitter for them? I really don’t know.

What are you looking to achieve with this album?

We hope the re-recorded tracks are in your face and heavier than you remember TUFF being. We want to put the “Metal” back in “Hair Metal!” We also have a new image for this year, which is over the top crazy awesome!

The first album and Regurgitation are amongst your fans’ favourites and they also feature some demo songs…

Some of the demo songs will be on the new release.

Why do Tuff always have plenty of old songs in their live setlist? 

Maybe because was funny that period? The fans that see TUFF live today still want to hear their favorite songs from the earlier recordings, so we play those and try to do some modifications to them to keep them fresh. Next year we hope to start playing “NEW” songs.

Can you tell me why you left Tuff and what happened after that?

I left TUFF in 1991 for a few reasons. The main reason was in-fighting between the members. The band at that time was clearly divided and it had become no longer fun to be in the band. I have a rule, that when it’s no longer fun, I’m out! After TUFF I formed a hard core metal band called SubstAnce D and I LOVED that band and still do! I am dear friends with the members still today. The drummer T now plays with me in TUFF.

I loved your live video for All New Generation; who else played with you on that event?  And ‘I hate kissing you goodbye’ is very cool too! 

I don’t recall all of the bands that played that event in Phoenix where we filmed All New Generations. But my brother Greg’s band Badlands played and my whole family was there. One of my best days!

What’s your favorite song to play live?

That changes a lot, but today I would have to say What Comes Around Goes Around for TUFF.

How many bands are still friends with Tuff?

Ha ha ha! Good question! I really cant give a number, but I think Tuff is friends with many bands. We always try to be friendly. But Stevie runs Metal Sludge and that upset some bands to where they hate us. Fuck those pussies! I back Stevie 100% on and off stage. So all you haters can blow me! But if you look at the new recording we have several big name rock stars playing or singing on the songs. So clearly some bands still like us.

Do you think there’s any good band in Europe right now?

I’m sure that there are great bands in every corner of the world. Two of my favorite bands are Volbeat and Bullet for my Valentine. So yeah Europe has some great music!

What do you think about this new wave of hair metal bands trying to copy 1990?

I love it! Do what makes you happy and you’ll always BE HAPPY! And that’s really the key! If it’s not fun, it’s done!

You play on different projects, but when is Todd really having fun?

I am always having fun! I have TUFF, which I love! I also have a super fun rock and roll show band in Cleveland called “Dirty Little Rock Stars” which is a total blast! Other than that, I have a great time with my beautiful wife, Dana and our friends and family. Usually involves listening to cool music and drinking a lot of beers! We live in the Country in the middle of no where, which is how I like it when I am not touring with TUFF.

How does it feel knowing that there are still plenty of Tuff fans all over the world who haven’t forgotten you?

Shit brother, I am SOOOOOO flattered that we still have very loyal and dedicated fans! Our fans are amazing and if I ever see any of you, please do not hesitate to come and say hi. I love taking pictures and hanging with the fans. We really try to integrate ourselves in with the fans. That’s one of the best parts of being in TUFF!

Do you really have a strong friendship with Mr Rachelle or is it more a show for the fans?

Stevie is one of my best friends and that will always be the case. He is my brother in music and TUFF and I would not be same without him. He’s awesome!

Why didn’t the other members stick around?

People grow and change. Michael is very successful with his many restaurants and we really would like for him to come and play some songs with us this year. But that is totally up to him. Jorge had his reasons for leaving TUFF when he did, and I can’t really speak to that as I don’t those reasons. I wish him well.

How does it feel having your fans singing along to your songs at a live show?

We love our fans and it makes us very happy when they enjoy the live show.

I have many items from your old merchandise collections; can your fans still find any of the stuff with the old logo?

Fans can still get old TUFF merchandise and CD’s at www.tuffcds.com

Are you planning on touring Europe once this CD is out?

TUFF will be playing all over Europe this year, but I won’t be on that tour. It will be Stevie and T from TUFF pairing up with Shameless. That tour starts in March. Dates are posted on Stevie’s Facebook page.

Do you think there is still room in the US for Hair metal?

There is always room for good bands playing good music.

Can you tell me about the time the tour bus was set on fire?

I think it was 1990 or 1991 when our truck was stolen after a gig in Memphis TN. It was one of the worst days ever! We lost everything. Whatever they couldn’t carry, they burned. Scumbags!

Do you have a last message for your fans?

WE LOVE YOU ALL AND CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU ON TOUR! Please buy our new CD “What Comes Around Goes Around – AGAIN” available hopefully in March! Friend me at Todd Chaisson on Facebook! TUFF IS BACK!