JoBoxers

{{Short description|British new wave group formed in 1982}} {{Other uses|Joe Boxers (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}} {{Use British English|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = JoBoxers | image = | caption = | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = London, England | genre = {{Hlist|New wave<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/joboxers-announce-first-gigs-35-years-take-place-2021-2981083 |title=JoBoxers announce first gigs in 35 years to take place in 2021 |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=June 29, 2021 |work=NME |access-date=2023-08-12 |quote=The new wave group formed in 1982}}</ref>|progressive soul<ref>{{cite news|last=Himes|first=Geoffrey|authorlink=Geoffrey Himes|date=January 13, 1988|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/01/13/us-soul-reborn-in-britain/b0f77026-403b-4e38-9a25-e7a5327b8f07/|title=U.S. Soul, Reborn in Britain|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 28, 2021}}</ref>}} | years_active = 1982–1985, 2020–present | label = RCA, Sanctuary, Sony BMG | associated_acts = | website = [http://www.joboxers.net/ Joboxers.net] | current_members = Rob Marche Dave Collard Chris Bostock Sean McLusky Dig Wayne | past_members = }}

'''JoBoxers''' are a British new wave group formed in London, England in 1982 when former Subway Sect members Rob Marche (guitarist), Dave Collard (keyboardist), Chris Bostock (bassist), and Sean McLusky (drummer) teamed up with England-based American singer Dig Wayne (born Timothy Wayne Ball, 20 July 1958, Cambridge, Ohio). Wayne, under the name Buzz Wayne, had previously fronted the New York–based rockabilly band Buzz and the Flyers.

==Career== The band's debut single, "Boxerbeat", peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=David|title=British Hit Singles & Albums|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|year=2006|isbn=1-904994-10-5|edition=19th|location=London|page=284}}</ref> while the group were the opening act on the Madness Rise and Fall tour.<ref>{{cite book|last=Reed|first=John|title=House of Fun - The Story of Madness|year=2010|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|isbn=978-1-84772-619-3|pages=221}}</ref> At numbers one and two at the time were David Bowie's "Let's Dance" and Duran Duran's "Is There Something I Should Know?", respectively.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shnee|first=Stephen|title=An EXCLUSIVE Interview with JOBOXERS!|url=http://www.discussionsmagazine.com/2012/02/exclusive-interview-with-joboxers.html|website=Discussionsmagazine.com|access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19830403/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com}}</ref>

However, it was their next hit, "Just Got Lucky", that broke the band internationally. This single sold over 250,000 copies, made the UK top 10, and cracked the US top 40, reaching number 36 during November 1983.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> The song has been featured in a number of films including ''Just My Luck'' and ''The 40-Year-Old Virgin''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Just Got Lucky|url=https://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0405422/soundtrack|website=Uk.imdb.com|access-date=5 February 2013}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The third UK hit, "Johnny Friendly", is a homage to the Marlon Brando film ''On the Waterfront''. British boxer Frank Bruno appeared in the promotional video for the song.<ref>{{cite web|title=Johnny Friendly|url=http://www.joboxers.net/video.html|website=Joboxers.net|access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref>

"Jealous Love"/"She's Got Sex" was released as a double A-side. "Jealous Love" was performed on the UK TV show ''Loose Talk'' introduced by the actress Diana Dors in one of her last TV appearances, while "She's Got Sex" was covered on Samantha Fox's double platinum-selling album ''Touch Me'' (as "He's Got Sex").<ref>{{cite web|website=Samfox.com|title=Albums|url=http://www.samfox.com/discography/viewdiscography/1|access-date=5 February 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305064223/http://www.samfox.com/discography/viewdiscography/1|archivedate=5 March 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

JoBoxers' debut album, ''Like Gangbusters'', featuring all of the abovementioned hits, reached the top 20 of the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>

