Kix

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Biography

Kix is an United States|American hard rock / heavy metal music|heavy metal band who achieved popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Band members continue to tour, recently appearing 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

Formation

Kix was started by Ronnie Younkins and songwriter Donnie Purnell in Dec. of 1977 in Hagerstown, Maryland .

Early years

In 1981, they released their self-titled debut album, Kix (album)|Kix , featuring "Atomic Bombs", "Heartache", "Contrary Mary", "The Itch", and "The Kid". "Love at First Sight" instantly became a concert favorite. "Kix Are for Kids" creatively merged the name of the band with two popular cereals of the 1960s and 1970s, Kix (cereal)|Kix (that featured an atomic bomb commercial) and the Trix (cereal)|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|rock & 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," the glorious "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 horrendous 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 featured a great single, "Cold Shower," and some other notable cuts like "Sex" and "Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)."

Then a funny thing happened on the way to album number three. As the band got ready for a brief West Coast jaunt, the boys kept hearing some fishy stuff about another young, good looking frontman by the name of Brett Michaels. The big hoopla around town was that the young upstart was said to have stolen singer Steve Whiteman's stage act. Rumor became fact and here is why: prior to Poison relocating to Los Angeles, the band had often come out to see Kix perform live. Now local heroes in their own right, it was clear that Michaels had more than borrowed a few stage moves from the charismatic Kix singer. Sadly, when Kix got the opportunity to open for Poison at L.A.'s Country Club, their worse fears materialized as they stood in stunned silence watching a younger, better looking, musically challenged Poison from the side of the stage. The band had not only stolen Whiteman's stage moves, they'd just about stolen their entire stage act from underneath them.

Commercial success

In 1982, guitarist Ronnie "10/10" Younkins was fired and replaced by Brad Divens ( Souls at Zero (band)|Souls at Zero / Wrathchild America ), Their 1983 followup, Cool Kids , showcased a markedly more commercial side of the band, featuring the title song, and the single "Body Talk".

During this period, Kix played a concert at Magic Elm Skateland in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

In 1983, having been gone for slightly less than a year, Ronnie "10/10" Younkins returned to Kix, reuniting the "classic" lineup.

Kix then partnered up with Ratt|RATT , Warrant (American band)|Warrant and Winger (band)|Winger producer, Beau Hill , and in 1985, released the album Midnite Dynamite , featuring a hard rock single by the same name and funk rock songs "Cold Shower" and "Sex". The album also included the song "Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)", which was co-written by Purnell and Kip Winger . Outside players such as Session musician|session drummer Anton Fig who played on two tracks,as well as Mike Slamer ( Streets (band)|Streets / City Boy (band)|City Boy / Warrant (American band)|Warrant ) who receives credit for additional guitars helped redefine the band's sound. With this new sound Kix would now be at the forefront of the Hair Metal genre alongside contemporaries Warrant,Poison and Winger.
Kix went back into the studio to record more of Donnie Purnell's songs. In 1988, they released Blow My Fuse , and finally achieved fame as it went platinum. The slow ballad "Don't Close Your Eyes"—containing anti-suicide lyrics—led the way (peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100) and other popular cuts followed. The album featured the popular singles "Cold Blood" and "Blow My Fuse", along with popular videos showing the band in concert at Hammerjack's . In 1989, the band released Blow My Fuse: The Videos , with their now-popular videos and behind-the-scenes footage. As Kix finally graduated to arenas, they opened for such popular artists as RATT.

The album Hot Wire (Kix 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 (Kix album)|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 final album, Show Business (album)|Show Business , on CMC International .

Side projects

In 1996, Steve Whiteman formed a band called Funny Money (band)|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, Maryland|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 of the United States|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 .

Recent events

A new version Kix reformed in late 2003 sans songwriter and band leader Purnell. Kix then lined-up reunion shows for September 2004, the lineup consisting of Steve Whiteman (lead vocals), Ronnie "10/10" Younkins (guitars), Brian "Damage" Forsythe (guitars, backing vocals), Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant (drums, backing vocals), and Funny Money bassist Mark Schenker (bass, backing vocals) in place of Donnie Purnell.

Band members

Current members

Steve Whiteman – Lead Vocals (1978–1995, 2003–present)

Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – Lead Guitar (1979–1982, 1983–1995, 2003–present)

Brian "Damage" Forsythe – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals (1978–1993, 1994–1995, 2003–present)

Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – Drums, Backing Vocals (1979–1995, 2003–present)

Mark Schenker - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals (2003–present)

Former members

Donnie Purnell – Songwriting, bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1978–1995)

Brad Divens – lead guitars, talk box, backing vocals (1982–1983)

Pat DeMent – lead guitars (1995)

Jimi K. Bones – rhythm guitars (1992)

Donnie Spence – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–1979)

Session members

Anton Fig – drums, percussion on Midnite Dynamite (1985 — 2 tracks)

Mike Slamer – guitars on Midnite Dynamite (1985 — 1 track)

John Luce – backing vocals on Midnite Dynamite (1985 — track "Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)")

Paul Chalfant – viola on Show Business (album)|$how Bu$ine$$ (1995 — multiple tracks)

Lineups

(1978) The Shooze Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars Donnie Purnell – bass
(1978) The Shooze Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Donnie Spence – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1978–1979) The Shooze Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Donnie Spence – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1979) The Shooze Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1980) The Generators Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1980–1982) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1982–1983) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Brad Divens – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1983–1988) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1988–1992) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals Jimi K. Bones – guitars
(1992–1993) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1993–1994) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1994–1995) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1995) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Brian "Damage" Forsythe Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals Pat DeMent – guitars
(1995) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Donnie Purnell – bass, keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals
(1995–2003)(Kix disbanded)
(2003–2004) Kix Steve Whiteman Ronnie "10/10" Younkins Brian "Damage" Forsythe Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant Mark Schenker
(2004–present) Kix Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone, percussion Ronnie "10/10" Younkins – guitars, talk box, backing vocals Brian "Damage" Forsythe – guitars, guitar synthesizer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals Mark Schenker – bass, backing vocals

Discography

Studio albums

Kix (album)|Kix (1981) in some places 1980

Cool Kids (1983) in some places 1982

Midnite Dynamite (1985) in some places 1984

Blow My Fuse (1988) in some places 1987 (US #46)

Hot Wire (Kix album)|Hot Wire (1991) (US #67)

Show Business (album)|$how Bu$ine$$ (1995)

Live albums

Live (Kix album)|Live (1993) also known as Contractual Obligation Live

Compilations

The Essentials (2002) (12 songs compilation)

Thunderground (2004) (80 demo songs compilation)

Rhino Hi-Five (2006) (5 songs compilation)

Guest appearances

Monster Metal Power Ballads (2006 — track " Still Loving You " ( Scorpions (band)|Scorpions cover), credited as " Still Loving You|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
Year	Title	Billboard Hot 100	Mainstream Rock Tracks	Album
1983	"Body Talk"	–	–	Cool Kids
1985	"Midnite Dynamite"	–	–	Midnite Dynamite
1985	"Cold Shower"	–	–	Midnite Dynamite
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)

Copyright Citations

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Kix Photo by: www.sleazeroxx.com


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