Rox, featuring Devorah Ostrov, is a rock band from the East Bay that seeks to carve out its identity beyond the frequent comparisons to the iconic all-female group, the Runaways. "We try to interest the audience with our music," explains bassist Toni Falconio. "We can't avoid the fact that we are girls, but we hope that the audience will appreciate our music and not just our presence."

The band's lineup consists of Falconio, vocalist and guitarist Nina Markert, keyboardist Gere Fennelly, and drummer Christie Nehlick, all of whom are accomplished musicians with years of experience. Their collective resilience stems from navigating a male-dominated industry where female musicians often face skepticism.

While rehearsing at Pearl Studios in Fremont, local boys would often be surprised to discover that the hard-hitting rock they heard was produced by women. Markert notes that the primary resistance they encounter comes from "guys who don't want girls to succeed because they fear being overshadowed."

Despite slow recognition in the Bay Area, Rox experienced significant success during a seven-month tour of Japan, where they gained acclaim comparable to leading American bands, playing to packed venues, and attracting fans seeking autographs and television appearances.

Initially known as Roxz, the band was formed less than a year when a representative from Shinka, Japan's largest music publishing company, discovered them at San Francisco's Mabuhay Gardens and signed them to a contract. In Japan, they enjoyed comprehensive support from Shinka, which covered all their expenses, including transportation and extensive promotional activities such as shopping tours, multiple TV appearances, and numerous radio interviews.

Fans were dedicated, with some following the band to radio stations and waiting hours for a chance to meet them. "We had some fans that would follow us to radio stations and wait three hours just to see us," shares Markert. "And when we'd drive away they'd chase our car!" Falconio adds that at concerts, fans would throw superballs, streamers, and balloons onstage, creating a lively atmosphere despite security efforts to maintain order.

Rox began their journey by winning first place in the Hayward Battle of the Bands, performing a set that included Kiss' "Detroit Rock City," Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak," and Montrose's "Rock the Nation," despite some mishaps during the performance.

During their time in Japan, Rox recorded an album titled Tantrum, which includes songs in Japanese and is available only through import. They also released two singles, "American Kan Kan" and "Okay Boys," for which Japanese songwriter Tokura wrote the material. Although they were not permitted to record their original songs, Markert expressed frustration with the process, stating, "You should have heard it ('Okay Boys') before we rearranged it. We were pulling our hair out saying, 'We can't rearrange this. It's too far in the pits!'"

Nehlick remarked on the album's production quality, noting that while they were pleased with their performance, "the production could have been a lot better." She mentioned that the Japanese producer had specific preferences for equipment, and they look forward to better utilizing sound in future recordings.

Although Tantrum won't be released in the United States, it is said to present a different side of Rox. With the Japanese interpretation of hard rock leaning toward a more commercial sound, the band was pushed to record in a pop style that Fennelly described as "pop like puppy pop," a stark contrast to their usual repertoire, which includes songs by Van Halen, the Scorpions, Cheap Trick, and Led Zeppelin, alongside their own heavy metal compositions.

Now back in the Bay Area after their experiences abroad, Rox aims to dispel any rumors of their disbandment, affirming their commitment to continue performing and evolving as a band.