STIFF (Pre-Lillian Axe) – Straight Up 1987 + ‘Stiff 2025’ [FnA Records remaster 2-CD] (2025)

Reissue label FnA Records has done it and dug out a gem from the ’80s with the release pre-Lillian Axe band STIFF 1987’s ”Straight Up” EP along with many demos from the era, and even some new material recorded 2025 (STIFF is back!) and everything is packaged into a double album.

The first disc is the remastered version of the 1987 mini-album ”Straight Up” plus 12 demo tracks with a much better sound quality than the copies circulating among fans. The second disc features “Stiff 2025“, 8 new tracks by the new version of STIFF 2025 including the super-catchy anthem ‘Cocktail Queen’.
STIFF was cooked up in the scorching heat of a Texas summer. Founded by Jon Ster (guitar, keyboards) and Rob Stratton (bass) – later members of LILLIAN AXE – plus vocalist Greg Peddie were coming up with a new plan. That plan became STIFF.

Stratton says: ” We knew what we wanted. Visual style. Dynamic rock. Original songs with smart lyrics. Stunner vocals that didn’t sound like every other band. Pummeling bass lines. A heavy dose of screaming guitar. A song list that would blow up the dance floor. We wanted a band that would generate the feel of a party – a big party – like a New Year’s Eve party – every night.”
STIFF’s catchy melodic hard rock songs earned them spots opening for Quiet Riot, UFO, Twisted Sister, Autograph, Zebra, Pantera, Dokken, and more.
“Every gig was a party, and we loved it. But partying 300 nights a year can take a toll and Greg decided to leave the band. We knew it would be challenging to replace his vocal talent and his unique look, but we found Ron Taylor (later Lillian Axe frontman), and he was a great fit. He had a powerful voice that matched his commanding stage presence, and the girls went crazy for him – so he fit right in with the rest of us” completes Stratton.
With Ron Taylor on lead vocals STIFF recorded ”Straight Up” in 1987, as well as many unreleased songs, now included here.

Stratton continues: ”Stiff was Greg Peddie leading vocals with his singular style, the awesomely talented Jon Ster on guitar and backing vocals, guitar prodigy Brad Allen, the ever entertaining to watch Holmes on drums, and me (Rob Stratton) on bass, backup vocals, and general stage revelry.’
With the band established, we were ready to start the party, and we sure as shit did. We signed with American Bands Management and began touring. We toured every state in the continental United States except for one over the years. We played awesome venues!!!” states Rob Stratton.

Not to brag, but Stiff was described as “the hottest act in the Southwest” delivering a “high-energy good time” with our “melodic rock.” The crowded houses we played every night seemed to support those accolades. We were so in demand, we were booked 300 nights a year.
Then Greg got exhausted. Vocalist Ron Taylor replaced him and become bigger and bigger, openin gfor the great aforementioned bands. Stiff also opened for Cheap Trick on New Year’s Eve in Beaumont, Texas. Now that was a great way to ring in a new year.

Things were going great. But sometimes, an opportunity for something that might be even better comes along. And that’s what happened to Stiff.
Stratton; “Ron, Jon, and I joined a band called Lillian Axe that was poised for a big breakthrough. We played some major shows and had two music videos that featured regularly on MTV back in the day. But that’s another story”.

So Rob Stratton put Stiff back together in 2021 with the very first original singer Greg Peddie, and then added guitarist John Schneider, the other guitarist Mr. Hess, and drummer Joe McMillan.
They recorded an 8 song album in 2024 and are releasing it as part of a 2-disc set along with 17 tracks from the Ron Taylor led version of Stiff, which includes their 5 song 1987 EP entitled ‘Straight Up’.

According to Rob Stratton in regards to the mid-80’s pre-Lillian Axe band STIFF, “the best part is, it ain’t over yet. Stiff is still rocking. We’re still playing live and writing and recording the hard-driving, fist pumping songs that kept you partying and dancing all night.
It didn’t take long for Stiff to pack the house and the dance floor once again. Then I got the call from FnA Records. And here we are with a new double album.
Stiff was the party, Lillian Axe was the dream!”

 

CD 1 – ‘Straight Up’ + Unreleased Demos (remastered):
01. Dancer
02. Memory of Me
03. So Far Away
04. You’re Gonna Lose That Girl Tonight
05. My Number
06. Conversation Piece (Demo)
07. Why’d You Lie (Demo)
08. Just One Beat (Demo)
09. Don’t Let It Fade (Demo)
10. Playing Games (Demo)
11. Igniter (Demo)
12. Madam X (Demo)
13. Crazy Ladies (Demo)
14. She Loves (Demo)
15. Dancer (Demo)
16. Memory of Me (Demo)
17. So Far Away (Demo)

 

CD 2 – Stiff 2025
01. Cocktail Queen
02. Conversation Piece
03. Madison
04. When Somebody Comes
05. She’s My Girl
06. Mrs. America
07. My Number
08. Dear Jon

Ron Taylor – Vocals
Jon Ster – Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Mikel Scott – Guitar, Vocals
Robert Stratton – Bass, Vocals
Kenny Sizelove – Drums, Vocals
Greg Peddie – Vocals
John Schneider – Guitar
Mr. Hess – Guitar
Joe McMillan – Drums