The band released another single, "Is This Really the First Time", and a second album ''Skin and Bone'' in 1985, but then split up during the making of a third album, with Sean McLusky joining Rob Marche in the indie-dance band called If? and Chris Bostock joining David A. Stewart to form his post-Eurythmics group, the Spiritual Cowboys<ref>{{cite web|title=Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys|url=http://www.dnafiles.net/dna/item/dsspcowboys.htm|website=Dnafiles.net|access-date=23 December 2012}}</ref> achieving two gold albums in France.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Stewart|first1=Dave|title=Sweet Dreams Are Made of This: A Life In Music|date=2016|publisher=New American Library|location=New York|isbn=978-0-698-41104-3|page=188}}</ref>

Meanwhile, Dig Wayne remained in London and briefly attempted a solo career, releasing the album ''Square Business'' in 1987, featuring fellow former JoBoxer Dave Collard on keyboards. One single, "Mastermind" was released from this album. After his solo efforts proved unsuccessful, Wayne began pursuing an acting career. He appeared in several stage productions (including a starring role in the successful West End musical ''Five Guys Named Moe'') in the UK. In 1995, he returned to the US, settling in Los Angeles, California, to continue pursuing his acting/television career.

In November 2020, they announced a reunion show at London's 100 Club, after 35 years of inactivity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://agmp.co.uk/events/joboxers/|title=JoBoxers|website=Agmp.co.uk|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> Other dates in Brighton, Leeds, Guildford and Bristol were also added, plus some festivals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joboxers.net/|title=JoBoxers - Chris Bostock, Dig Wayne, Rob Marche, Sean McLusky, Dave Collard|website=Joboxers.net|access-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> The dates went ahead in summer 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://the100club.co.uk/events/joboxers/|title=JOBOXERS|website=The100club.co.uk|access-date=18 September 2021}}</ref><ref>Wilson, Lois (2022) 'Packing a Punch', Record Collector, Issue #531, May, London, p.72;</ref><ref>Simpson, Will (2022) 'Boxer Beat', Viva Le Rock, Issue #92, 2022, London, p.38;</ref>

In 2025, the JoBoxers box set ''Just Got Lucky - The Complete Works 1983-1986'' was released on Cherry Red Records and including all recorded works, released and unreleased, plus ''Live at the Phoenix Theatre''.<ref>Tyler, Sonny (2025) 'JoBoxers 'Just Got Lucky - The Recorded Works 1983-1986', ''Viva Le Rock'', Issue #120, 2025, London, p.91;</ref>

In June 2025, new single 'A Thorn in My Side' reached No.11 in the Heritage Chart.

==Later activities== Chris Bostock performed bass on the Style Council's debut album ''Cafe Bleu'',<ref>{{cite book|author=Reed, John|year=2005|title=Paul Weller: My Ever Changing Moods|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|edition=4th, revised|page=46|isbn=9780711954953}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Snowball, Ian|year=2017|title=Paul Weller - Sounds from the Studio|location=Great Britain|publisher=Red Planet Publishing|pages=190–191|isbn=978-1-9113-4639-5}}</ref> Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys albums, the self-titled ''Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys'' and ''Honest'' with extensive touring,<ref>{{cite web|title=Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys|url=http://www.dnafiles.net/dna/item/dsspcowboys.htm|website=Dnafiles.net|access-date=23 December 2012}}</ref> Spear of Destiny's ''The Price You Pay'' album and tour, Sandie Shaw tours with Sean McLusky and Rob Marche,<ref>{{cite book|author=Shaw, Sandie|year=1991|title=The World at My Feet|location=London|publisher=Harper Collins|page=73|isbn=9780002159210}}</ref> the Shakespears Sister single and album track "Goodbye Cruel World" and produced albums for EMI and BMG. Bostock currently records and tours as a member of Subway Sect.<ref>Barker, Matt (2020) 'Monochrome Sect', Record Collector, May, London, p.64;</ref><ref>Harrison, Ian (2020) 'At last! Mick Jones produces Vic Godard & Subway Sect', Mojo, February, London, p.17;</ref>

Rob Marche went on to form Earl Brutus in 1993.

In 2012, JoBoxers' debut album, ''Like Gangbusters'', was re-released.

Wayne returned to his music roots and fronts the band Dig Wayne and the Chisellers. Also a guitarist and drummer, Wayne has toured both America and Europe with his band. Wayne also appeared in the sixth episode of season 8 of ''CSI'', "Who and What", playing a pawn shop owner.

