It was really time to contact Stevie Rachelle and talk to him
about
the old days and the future of course...
Stevie, you played in these bands: X - ITER, TALON, TOMI GUNN,
TUFF, Stevie Rachelle Solo, C.W.A, TRAILER PARK POSSE...
Is there something missing?
"No thats all of them I think?"
And which band is your current one?
"My solo projekt and C.W.A. are still together."
Why did TUFF exactly split
up? What has happened that you
ended such a great band? You had success, o.k., not the
mega success worldwide, but it was o.k. I think... and
there are still alot of fans out there!
"Tuff broke up after 10 plus years just
because
it was time. Alot of things changed and we all moved on."
Is a TUFF reunion possible?
"No, not anytime soon."
What about the 34 never professionally recorded songs
and
covers, will these be on a compilation CD someday maybe?
"HMMMM, maybe?"
Is it true that the TUFF album "What comes.."
is a rare item now?
"Yes its out of print."
Is Rachelle your real name?
"No, sorry."
Are R.L.S., Big Cheese Rec. and Cheeze Records
your own record companies?
"R.L.S. & CHEEZEE RECORDS are my
companies."
In all the years of TUFF and later during your solo
career
you always worked in the music business (singing and producing)
and made films... was there ever a need to work a 9 to 5 job?
"Yes I've worked different jobs throughout my
wholelife. I still do."
You played small parts in series and movies.
Could you imagine to start a career as an actor, too?
"Not really."
What have you exactly done for the band THE MISTAKES?
"I produced and financed their debut
CD "ANGRY YOUTH"."
Have you only produced them or did you also sing and
play guitars?
"I sang some back up vocals too."
How do you judge the development of music over the
years...
the clubs in L.A. closed, the glam bands are gone, the grunge scene came in,
just a few real rock bands made it... what kind of feelings do you have now?
Do you think it's sadand you want the old days back?
"Old days are good days but they are also gone.
Future days will also be good but different for sure."
Are you still in contact with the guys of former bands
you played
with (VAIN, BRUNETTE,
PAIR-A-DICE, WARRANT, PRETTY BOY FLOYD,
ALLEYCAT SCRATCH, ANA BLACK,POISON... )?
"I see guys from bands all the time and
most of the time we say
hey shoot the shit and move on. I talked to Joey & Jani from WARRANT
in the last few months. Also talk toChristy from P.B.F. and one of the
guys from ANA BLACK"
Do you know that the Gioeli brothers have their own
company?
(Credit cards business in the internet)
"Yeah I know them but have not talked to them in
a while, I love Johnnys voice."
Are you still in contact with the old TUFF members?
"Yeah I talk to Michael & Todd
regularly."
Do you still live in California or have you moved
back to Oshkosh,Wisconsin?
"I live in CAL."
Have you already started to work on your next
solo-album?
"Writing yes and recording very
soon."
You also sing on two tribute CD's. When will they be
released and where?
"CHECK www.cleorecs.com."
Will the new solo-release be more of a band kinda
project?
"Yes I guess."
What's your fave music nowadays?
"All kinds."
You also sung on the SHAMELESS CD. How did you get in
contact with this German guy, did you get paid for your work there?
"He contacted me and yes I got paid go to."
Why have you cut your hair? (Did you want to leave the
old,
more glammy feeling behind and start with a new image?)
"Just a change, its actually getting a bit
longer again."
For how long are you doing these extreme sports?
" I started skateboarding when I was 8 years
old.
Snowboarding in the last few years."
Do you smoke?
"No."
When did you get the idea to start your solo thing
and when started C.W.A.?
"C.W.A. started in Sept.1996."
Who else is in C.W.A.?
"JAMIE "SUPER J" FONTE & MARK
"FOOLIO" STADLER."
Did the guys play in L.A. bands before?
"JAMIE did and Mark played in bands in
Milwaukee, WI.."
Tina Ehmke