Kix (band)
| Kix (band) | |
|---|---|
 Kix performing in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Shooze (1977-1979) The Generators (1980) The Baltimore Cocks[1] |
| Origin | Hagerstown, Maryland, USA |
| Genres | Glam metal, hard rock |
| Years active | 1977–1996, 2003–present |
| Labels | Atlantic, East West, CMC International |
| Members | Steve Whiteman Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant Brian "Damage" Forsythe Ronnie "10/10" Younkins Mark Schenker |
| Past members | See: Former members |
| Website | kix-band.com |
Kix is an American hard rock band that achieved popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Band members have continued to tour, including at the Rocklahoma festival in 2008 in Oklahoma and the M3 Rock Festival in May 2011 in the band's home state of Maryland.
History
Early years (1977–1987)
Kix was formed by Ronnie Younkins, Brian Forsythe and Donnie Purnell in December 1977 in Hagerstown, Maryland. In 1981, they released their self-titled debut album, Kix, featuring "Atomic Bombs", "Heartache", "Contrary Mary", "The Itch", and "The Kid". "Love at First Sight" instantly became a concert favorite.[2] "Kix Are for Kids" creatively merged the name of the band with two popular cereals of the 1960s and 1970s, Kix (that featured an atomic bomb commercial) and the Trix Rabbit ("Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!"). "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" became the band's most popular concert song, always with a unique ad-lib performance by lead vocalist Steve Whiteman, of Piedmont, WV. With this album, the tongue-in-cheek rock and roll style of Kix was established.
Originally calling themselves Shooze and eventually changing their name to the Generators and ultimately, Kix, Baltimore's favorite hard rock band garnered quite a reputation for themselves as one of Maryland's most exciting live cover bands prior to signing to Atlantic Records in 1981. Led by frontman Steve Whiteman and creative mastermind/bassist Donnie Purnell, the band is rounded out by drummer Jimmy Chalfant and guitarists Ronnie Younkins (nicknamed 10/10) and Brian Jay Forsythe. Hitting the club circuit six nights a week for three straight years resulted in the band cultivating a huge local fan base and led to a contract with the Time Warner affiliate. Releasing their self-titled debut in 1981, Kix featured live favorites like "Atomic Bombs," "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" and "The Kid." To support the release, the quintet set out to hit every club up and down the East Coast. Their 1983 follow-up, Cool Kids, showcased a slightly more commercial side of the band. Spearheaded by the single "Body Talk," rumors ran rampant that the song was written to appease the band's label, who, eager to capture some steam at radio, also forced the band into shooting a blatantly commercial video for the song which featured the band in full-on workout mode. Other songs like "Restless Blood" and "Mighty Mouth" fared a little better. Eager to get back in the studio, Kix partnered up with Ratt and future Warrant producer Beau Hill and released Midnite Dynamite—their "self-proclaimed favorite record ever." The album spawned two singles: "Midnite Dynamite" reached #18, followed by "Cold Shower," which reached #23, both on the Hot Mainstream Rock chart. Other notable cuts are "Sex" and "Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)."
Commercial success (1988–1995)
In 1988, Kix went back into the studio to record more of Donnie Purnell's songs. Later that year they released Blow My Fuse, and finally achieved fame as it went platinum. The power ballad "Don't Close Your Eyes"—containing anti-suicide lyrics—led the way (peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100). The album featured the singles "Cold Blood" and "Blow My Fuse", along with videos showing the band in concert at Hammerjack's. In 1989, the band released Blow My Fuse: The Videos, with their videos and behind-the-scenes footage. As Kix finally graduated to arenas, opening for Ratt.
The album Hot Wire arrived in 1991, with the single "Girl Money". In 1992, guitarist Jimi K. Bones replaced Brian "Damage" Forsythe. While on tour in 1992, they made a live album, titled Live at the University of Maryland, College Park. This album, internally referred to as Contractual Obligation Live, was released in 1993. In 1994 Atlantic dropped the band from that label. In 1995, the band released their next album, Show Business, on CMC International.
Side projects (1996–2002)
In 1996, Steve Whiteman formed a band called Funny Money In 1998, Brian "Damage" Forsythe teamed up with ex-White Sister and Tattoo Rodeo drummer Rich Wright, and erstwhile Rhino Bucket members rhythm guitarist/lead vocalist Georg Dolivo (George Dolivo) and bassist Reeve Downes to forge Deep Six Holiday. Ronnie "10/10" Younkins relocated to Baltimore City, and would be located in rock 'n' roll act Jeremy and the Suicides.
In 2001, guitarist Brian "Damage" Forsythe joined Rhino Bucket, being announced as so in early 2002.
Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant joined Funny Money as their drummer in 2003. Ronnie "10/10" Younkins moved to L.A., then wrote, recorded, and released the album The Slimmer Twins: Lack of Luxury, as a collaboration with vocalist Jeremy L. White in 2000. Back on the East Coast, he founded the Blues Vultures in 2002, maturing into the lead vocalist and primary songwriter, and in 2005, released the album The Blues Vultures: Cheap Guitars & Honky Tonk Bars. Brian "Damage" Forsythe is now with Rhino Bucket, joining the band in 2001. Brian performs lead guitar on Rhino Bucket's 2005 release And Then It Got Ugly.
