THE RUFFIANS were founded by former ANGEL frontman Frank Dimino and ex UFO and MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP keyboard player Paul Raymond. Dimino's working relationship with Raymond transformed itself into THE RUFFIANS. Having originally worked with ex STRIKER guitarist Rick Ramirez the band drafted Jef Lubansky with whom Dimino had played with in a club band post ANGEL. Ramirez had opted to leave after getting a deal for his new band BRUZER.

The band's line-up was completed by bass player John Brant and one-time ARROWS drummer Paul Varley. However Brant quit to join CHEAP TRICK and had his place taken by ex ROD STEWART and JEFF BECK bassist Phil Chen.

Raymond quit to work with TERRY REID whilst Dimino soldiered on, working with producer Giorgio Moroder on a Pop Rock project, CYCLE V, recording tracks for the 'Flashdance' movie. One song, 'Seduce Me Tonight', appears on the soundtrack album.

Moving to Portland, Dimino put a new group, TERRIF together, featuring guitarist Joe Holmes (later to join LIZZY BORDEN, DAVID LEE ROTH and, more recently, OZZY OSBOURNE), bassist Emil Lech Brando and drummer Tom Cosmo. Demos were recorded before Dimino, frustrated at the lack of progress, moved back to Los Angeles. Lech promptly joined SOUND BARRIER before stints with JOSHUA and DRIVER.

Dimino and his former ANGEL colleagues Punky Meadows and Barry Brandt united again in late 1985 in an attempt to resurrect ANGEL.

Raymond put together his own PAUL RAYMOND PROJECT before forming part of the late 90's UFO reformation.