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How can you maintain or assert a conviction while expressing your creativity? Seems to me that damage control would be required. Especially as feelings and emotions get in the way of progress. We have all heard about the bands that broke up over indifferences. Humility was never a strong suit, and when giving in became a consistent way of life, friendships, families, and relationships became short-lived.
Can broke fences be mended? Certainly, they can, and they have. Plenty of bands have gotten back together after major riffs. Guns and Roses reunited in 2016 after a long hiatus. Deciding to burry, the hatchet Axl, Slash and Duff went on to playing for an L.A. club in April of 2016. Then they went on to a successful North American tour that summer.
Long after their drummer Keith Moon died in 1978 The Who, was never quite the same. They later reunited in 2006 to create a new album. In addition to playing gigs without Keith Moon, and bassist legend John Entwistle who died in 2002.
Who could forget the riff between the band Police. After creating hit after hit, they decided to call it quits in 1986, leaving their 1983 album Synchronicity as their last LP. However, they mended fences and reunited for a reunion of sorts in 2007. It didn’t yield to any collaborations for new releases, but they did generate $362.00 million from a successful tour.
Now there are rumors of a comeback for the band NSYNC if anyone is interested. Anyways, time to move on.
Fast forward to today, we want to speak about a band that we all love. The band VIXEN formed Vixen as an American rock in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1980. During its most commercially successful period from 1987 to 1992, the band consisted of Jan Kuehnemund (lead guitar), Janet Gardner (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Share Ross (bass guitar), and Roxy Petrucci (drums).
The band's eponymous first album was released in 1988 and reached No. 41 on the Billboard 200. Their second album Rev It Up was released in 1990 and reached No. 52 on the Billboard 200. Their third album Tangerine was released in 1998. Their fourth album Live & Learn was released in 2006.
Part of the Los Angeles, California, glam metal scene, the band has been described as "the female Bon Jovi." Several singles released by the band from 1988 to 1990 reached the Billboard Hot 100, including the Top 40 singles "Edge of a Broken Heart" at No. 26, and "Cryin'" at No. 22.
While the band originally disbanded in 1992, it reformed from 1997 to 1998 by Gardner and Petrucci but a lawsuit filed by Kuehnemund over ownership of the name ruled in her favor ending that version of the band. Kuehnemund reunited the band with the classic lineup in 2001 but disagreements caused Kuehnemund to quickly recruit a new version of the band with three new members; this lineup lasted until 2012. Kuehnemund died in 2013. From then on Gardner, Ross, and Petrucci reformed the band with Gina Stile on guitar.
As of 2022 the band currently consists of Petrucci, Britt Lightning, Lorraine Lewis, and Julia Lage.
Guitar Thrills Magazine has kept in contact with both Britt Lightning and Roxy Petrucci over the years. We continue to see a dynamic from them. Britt and Roxy continue to amaze us. If you recall, we talked with Roxy Petrucci last year about her role in the group Vixen. At this point, a drummer wouldn’t fit in with the theme of Guitar Thrills Magazine. However, we will always decide when an artist is a great fit or not. Roxy Petrucci will always have a home with us.
In our last interview entitled: Building a brand with a firm foundation. Components to ensure longevity.
We asked her the following question: From a “brand” perspective within the Rock music industry, what has been that branch for you? That “intertwine” that enables you to withstand the competition within the music industry.
Roxy said: I like your analogy and yes competition was fierce during the time I was out there trying to “make it’. However, it was the competition and the love of rock n roll that kept me going. I was determined and focused on being a rock n roll drummer. I played the clubs for years doing 3 sets a night sometimes 4 sets on the weekend…that was my rock school. I didn’t play for money that’s for sure, we were lucky to walk away with $50. The experience of playing night after night is priceless.
I’m also old school but you must keep up or you’ll be left behind. Any avenue one can use to get their music heard is not a bad thing.
They continue to make a huge impact on the music industry. So, I am going to follow up with her to see what they have been accomplishing and what enables a band to overcome disagreements to reunite.
