Kix

Biography

Kix (stylized as KIX) was an American hard rock band formed in 1976, that achieved popularity during the 1980s. The band's classic lineup consisted of Donnie Purnell (bass, keyboards, backing vocals, primary songwriter, co-leader), Ronnie "10/10" Younkins (guitar), Brian "Damage" Forsythe (guitar), Steve Whiteman (lead vocals, co-leader), and Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant (drums, backing vocals). Kix covered Aerosmith, April Wine, Led Zeppelin, and others before signing with Atlantic Records in 1981. After peaking in the late 1980s, band members continued to record and tour until their disbandment in 2023.
Some journalists consider Kix to be among the greatest glam metal acts of all time.

Early years (1976–1987)

Brian "Damage" Forsythe's originally played drums then later guitar. His first band was Vanilla Grass as drummer; this band morphed into different things, and around late 1975 he left school to tour the south with two musician friends. The band Atlas Ram (featuring Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant) stole Brian Forsythe's rhythm guitarist, breaking up his band.
The very first lineup of what became KIX permanently formed in Hagerstown, Maryland and featured Donnie Purnell (from the band Jaxx), Tee, Tunes, and Donnie Spence, and very briefly used the name KIX, but soon went by the name Tee and Tunes. In December 1976, Ronnie "10/10" Younkins joined Donnie Purnell and the rest. Tee and Tunes soon left as they were commuting from Pittsburgh. Younkins soon had a chance encounter with Brian "Damage" Forsythe (who had auditioned for a cover band that Younkins had recently left), who he already knew.
Drummer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant (who had previously played with Donnie Purnell in "Fire and Rain", "Starship", and "Jaxx") joined in 1979, completing what would become the band's classic lineup. Later, they had a stint using the name The Generators, before eventually reverting back to KIX. The band got a contract with Time Warner affiliate Atlantic Records.
Also in 1981, they released their self-titled debut album, Kix, which featured favorites from their live shows like "Atomic Bombs," "The Itch," and "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah." With a unique ad-lib performance by lead vocalist Whiteman, the latter became one of the band's most popular concert songs. Another track, "Love at First Sight," also became a concert favorite. The album established the tongue-in-cheek rock and roll style of Kix.
Their 1983 follow-up, Cool Kids, showcased a more commercial side of the band and included three cover songs. Spearheaded by the single "Body Talk", a cover of a 1981 Nick Gilder song, rumors circulated that the song was covered to appease the band's label, who was eager to capture radio airplay. Other songs like "Restless Blood" and "Mighty Mouth" fared a little better. This album was also the only Kix record to feature guitarist Brad Divens, who replaced Younkins for what would ultimately be a brief departure.
Eager to recapture the harder rock vibe of their earlier work, and with Younkins having returned to the lineup, Kix partnered with then Ratt and future Warrant producer Beau Hill and hit songwriter Bob Halligan Jr., releasing Midnite Dynamite in 1985. The album spawned two singles: "Midnite Dynamite×Midnite Dynamite1985 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Midnite Dynamite3:512Red Hot (Black & Blue)3:233Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)4:004Layin' Rubber3:525Walkin' Away4:566Scarlet Fever4:207Cry Baby4:178Cold Shower5:029Lie Like a Rug3:4110Sex3:56" reached No. 18, followed by "Cold Shower," which reached No. 23, both on the Hot Mainstream Rock chart. Other notable tracks receiving airplay included "Sex" and "Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)".

Commercial success (1988–1995)

After Midnite Dynamite, Kix went back into the studio to record their follow-up. In 1988, they released Blow My Fuse, which went platinum. The Bob Halligan Jr. co-written power ballad "Don't Close Your Eyes" peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also featured the singles "Cold Blood" (the first of Purnell's many co-writes with Taylor Rhodes) and the title track, "Blow My Fuse×Blow My Fuse6 September 1988 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Red Lite, Green Lite, TNT3:572Get It While It’s Hot4:283No Ring Around Rosie4:374Don’t Close Your Eyes4:195She Dropped Me the Bomb3:506Cold Blood4:187Piece of the Pie3:538Boomerang3:479Blow My Fuse4:0310Dirty Boys3:44", 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. The success of Blow My Fuse enabled the band to begin performing in arenas.
The album Hot Wire×Hot Wire9 July 1991 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Hot Wire5:262Girl Money4:003Luv-A-Holic4:384Tear Down the Walls4:385Bump the La La3:326Rock & Roll Overdose4:317Cold Chills5:228Same Jane4:349Pants on Fire (Liar, Liar)4:1110Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush5:3211Red Lite, Green Lite, TNT (Live Version)4:48 arrived in 1991, with the single "Girl Money×Girl Money1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Girl Money4:092Cold Blood (live Japanese version)6:44". In 1993, guitarist Jimi K. Bones replaced Brian "Damage" Forsythe. While on tour in 1992, they made a live album, titled Live, showcasing a recent performance 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 the label. In 1995, the band released their next album, $how Bu$ine$$, on CMC International.

