Roxus

Roxus were an Australian hard rock band which existed between 1987 and 1993. Members included Juno Roxas - lead vocals, Dragan Stanić - guitar, Darren Danielson - drums, John 'Stones' Nixon - bass guitar and Andy Shanahan - keyboards. Their debut album, Nightstreet was released in August 1991 and peaked at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Their most successful single, "Where Are You Now?", reached No. 13 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified gold.[2]

Roxus
Roxus - Australian AOR
Background information
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
GenresHard rock[1]
Years active1987 (1987)–1993 (1993)
LabelsMelodian, Mushroom, Savage Records
Past membersJuno Roxas
Dragan Stanić
John 'Stones' Nixon
Joseph 'Joe Cool' La Ferlita
Andy Shanahan
Darren Danielson
Craig Harnath

History

Roxus formed as Bah Ragah in 1987 in the Melbourne south-eastern suburb of Springvale with Joseph La Ferlita (Joe Cool) on guitar; Darren Danielson (ex-Windsor Jamm) on drums; John 'Stones' Nixon (Windsor Jamm) on bass guitar; Juno Roxas on lead vocals (Party Pies); and Andy Shanahan on keyboards.[3] Roxus gained a considerable live following.[3] Australian rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, found the group played a "blend of tuneful, Van Halenesque hard rock and Living Colour-inspired funk around the Melbourne pub circuit ... [with their] carefully cultivated image of black leather, ripped jeans, cowboy boots, bandannas and big hair".[3] In 1989 Roxus supported international bands, Poison and Bon Jovi, on their respective Australian tours.[3][1] Also that year Dragan Stanić replaced Joe Cool on guitar. The band came to the attention of music commentator and promoter, Ian (Molly) Meldrum, who signed them to his Melodian label via Mushroom Records.[3] The group issued two singles in 1989, "Stand Back" in July and "Body Heat" in November.[4] In 1990, they released a live EP, including live versions of the tracks "Stand Back" and "Body Heat".[3][1]

In April 1991 Roxus supported US band, Warrant, on their Australian tour.[3] In September that year their debut album, Nightstreet, was released,[3][1] which reached No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[5] In July they issued their most successful single, "Where Are You Now?", which is a power ballad that received considerable radio airplay and peaked at No. 13 on the ARIA Singles Chart and No. 11 on the AMR Singles Chart.[5][6] In August, they followed up with "Bad Boys", which reached No. 39 on the ARIA chart,[5] "Jimi G" was released in September.

In 1992, American AOR veteran Jeff Paris was hired to produce what was to be Roxus' second album. Recorded at Platinum recorders in Melbourne, the sessions yielded four tracks; "Invisible Man", "What You Don't Know", "Stop Playin' With My Heart" and "All The Way".

Roxas and Stanic returned to Los Angeles with Paris, to mix the four completed songs. The album however, was never completed and on New Year's Eve, 1992, Roxus played their last show before disbanding early in 1993.

Afterwards

After Roxus had disbanded, Juno Roxas went solo and recorded the album, Far From Here, on Melodian in 1994.[3] He has worked as a musician and producer in both Los Angeles and Melbourne.[4] Stanić continued playing locally in a range of projects including De-Arrow, Among Thieves and Kream.[4] By March 1993 Danielson and Nixon had joined Melbourne rockers, Chocolate Starfish.[7] Shanahan became a lecturer at RMIT University in Sound Production.[4]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Details Peak chart positions Certification
AUS
[8]
Nightstreet 5

Extended plays
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[10]
Live! 33

Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Certification Album
AUS
[11][12]
1989 "Stand Back" 44 Nightstreet
"Body Heat" 60 Non-album single
1991 "Where Are You Now?" 13 Nightstreet
"Bad Boys" 39
"Jimi G" 68

References
  • McFarlane, Ian (1999). Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2.
  1. Swift, Michael. "Roxus". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  2. "1991 ARIA SINGLES CHART". ARIA. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  3. McFarlane, 'Roxus' entry. Archived from the original on 30 September 2004. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  4. "Where Are They Now? – Roxus". Newsletter No. 44. Bmusic.com.au. 1–7 December 2002. Archived from the original on 3 December 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  5. Hung, Steffen. "Discography – Roxus". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. Holmgren, Magnus. "Chocolate Starfish". Australian Rock Database. Passagen (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 7 March 2005. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  8. "Roxus Australian Charts". Australian Charts. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  9. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1991 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  10. "Roxus Live! Australian Charts". Australian Charts. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  11. "Roxus singles Australian Charts". Australian Charts. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  12. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 240.
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