Dave Collard joined The The and performed on ''Mind Bomb'' (1989) and ''Dusk'' (1993) as well as in 'The The Versus The World' world tour. Following Matt Johnson's decision to re-form the band and tour in 2019, Dave (or "DC") Collard toured globally with the The, opening three nights in London (the Royal Albert Hall, Brixton Academy and then Troxy) and finishing the world tour in Australia, playing two nights in the main auditorium at the Sydney Opera House followed immediately by another two nights at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Under the name DC Collard, he continues to write and record.

==Song connections== * "Just Got Lucky" was featured in the films, ''Bagets'', ''The 40-Year-Old Virgin'', starring Steve Carell, and ''Just My Luck'' starring Lindsay Lohan. * "Boxerbeat" is the subject of a Stewart Lee stand-up comedy routine, "Dog and Kittens Postcard".

==Discography== ===Albums=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Album ! rowspan="2" | Label ! colspan="3" | Peak chart positions |- ! style="width:30px;"|UK <ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/><ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=JOBOXERS {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20090/joboxers/|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Officialcharts.com}}</ref> ! style="width:30px;"|US <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1983-12-03|access-date=2020-10-30|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> ! style="width:30px;"|NZ <ref>{{cite web|title=charts.org.nz - JoBoxers - Like Gangbusters|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=JoBoxers&titel=Like+Gangbusters&cat=a|access-date=2020-10-30|website=charts.nz}}</ref> |- | 1983 | ''Like Gangbusters'' (re-released in 2012) | rowspan="2"|RCA | align=center | 18 | align=center | 70 | align=center | 37 |- | 1985 | ''Skin and Bone'' (unreleased) | align=center | — | align=center | — | align=center | — |- | 1986 | ''Missing Link'' (unreleased) | N/A | align=center | — | align=center | — | align=center | — |- | colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |}

===Compilation albums=== * ''Doing the Boxerbeat – The Anthology'' (Sanctuary, 2003) * ''Essential Boxerbeat'' (Sony BMG, 2006, Cooking Vinyl, 2022) (originally released in 1996) * ''Just Got Lucky - The Complete Works 1983-1986'' (Cherry Red Records, 2025)

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Single ! colspan="6" |Peak chart positions |- !width="30"| AUS <ref name="aus">{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|publisher=Australian Chart Book|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|edition=illustrated|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|page=156|author-link=David Kent (historian)}}</ref> !width="30"| GER <ref>{{cite web|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-14866|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Offiziellecharts.de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-87096|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Offiziellecharts.de}}</ref> !width="30"| IRE <ref>{{cite web|title=The Irish Charts - All there is to know|url=http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement|access-date=2020-10-30|website=irishcharts.ie}}</ref> !width="30"| NZ <ref>{{cite web|title=charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal|url=https://charts.nz/search.asp?search=joboxers&cat=s|access-date=2020-10-30|website=charts.nz}}</ref> !width="30"| UK <ref name=":0" /> !width="30"| US <ref>{{cite web|title=JoBoxers Songs • Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography|url=https://www.musicvf.com/JoBoxers.art|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Musicvf.com}}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" |1983 | align="left" |"Boxerbeat" |— |23 |4 |— |3 |— |- | align="left" |"Just Got Lucky" |25 |54 |13 |50 |7 |36 |- | align="left" |"Johnny Friendly" |— |— |— |— |31 |— |- | align="left" |"Jealous Love" / "She's Got Sex" |— |— |— |— 50 |72 |— |- |1985 | align="left" |"Is This Really the First Time" |— |— |— |— |— |— |- | colspan="8" style="font-size:9pt" |"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.joboxers.net JoBoxers Official website] *[http://digwayne.com/ Dig Wayne homepage] *[https://chrisbostock.com/ Chris Bostock homepage] *[http://www.vicgodard.co.uk/ Subway Sect homepage] {{Authority control}}

Category:Musical groups established in 1982 Category:English new wave musical groups Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1985 Category:1982 establishments in England Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2020 Category:Musical groups from London Category:Progressive soul music groups