By: Maria Allard | Metro | Published March 22, 2023
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP — Many Enuff Z’Nuff fans believe the rock band has always been underrated.
When searching their songs on YouTube or reading critic reviews, some commentators feel the band members didn’t receive the recognition they deserved for their sound and songwriting.
But bassist and lead singer Chip Z’Nuff isn’t too worried about that.
“We’re an underground band. It’s more important to make people happy with your music than to make money,” he said. “I am grateful there’s a crowd out there to see us. It’s a blessing from above. We’ve got some pretty good stuff that I’d like to be known for. You still gotta work and give a great show.”
As a teenager, Chip and musician Donnie Vie formed Enuff Z’Nuff in 1984 in the Chicago suburb where they lived. The band created plenty of music in nearly 40 years and also withstood many lineup changes, including the eventual departure of Vie.
Currently on tour, Enuff Z’Nuff will rock the house March 31 at the Diesel Concert Venue, 33151 23 Mile Road. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the all-ages concert, which will feature special guest Heat Above. For tickets, visit dieselconcerts.com. Chip — the group’s heart and soul — will bring his musical chops to the stage with guitarists Tory Stoffregen and Jason Camino, and drummer Dan Hill.
“We’re going to let the music do the talking. We’ll celebrate the old days; we’ll celebrate the new,” Chip promised. “I still feel like there is more gas in the tank. I’m not stopping. We’re still moving ahead.”
With a visible Beatles influence, Enuff Z’Nuff released its self-titled debut album in 1989 at the height of hair band mania. Videos for “Fly High Michelle” and “New Thing” rotated on MTV, and the band even appeared on “Late Night with David Letterman.” The second album “Strength” was released in 1991 with the songs “Baby Loves You” and “Mother’s Eyes” attracting new followers.
At the time, the foursome played two shows within a couple years of each other at the now-closed Ritz nightclub in Roseville. Not long after, Seattle’s grunge movement — with its Dr. Martens boots — stomped all over hair metal, which took a back seat to bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
“You could tell there was a changing of the guard,” Chip remembered. “The colorful, flamboyant, cool rock thing was pushed to the side.”
Looking back, Chip wondered why both music genres didn’t coexist.
“I have nothing bad to say about those bands,” Chip said. “We could have kept it all going.”
‘They are always great live, fun to watch and tight as musicians’
Enuff Z’Nuff soldiered on, releasing more albums and touring with REO Speedwagon, Ace Frehley, Poison, Cheap Trick and Alice Cooper. Last fall, their music took them to the U.K., the Netherlands and Spain with Skid Row.
“They’re starving for rock ‘n’ roll in Spain and England,” Chip said.
Part of that has to do with the COVID-19 lockdowns, which Chip believes made people realize “how important it is for all of us to celebrate music.”
Chip has saturated himself in rock ‘n’ roll since he began attending concerts as a young child. For starters, the experience of seeing Queen, Kansas and Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush for $5 at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago in 1975 is a rock-solid memory.
“Brian May’s guitar riffs and Freddie Mercury’s lyrics, it was fantastic,” said Chip, whose birth name is Gregory Rybarski. “Frank Marino came out for an encore and did ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’”
The night didn’t end there.
“I remember going into the alleyway after the show. I guess it was a Town Car back there,” Chip said. “Brian May, we all waved to him, and he waved to everyone. Freddie Mercury came out and gave the peace sign. Radio really embraced Queen and they really took off. Radio broke Queen and made them (a) household name.”
Nowadays, it’s much harder to get a hit song via radio airplay.
“Now it’s movies, commercials and TV shows,” Chip said. “It’s a tough business. Bands like Dirty Honey, Rival Sons, the Struts, Greta Van Fleet, they’re good bands and they’re carrying the flag. They’re working really hard, and I’m rooting for them that they do very well.”
Enuff Z’Nuff’s most recent album, “Finer Than Sin,” was released in 2022. As a bonus, Chip is one of several rock ‘n’ rollers that recorded duets with veteran actress Ann-Margret for her new album, “Born To Be Wild,” set for release April 14. While she and Chip recorded the classic “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” at separate times, he finally met the screen icon at a listening party.
“She’s so beautiful,” Chip said. “I think we took a nice approach on (the song.) It was an honor to do it.”
In the meantime, music lovers can check out Chip’s Monsters of Rock radio show on Dash Radio at dashradio.com/monstersofrock.
Local music promoter Howie Herula, of Warren, plans to catch Enuff Z’Nuff’s show March 31. He’s been a fan since the first album.
“My favorite album is definitely the debut, self-titled album, with ‘Strength’ a close second,” Herula said. “I also love the album of Beatles/Beatles members songs that they recently put out, ‘Hardrock Nite.’ They are always great live, fun to watch and tight as musicians.”
Herula has personally known Chip for about 10 years. He’s even worked at the band’s merchandise table in the past.
“Chip is such a great guy. He loves and appreciates his fans and the friends he’s met and made over the years. He will always take the time to hang out for a bit or at least say ‘hello’ and take a picture whenever it’s possible,” Herula said. “He truly loves playing music and being a part of this whole crazy rock ‘n’ roll thing. Great musician that loves so many different styles of music and has done so much in the music industry other than with Enuff Z’Nuff.”