Side projects

In 1996, 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. In 2001, Forsythe himself would join Rhino Bucket, later performing lead guitar on the group's 2005 release And Then It Got Ugly..
Meanwhile, Ronnie "10/10" Younkins relocated to Baltimore City, and would be part of the rock 'n' roll act Jeremy and the Suicides. Younkins later moved to Los Angeles, 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.
Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant joined Whiteman in Funny Money as their drummer in 2003, ultimately sowing the seeds for a Kix reunion.

Reunion and disbandment (2003–2023)

Kix reformed in late 2003 without songwriter and band leader Donnie Purnell. Kix then lined-up shows for September 2004, the line-up consisting of Whiteman (lead vocals), 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, in September, with a new studio album to follow in 2013.
On April 16, 2014, it was announced that the band had signed with Loud & Proud Records to release the band's first studio album in 19 years. On June 18, 2014, it was announced that the band would release this album - their seventh studio album - titled Rock Your Face Off×Rock Your Face Off5 August 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Wheels in Motion3:342You're Gone4:253Can't Stop the Show4:384Rollin' in Honey4:185Rock Your Face Off3:306All the Right Things4:047Dirty Girls4:158Inside Outside Inn4:049Mean Miss Adventure3:3610Love Me With Your Top Down3:4411Tail on the Wag3:3012Rock & Roll Showdown3:45, on August 5. Upon release, it debuted at No. 49 on the Billboard Top 200 (the band's second highest-charting record after 1988's Blow My Fuse), while debuting at No. 1 on Amazon Hard Rock, remaining there for more than three weeks. It was well-received by fans and critics alike. The hard rock webzine Sleaze Roxx published that Rock Your Face Off was awarded No. 1 in the Top Ten Albums of 2014 by editors and staff as well as No. 1 in Top Ten Albums of 2014 in the Sleaze Roxx Reader's Poll. The first time in the web site's history that an album has taken the top spot in both categories. Stereogum.com chose Rock Your Face Off as Album of the Week with high praise saying "...all of it is delirious and catchy, and it proudly flaunts its out-of-fashion party-hard spirit. It’s glittering trash, made by guys in their fifties who probably hold down day jobs these days and who have no business making this vigorous and fun anymore. Its mere existence is an inspirational thing, and it’s a reminder that sometimes exploring new musical space isn’t the most important thing. Sometimes, songs are the most important thing."
In February 2017, it was announced that Kix would headline the first night at Rockingham Festival 2017, which was held at Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom.
Original Shooze drummer Donnie Spence died at the age of 64 on January 19, 2018 in Hagerstown, Maryland.
On September 21, 2018 a 2 CD anniversary edition set named Fuse 30 Reblown – 30th Anniversary Special Edition was released. Producer Beau Hill who previously worked with Kix on their 1985 album, Midnite Dynamite×Midnite Dynamite1985 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Midnite Dynamite3:512Red Hot (Black & Blue)3:233Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)4:004Layin' Rubber3:525Walkin' Away4:566Scarlet Fever4:207Cry Baby4:178Cold Shower5:029Lie Like a Rug3:4110Sex3:56 remixed the original 24 track recordings. Fuse 30 Reblown is the original concept of current bassist Schenker, who with help from record executive Madelyn Scarpulla, was able to obtain digital transfers from the original analog master recording reels. Schenker was also instrumental in rescuing the original 8-track demo reels and to digitally enhance and rescue the original 2-track demos. The website Metalnation.com reported "Hill does a masterful job on Fuse 30, bringing the album into the new millennium without taking away from eclectic elements and raucous energy that made the original so memorable. Jay Frigoletto came in to master the album. The second disc contains the 10 demo recordings for each one of the album tracks." In 2020 the previous album Midnight Dynamite was remixed and re-released; called Midnight Dynamite Re-Lit, it is, to date, only available as a digital download.
Beginning in November 2020, guitarist Ronnie Younkins took a leave of absence from touring and beginning in May 2021, Bob Paré began performing live with Kix. Soon after, it was revealed that Younkins' absence was because he had been placed under house arrest after repeatedly getting in trouble with the police. In late February 2022, Ronnie returned to live performances with his own band. He remains on hiatus from live performances with Kix.
On November 18, 2022, drummer Jimmy Chalfant suffered an apparent severe cardiac event while on stage at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg, VA. Drum tech Sam Stilwell and others assisted with attending to Jimmy, but the band did not finish the performance. From March 2023 until May 2023, Matt Starr filled-in for Chalfant for live performances and is currently on standby in case Chalfant's health deteriorates. Chalfant notably does not sing backing vocals, with Paré continuing to provide that support.
On May 7, 2023, during an appearance at the M3 Rock Festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, Steve Whiteman announced that Kix would call it quits and would perform their final show on September 17 at the same venue. The band disbanded following the performance, with guitarist Ronnie Younkins and former guitarist Brad Divens performing with the band.