First, we want to share some information with you about Roxy Petrucci. Roxanne Dora Petrucci (born March 17, 1962, in Rochester, Michigan) is an American drummer best known for her work with the heavy metal bands Madam X and Vixen.
Petrucci and her sister, Maxine Petrucci, first formed Madam X with vocalist Bret Kaiser and Chris Doliber. She left Madam X to join Vixen in 1986 and stayed until 1991. Roxy returned when Vixen reunited in 1997, bringing in her sister Maxine into the fold, but the lineup had to be dissolved the next year for legal reasons. She later rejoined a Jan Kuehnemund-led Vixen, but the reunion ended in 2001. In 2004, VH1 approached the four members of the "classic lineup" to appear on their show, Bands Reunited. The show was recorded in August 2004, and broadcast in the U.S. in November 2004. Following the broadcast of the VH1 show, EMI's American label Capitol re-released the first two Vixen albums, Vixen, and Rev It Up.
In 2012, Janet Gardner, Share Pedersen, and Petrucci announced they and Gina Stile would form their own band. Thus, they became known as JanetShareRoxyGina (or JSRG for short). JSRG began playing shows at the end of 2012, followed by touring on the Monsters of Rock cruise in March 2013, and performing at the tenth anniversary of the melodic rock festival Firefest in the UK later in October. In December, JSRG evolved into Vixen to honor Kuehnemund's posthumous legacy. Petrucci also played for Roktopuss with former Femme Fatale vocalist and future Vixen bandmate Lorraine Lewis, who succeeded Gardner on vocals in January 2019 after the latter stepped down.
Other changes have taken place since 2019, but with change comes the challenge of adjustment. Roxy has been the cornerstone of the band Vixen for many years. Through the difficult times, and even as they experienced success. Roxy continues to keep the band together and thriving without missing a beat.
Guitar Thrills: Hello Roxy. It is exciting to speak to you again. I almost wishing I could have rolled out the red carpet. Vixen is really blazing the trail. I hope you never stop. I have interviewed many bands. Groups that got their start early on. However, somewhere down the lines problems occur, and they no longer see eye to eye. What is the one thing that is at the foundation of rifts between band members?
Roxy: Wow and a red carpet! Well first let me say it's great to be speaking with Guitar Thrills again! Your artist interviews and articles are always top notch. To answer your question, I think Rock n Roll is ever changing and can be challenging for the artists to keep up and keep it together. Every breakup is unique to each band. Whether it's differences in musical direction, personality clashes, outside interferences, burnout, or all of the above it can be tough to hold it together. When you're dealing with strong minded, creative musicians it can get complicated and frustrating.
Guitar Thrills: What can you speak to about the breakup with Vixen?
Roxy: I chuckle and say we should've locked ourselves in a room just the four of us and had a pow wow until we came out on the same page with the same goal. Brutal and honest. We were no longer unified in the vision, and it didn't help that we lost our record deal and grunge was taking over the airways. It was a perfect storm, and we didn't survive it.
Guitar Thrills: Many of your fans, which includes us, are glad that you got back together. One of the most influential female bands to date. When Vixen reunited, who had an influential part in ensuring it happened?
Roxy: I think we were all thrilled to get back together. Jan reached out to us about reuniting, and it was great to catch up with her and reminisce about the past. The four of us collectively along with our agent Sullivan Bigg discussed tour plans. The timing was perfect it seems we were all in a good head space and totally Revved Up about the prospect of touring and getting back on stage together.
Guitar Thrills: Did it take time or consideration before you would consider performing again?
Roxy: Hell no.
Guitar Thrills: Usually when a band parts ways, some will seek a solo career. Did you consider playing with other bands? If so, who and for how long?
