KIX-tory....40 Years of KIX [1977 - 2017]
Kix was formed by Ronnie Younkins, Brian Forsythe and Donnie Purnell in December 1977 in Hagerstown, Maryland. 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 bands, covering influences AC/DC, Aerosmith, April Wine, Led Zeppelin and others, prior to signing with Atlantic Records in 1981.
The Shooze Demos
1.The Kid
8.Poison
The Generators Demos
1.The Kid
9.Mud Pies
Led by frontman Steve Whiteman and creative mastermind/bassist Donnie Purnell, the band is rounded out by drummer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant and guitarists Ronnie "10/10" Younkins and Brian "Damage" 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 Time Warner affiliate Atlantic Records. Releasing their self-titled debut in 1981, Kix featured live favorites like "Atomic Bombs," "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" and "The Itch". 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 more commercial side of the band. Spearheaded by the single "Body Talk," rumors circulated that the song was written to appease the band's label, who, eager to capture radio airplay, 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.
COOL KIDS
Kix - Live in Baltimore 1983 [Full Concert]
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)."
Cold Shower
MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE
Building off the success of "Midnite Dynamite", in 1988 Kix went back into the studio to record their follow-up. 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, featuring their official video releases and behind-the-scenes footage. With the success of "Blow My Fuse", the bands popularity had grown to include arenas.
BLOW MY FUSE
COLD BLOOD
Kix - Live in Tokyo, Japan 1989 [Full concert]
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.
Same Jane
Girl Money
Tear Down the Walls
Kix - Live at Hammerjacks - Baltimore, MD - 7/4/1991
In 1994 Atlantic dropped the band from that label. In 1995, the band released their next album, $how Bu$ine$$, on CMC International.
911
Other 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 part of the rock 'n' roll act Jeremy and the Suicides.
In 2001, guitarist Brian "Damage" Forsythe joined Rhino Bucket.
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.
Kix Reunion
Kix reformed in late 2003 without 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/vocalist/songwriter Mark Schenker 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.
KIX LIVE IN BALTIMORE DVD
On August 5, 2014, KIX Rock Your Face Off was released on Loud & Proud Records. It debuted at #49 on the Billboard Top 200, (the band's second highest-charting record after 1988's Blow My Fuse) debuted at #1 on Amazon Hard Rock and remained there for more than three weeks. It was well received by fans and critics alike.
In October of 2016, Kix released "CAN'T STOP THE SHOW": THE RETURN OF KIX
A two disc DVD/CD set, is a 71-minute film; an in-depth look at how the band decided to record a new album after 20 years. It features the making of the album from bassist Mark Schenker's studio, interviews with all band members, and a rare appearance by producer Taylor Rhodes (Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, KIX's Hot Wire). CAN'T STOP THE SHOW: THE RETURN OF KIX also takes a look at KIX's unparalleled live show. In cameo appearances, notable rock artists and key music industry veterans share their love and respect for KIX. DVD extras features music videos, live footage and the extended guest interviews. The CD, CAN'T STOP THE SHOW (LIVE) included in the 2 disc set, offers never-before-released live KIX tracks recorded over the last three years. A bonus KIX logo sticker is inside the first manufacturing run, a special treat for KIX fans around the world. And each band member offers his own special contribution to the packaging which fans will love.
Tracklisting:DVD w/Bonus CD
01. Wheels In Motion (Live)
02. Rock Your Face Off (Live)
03. Cold Shower (Live)
04. Mean Miss Adventure (Live)
05. You're Gone (Live)
06. Cold Blood (Live)
07. Can't Stop The Show (Live)
08. Girl Money (Live)
09. Love Me With Your Top Down (Live)
10. Blow My Fuse (Live)
11. Love Pollution (Live at Sirius/XM)
12. Midnite Dynamite (Live at Sirius/XM)