Musical style and influences

Kix performs glam metal music. Jeff Mezydlo of Yardbarker stated that Kix was "not full-on big hair and lipstick" compared to other glam metal bands of their era. Their music has drawn comparisons to Aerosmith. AllMusic said the band's music "sounded like a constant party" and that it was "was seen as wimpy by most metal fans" around the time it was released. The site called it "good-time metal".
Lyrical themes explored in the band's songs include but are not limited to suicide.

Side projects

In 2018, bassist Mark Schenker and drummer Vince Tricarico formed the Rush tribute band Sun Dogs. Schenker handled lead vocals, bass, keyboards, and bass pedals.

In popular culture

The 2017 horror comedy Dead Ant covers songs by Kix, presented as songs by Sonic Grave, a fictional has-been glam metal band.

Band members

Classic lineup

Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals, acoustic guitar (1976–1996), lead vocals (1976–1977);
Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitar, talk box, backing vocals (1976–1982, 1983–1996, 2003–2023)
Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitar, guitar synthesizer, backing vocals (1977–1993, 1994–1995, 2003–2023); keyboards (2003–2023)
Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion, saxophone, acoustic guitar (1978–1996, 2003–2023)
Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals, effects (1978–1996, 2003–2023)
Other members

Tee – lead vocals (1976–1977)
Tunes – guitar, backing vocals (1976–1977)
Donnie Spence – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1976–1980), lead vocals (1976–1978);
Buffalo Ed – lead vocals (1977)
Terry Brady – lead vocals (1977–1978)
Sam Smith – lead vocals (1978)
David "Stargazer" Bumbalough – guitar (1978–1980)
Brad Divens – guitar, backing vocals, talk box (1982–1984; touring guest 2023)
Mark Schenker – bass, backing vocals, acoustic guitar (2003–2023)
Touring substitutes

Jimi K. Bones – guitar (1989, 1992, 1993–1994, 1995; touring guest 2016)
Roger Studner – guitar (1995)
Pat DeMent – guitar (1995–1996)
Aaron Isaacs – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2008)
Ned Meloni – guitar (2019)
Bob Paré – guitar, backing vocals (2020, 2021–2023)
John Allen – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2020, 2021)
Will Hunt – drums, percussion (2021)
Vince Tricarico – drums, percussion (2021)
Matt Starr – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2023)
Session members

Anton Fig – drums, percussion on "Lie Like a Rug" and "Sex" from Midnite Dynamite (1985)
Mike Slamer – guitar on "Walkin' Away" and "Scarlet Fever" from Midnite Dynamite (1985)
Kip Winger – backing vocals on "Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)" from Midnite Dynamite (1985)
John Luce – backing vocals on "Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)" from Midnite Dynamite (1985)
Beau Hill – keyboards, guitar on Midnite Dynamite (1985)
Paul Chalfant – viola on "If You Run Around" from Show Business (1995)
Timeline

Live albums

Live (1993)
Live in Baltimore (2012)
Can't Stop The Show: The Return of Kix (2016)

Compilation albums

The Essentials (2002)
Thunderground (2004) (unofficial bootleg of demos)
Rhino Hi-Five EP (2006)

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")