Kix is an American hard rock band created in 1978 in Hagerstown, Maryland . The peak of its popularity came in the late 1980s - early 90s, and the most famous hit was the power ballad “Don't Close Your Eyes” (1988), which reached 11th position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart [3]
| Kix | |
|---|---|
 Kix speaks at Rams Head Live in Baltimore 2009 | |
| basic information | |
| Genre | Hard Rock , Glam Metal [1] [2] |
| Years | 1978 - 1995 , since 2003 |
| A country |  USA |
| Where from | Hagerstown maryland |
| Label | Atlantic (1981–1988, 1993) East West (1991) CMC International (1995) |
| Composition | Steve whiteman Jimmy Chocolate Chocolate Brian "Damage" Forsyth Ronnie "10/10" Yonkins Mark Schenker |
| Other projects | Funny money The blues vultures The snakehandlers Rhino bucket Jeremy and the suicides Deep six holiday Jeremy L. white Souls at zero Wrathchild america |
| kix-band.com | |
Biography
Formation and Early
In December 1977, in Hagerstown, Maryland, guitarists Ronnie Yonkins, Brian Forsyth and bassist Donnie Parnell founded the band called The Shooze . For six months, three vocalists were replaced in the group, until, finally, drummer Steve Whiteman assumed the responsibilities of frontman. Donnie Spence took the place behind the drums, but in 1979 he was replaced by Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant. In this composition, the group records a demo and sends it to various labels. When the labels began to show interest in him, the name of the group was changed to The Generators . And after concluding a contract with Atlantic Records, the group last changed its name to Kix.
In 1981, a debut album was released, also named as the band Kix . The song “Poison” with the bi-side “The Itch” was released as a single. The song "Love at First Sight" instantly became a concert favorite. In the song “Kix Are for Kids”, the group deftly combined its name with the ready-made breakfast “Kix”, which was popular in the 60s and 70s, and with the mascot rabbit of another Trix breakfast (“Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids ! "). “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah”, originally written as a song for a roll call with the audience, also became the group’s most popular concert number, during the performance of which Steve Whiteman improvises in communication with the audience.
Commercial Success
In 1982, the band kicked out guitarist Ronnie Jonkins and replaced him with Brad Divens (Souls at Zero / Wrathchild America). In 1983, the second album Cool Kids was released , showing the group's movement in a more commercial direction. The album was able to take only 177 position on the Billboard 200 chart [4] . The main hit and the only single from the album was “Body Talk” - a hard rock song with a dance rhythm, on which the band’s first clip was shot.
In the same year, Divens leaves the group and Ronnie Jonkins returns to his place, reviving the classical composition.
To record their next album, Kix resorted to collaborating with producer Biu Hill ( Ratt , Warrant and Winger ). In 1985, the Midnite Dynamite album was released, which included the hard-rock single of the same name and funk-rock songs “Cold Shower” and “Sex”. The album also included the song “Bang Bang (Balls of Fire),” composed by Parnell and Kip Winger. Winger was not the only outside musician to help create the album. Session drummer Anton Fig played two songs, and guitarist Mike Slamer (Streets / City Boy / Warrant) also appeared on two songs, which helped to give the band a new sound. With this new sound, Kix is at the forefront of heavy metal , along with Warrant, Poison and Ratt.
In 1988, the album Blow My Fuse was released , with which the group received its first and last “platinum”. The Power Ballad “Don’t Close Your Eyes”, urging you not to commit suicide, was released in 1989 as a single with a companion clip and made it to the 11th line of the Billboard Hot 100 chart [3] . The songs "Cold Blood" and "Blow My Fuse" were also released as singles, with video clips shot during a concert at Hammerjack. In 1989, the group released the VHS-cassette Blow My Fuse: The Videos , which included landscape clips and backstage filming. Kix switched from club performances to large arenas where they performed as a warm-up act in front of such popular bands as Ratt.
In 1991, the album Hot Wire was released . A single for the song “Girl Money” was released in his support. In 1992, guitarist Brian Forsyth was replaced by Jimi Kay Bons. During their performance at the University of Maryland, taking place as part of the 1992 tour, the band recorded their first live album, released in 1993 and simply named Live . In 1994, Atlantic Records terminated the contract with the band. In 1995, the band released their last album $ how Bu $ ine $$ via CMC International, and then split up.
For the 2016th year, based on the news on the group’s website, their creative work continues.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Kix (1981) (on some 1980 releases)
- Cool Kids (1983) (on some 1982 releases)
- Midnite Dynamite (1985) (on some 1984 releases)
- Blow My Fuse (1988) (on some 1987 releases) (US # 46)
- Hot Wire (1991) (US # 67)
- $ how Bu $ ine $$ (1995)
- Rock Your Face Off (2014)
Live Albums
- Live (1993) also known as Contractual Obligation Live
Collections
- The Essentials (2002) (compilation of 12 songs)
- Thunderground (2004) (compilation of demos)
- Rhino Hi-Five (2006) (five-song compilation)
Guest participation
- Monster Metal Power Ballads (2006 - “ Still Loving You ” ( Scorpions cover), designated “ Still Lovin 'You ” by Steve Whiteman)
- Monster Ballads: Platinum Edition (2006, retail version - “Don't Close Your Eyes” song)
- Monster Ballads: Platinum Edition (2005, exclusive version - “Don't Close Your Eyes” song)
- Leppardmania: A Tribute to Def Leppard (2000 - song “ Foolin ' ” ( Def Leppard cover))
- Monster Ballads (1999 - “Don't Close Your Eyes” song)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart position | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard hot 100 | Mainstream Rock Tracks | |||
| 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" | eleven | sixteen | ||
| "Cold Blood" | - | - | ||
| "Blow My Fuse" | - | - | ||
| 1991 | "Girl Money" | - | 26 | Hot wire |
Videography
- Blow My Fuse: The Videos (1989)
Notes
- ↑ Franck, John allmusic (((Kix> Biography))) . Allmusic . Date of treatment March 29, 2010. Archived February 22, 2012.
- ↑ Top 20 Hair Metal Albums of the Eighties - Guitar World . Guitar World . Date of treatment March 29, 2010. Archived February 22, 2012.
- ↑ 1 2 Billboard singles of Kix at Allmusic.com
- ↑ Billboard albums of Kix at Allmusic.com