Roxy: Shortly after Vixen's breakup Jan and I recorded a song called Magic in the Night on Nintendo's White Knuckle Scorin compiliation CD & Vinyl. We had fun recording together but ultimately, we went on to work on our projects. I got together with my sister Maxine, vocalist Lenita Erickson and bassist Irene Wolhman in Hell's Belles and played some gigs and did some recording. When I listen to them now, I feel they're worth releasing, maybe one day we will. I'm a little fuzzy on the timeline but I went to Canada and toured a bit with Chrissie Steele in a project called the MOB. Chrissie's voice is incredible. After Canada I flew to New York and started working with guitarist Gina Stile and Janet who was living in Connecticut at the time, and we ended up recording the Tangerine album in 1998. Maxine and I released a CD together called Titania and Billy Sheehan was kind enough to record bass on the title song Titania. 2005 Lorraine Lewis and I worked together on a project Roktopuss with guitarist Jeff Young from Megadeth, and we released a 4 song EP. I recorded drums for metal/classical The Renaissance Rock Orchestra and piano/composer Mistheria. Maxine and I have an ongoing project called VIP Aftershow and we've released two songs so far: Kilmister and Full Metal Jacket featuring Mark Slaughter killin on vocals and Michael Pisculli killin it on bass guitar. Meanwhile Madam X released the 80s Rock Song single followed up with a full album MONSTROCITY. Maxine and I writing and recording as we speak on more Aftershow music with a special guest singer. There's probably more I'm missing but you get the idea. I didn't sit around and wait for my phone to ring. I made it happen. My motivation was to keep playing and keep my chops up.
Guitar Thrills: What was the deciding factor? Was it that fierce nature of yours that you talked about in our previous interview?
Roxy: Drummers need to drum. My passion and drive are as fierce today as it was 35 years ago.
Guitar Thrills: So, what are you working on now? Are there expectations for Vixen to come out with a new release?
Roxy: We just released a new blazin single and video called RED! Produced by the multi-talented Fred Coury and mixed by Jacob Bunton. The song and video are kickin ass getting great reviews from fans and the press. The positive feedback is off the charts and we're very appreciative of the support. The song is very catchy, and you'll find yourself singing that chorus whether you want to or not! RED is available now on all your favorite streaming and downloadable platforms so check it out if you haven't already! Madam X is also working on album #3 with the team of Henrik Havardsson and Producer/Engineer Chris Laney. Talk about catchy choruses? We've got some killer anthems that'll take you back to the best era...the 80s.
Guitar Thrills: Nice! I would like to talk about your set up. The friend that you keep around you constantly on stage and in the studio. What type of drums do you play? Can you break it down for us?
Roxy: My set up at home is a beautiful DW liquid copper kit consisting of two 22" kick drums, 13"& 14" rack toms and 16" floor tom. It's jewelry to my eyes. You can look at them but don't touch 😉 I use Zildjian cymbals, a variety 16" 17"& 18" crashes, 22" ride and 20" China. The friend that I keep around on stage and in the studio is a cowbell. Must have a cowbell, right? Promark 5B sticks are my constant companions. 🙂
Guitar Thrills: Excellent. We have been promoting a brand for months now. Other than a guitarist, I wanted to be a drum player too. I am constantly looking at drums, and a nice set up that I could live with. It is great to get insight from you as to what works best.
Roxy: Start with is the basics - kick, a double kick pedal if you're interested in trying some double kick patterns, of course a snare, one or two rack toms, a floor tom, hi hat and a few cymbals. The goal is to keep good time, right? Kick, snare, and hat is really all you need. Play, play often, then play some more.
Guitar Thrills: It is always a pleasure to speak to you. I am glad that you have the right mates, to support each other through thick and thin. As a featured artist in our November issue, we look forward to adding some additional artists that you will be familiar with. I find myself saying that this issue is going to be EPIC. However, NOVEMBER IS GOING TO BE EPIC. Keep us in the loop of what you have going on, and if you need our support let us know. Thank you.
Roxy: Awesome! It's been a pleasure and thank you for putting the spotlight on so many talented artists out there who work hard and play hard!
