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The Monoxides were formed in Moncton, New Brunswick in 1988 by Steve Hickox and Ken Kelley at the ages of 13 and 12 years old, respectively. Over the three years that followed, the group added bassist PJ Dunphy and lead guitarist Derek Robichaud to the band roster, solidifying the core lineup of the group that is still together today.
Following a series of successful independent releases and shows all over Atlantic Canada, the group signed with Handsome Boy Records / BMG Music Canada at the outset of 1995.
The Monoxides rose to national prominence with the Out of the Marsh EP (Handsome Boy Records, 1995) and full-length effort Galaxy of Stooges (BMG Music Canada, 1997), which was produced by Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness). The album subsequently spawned the singles "(Can't Get) Excited" and "Little Bitta Rosie," garnering the band radio play from coast to coast.
The Monoxides toured Canada relentlessly following the album’s release and earned a reputation for energetic live shows while playing alongside acts including Our Lady Peace, ZZ Top, the Headstones, The Pursuit of Happiness, Sloan, Rusty, and Change of Heart.
Following the release of their last full-length effort, The Free Release of Energy (Superbob Records, 2000), the band took a lengthy back seat to other musical endeavours as well as the usual grown-up hustle of jobs, mortgages, and raising kids.
The group added guitarist-vocalist Marco Rocca as a full-time member of their lineup in 2003. Through it all, The Monoxides continued performing live throughout the Maritimes and have remained a consistent live draw, primarily based on the strength of their live show.
Over the course of the last five years, the band has served in both a headliner and support capacity alongside the likes of Steven Page, The Odds, Headstones, July Talk, The New Pornographers, The Stanfields, and others.
The release of their single “Let Her Know” in June 2023 marks the first new music from the quintet in 23 years. A second single is due for release in the fall of 2023 with a full-length record on the horizon in 2024.
