Rock Hard Forever: KIX

Kix were one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. They never really got the respect they deserved, but did manage to have some minor success in the late 80's. Their great live shows (many feel their stage moves were later stolen by Poison) and sleazy AC/DC style of metal should have made them one of the biggest bands of the day, but it never happened.

The band was formed in 1978 in Hagerstown, Maryland, and were known as the Shooze and Generators before solidifying the line-up and becoming Kix. By the time they got a major label deal, the band comprised of Steve Whiteman (vocals), Ronnie Younkins (guitar), Brian Forsythe (guitar), Donnie Purnell (bass and creative leader) and Jimmy Chalfant (drums). They were considered one of Maryland's top cover bands prior to their signing with Atlantic in 1981.Their debut single was "The Itch," and other early tunes such as "Sex" and "Cold Shower" were relentless and took no prisoners. Brad Divens would replace Younkins for the Cool Kids album, but Ronnie would return for the following tour.

The release of Blow My Fuse would see the band finally get national attention. For a short while they became MTV darlings and would reach the Billboard Top 50, propelled by the success of the ballad "Don't Close Your Eyes." The next album was nowhere near as big (although just as exceptional), and half way through the supporting tour Forsythe would quit and be replaced by Jimmi K. Bones.

By 1994 the band had lost its record label contract, and released the next album on the fledgling CMC International with Forsythe back on guitar. Pat DeMent replaced Forsythe for the tour, but it would be the bands last gigs. In early 1996 the band officially announced their break-up, and the members went their separate ways. Whiteman went on to front the heavily Kix influenced band called Funny Money while Forsythe showed up in Rhino Bucket.

Steve Whiteman would re-emerge as the lead vocalist for local Hagerstown band Funny Money, with whom he continues to work. Jimmy Chalfant joined Funny Money as their drummer. Whiteman also teaches voice at the Musician's Institute in Baltimore, and Triple R Guitar in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. Ronnie 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 Forsythe plays in The Snakehandlers, and has recently been on tour as the guitar player of Rhino Bucket, joining the band in 2001. Brian performs lead guitar on Rhino Bucket's 2005 release And Then It Got Ugly.

Steve Whiteman, Ronnie Younkins, Brian Forsythe, and Jimmy Chalfant have teamed up a few times a year for the last few years to do Kix reunion shows in the Maryland/Pennsylvania area that have been very well-received. To date, Donnie Purnell has refused to participate in any of the Kix reunion shows. On March 5, 2008 it was announced that KIX would participate in the Rocklahoma festival.

Current Members

Steve Whiteman - lead vocals, saxophone, harmonica, percussion, tambourine (1978-1995, 2003-present)
Ronnie "10/10" Younkins - lead & rhythm guitars, talk box, backing vocals (1978-1982, 1983-1995, 2003-present)
Brian "Damage" Forsythe - lead & rhythm guitars, guitar synthesizer (1978-1993, 1994-1995, 2003-present)
Mark Schenker - bass, backing vocals (2003-present)
Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant - drums, percussion, backing vocals 1979?(1978-1995, 2003-present)

Former Members

Donnie Purnell - bass, keyboards, piano, electric piano, synthesizer, backing vocals (1978-1995)
Brad Divens - lead & rhythm guitars, talk box, backing vocals (1982-1983)
Pat DeMent - lead & rhythm guitars (1995)
Jimi K. Bones - lead & rhythm guitars (1992)
David "Stargazer" Bumbalough - lead & rhythm guitars (1978-1980)
Donnie Spence - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978-1980)

Discography

Rhino Hi-Five: Kix 2006
Thunderground 2004
The Essentials 2002
Show Business 1995
Kix Live 1993
Hot Wire 1991
Cool Kids 1989
Blow My Fuse 1988
Midnight Dynamite 1985
Kix 1981

Official Website: http://www.kix-band.com/

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Dont Close Your Eyes