Tough Enough

 

Out - Tough Enough [ILL 4612 UK 1984 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC]

Another old favourite single, finally gets cleaned up for a brand new rip, the first since 2011.

When highly regarded indie-funk band Stimulin split after extensive touring and a Peel Session, without actually releasing a record, front man Alix Sharkey continued in music as a writer and eventually co-editor of the influential I-D magazine. He also formed Out with producer Simon Boswell, releasing just the one single Tough Enough on Illuminated Records. The duo were also responsible for Tara Butler's infectious Up Against The Wall single for the same label. 

Success eluded the duo, possibly due to Illuminated Records limited promotional ability, however this fine electronic dance-pop single crossed over into London's gay club scene where the subject matter was a perfect fit.

If you know the fine Heavy Duty Breaks album, then this single formed the back beat to the key segments of that record. Sharkey went on to be news editor for MTV and a columnist for newspaper The Independent. He now lives in Los Angeles where he continues to write.

A1 Tough Enough

B1 Tough (Version)