Reunion (2003–present)
A new version Kix reformed in late 2003 sans songwriter and band leader Purnell. Kix then lined-up shows for September 2004, the lineup consisting of Steve Whiteman (lead vocals), Ronnie "10/10" Younkins (guitars), Brian "Damage" Forsythe (guitars), Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant (drums, backing vocals), and Funny Money bassist Mark Schenker (bass, backing vocals) in place of Donnie Purnell.
On August 7, 2012, Frontiers Records announced that it had signed Kix; the band subsequently released a live CD/DVD, titled Live in Baltimore, in September, with a new studio album to follow in 2013.[3]
On April 16, 2014, it was announced that the band had signed with Loud & Proud Records, and are scheduling the release of their new album for July 22, 2014, making it the first studio album the band released in 19 years.[4]
On June 18, 2014, it was announced that the band would release their seventh studio album, titled Rock Your Face Off, on August 5.[5]
Band members
Current members
- Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitar, guitar synthesizer (1977–1993, 2003–present)
- Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion, saxophone, harp, drums (1978–1996, 2003–present)
- Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, effects, backing vocals (1979–1996, 2003–present)
- Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitar, talkbox, backing vocals (1977–1982, 1983–1996, 2003–present)
- Mark Schenker – bass, backing vocals (2003–present)
Former members
- Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals (1977–1996)
- Donnie Spence – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–1979)
- Brad Divens – guitar, talk box, backing vocals (1983–1983)
- Jimi K. Bones – guitar (1989, 1993–1994)
- Bobby Murcer – tamborine, backing vocals (1984–1987)
- Pat DeMent – guitar (1995)
Session members
- Anton Fig – drums, percussion on Midnite Dynamite (1985 — 2 tracks)
- Mike Slamer – guitar on Midnite Dynamite (1985 — 1 track)
- John Luce – backing vocals on Midnite Dynamite (1985 — track "Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)")
- Paul Chalfant – viola on $how Bu$ine$$ (1995 — multiple tracks)
Lineups
| (1977) The Shooze |
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|---|---|
| (1978) The Shooze |
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| (1978–1979) The Shooze |
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| (1979) The Shooze |
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| (1980) The Generators |
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| (1980–1982) Kix |
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| (1982–1983) Kix |
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| (1983–1988) Kix |
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| (1988–1992) Kix |
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| (1992–1993) Kix |
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| (1993–1994) Kix |
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| (1994–1995) Kix |
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| (1995) Kix |
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| (1995–2003) |
(Kix disbanded) |
| (2003–2004) Kix |
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| (2004–present) Kix |
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Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album | US Top 200 | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Kix | — | |
| 1983 | Cool Kids | 177 | |
| 1985 | Midnite Dynamite | — | |
| 1988 | Blow My Fuse | 46 | US: Platinum |
| 1991 | Hot Wire | 64 | US: 200,000+ |
| 1995 | $how Bu$ine$$ | — | |
| 2014 | Rock Your Face Off | 49 | US: 8000+ |
Live albums
- Live (1993) also known as Contractual Obligation Live
- Live in Baltimore (2012)CD/DVD retail packaging (also available for download at Amazon or iTunes with bonus tracks)
Compilations
- The Essentials (2002) (12 songs compilation)
- Thunderground (2004) (15 demo songs unofficial compilation-bootleg)
- Rhino Hi-Five (2006) (5 songs compilation)
Guest appearances
- Monster Metal Power Ballads (2006 — track "Still Loving You" (Scorpions cover), credited as "Still Lovin' You" by Steve Whitman)
- Monster Ballads: Platinum Edition (2006, retail version — track "Don't Close Your Eyes")
- Monster Ballads: Platinum Edition (2005, exclusive version — track "Don't Close Your Eyes")
- Leppardmania: A Tribute to Def Leppard (2000 — track "Foolin'" (Def Leppard cover), credited as "Foolin'" by Steve Whiteman)
- Monster Ballads (1999 — track "Don't Close Your Eyes")
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | Rock | |||
| 1983 | "Body Talk" | - | - | Cool Kids |
| 1985 | "Midnite Dynamite" | - | - | Midnite Dynamite |
| "Cold Shower" | - | - | ||
| 1989 | "Get It While It's Hot" | - | - | Blow My Fuse |
| "Don't Close Your Eyes" | 11 | 16 | ||
| "Cold Blood" | – | – | ||
| "Blow My Fuse" | - | - | ||
| 1991 | "Girl Money" | – | 26 | Hot Wire |
Videography
Videos
- Blow My Fuse: The Videos (1989)
References
- ^ "Kix". Big Time Entertainment. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
- ^ "Revived hard rock band Kix playing area show". The New Item. March 29, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
- ^ "KIX Signs With FRONTIERS RECORDS For Live DVD, Upcoming Studio Album". Blabbermouth.net. August 7, 2012. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Kix signs with Loud & Proud Records – first new albums in 19 years in the works for July 22nd release". Loud & Proud Records. April 16, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- ^ "KIX To Release 'Rock Your Face Off' In August". Blabbermouth.net. June 18, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
External links
- Kix website
- In-depth 2014 interview with Kix guitarist Brian Forsythe on Guitar.com
- Funny Money website
- Brian "Damage" Forsythe's website
- Brian "Damage" Forsythe's band Rhino Bucket website
- Brian "Damage" Forsythe's band the Snakehandlers website
- Ronnie "10/10" Younkins' band the Blues Vultures website
- 2008 Ronnie Younkins Interview at Sleaze Roxx
- 2013 Monsters of Rock Cruise