History & Biography Kix was a glam metal band from Maryland, which was formed as The Shooze in 1978. The gang switched over to The Generator before settling for Kix. The band transitioned from a new wave band to punk and to a hard rock cover act during this period. The group – now coming across a mix of Kiss and Motörhead - signed to Atlantic Records and issued a debut in 1981. Guitarist Younkins would be replaced by Brad Divens for one album in 1983, but would soon return. The band then started to expand westwards and play the Los Angeles glam scene. It was later claimed that bands like Warrant, Poison and Guns ‘N Roses had borrowed many of the band’s stylings. Kix was often on the verge of stardom, but would never quite make it all the way. Inadequate touring and a lack of publicity were often cited as reasons for the boys’ second-tier status. Blow My Fuse was the band’s biggest LP and was recorded by Tom Werman who had previously produced Mötley Crüe. Kix opened for Ratt on the road. At one point the band would hire its own dedicated publicist, yet a contractual dispute with the record company in the late ‘80s would bring things to a crawl. Guitarist Forsythe would quit following Hot Wire of 1991 and be replaced by Mr. Bones. Forsythe would return in 1994 for a while. The group would give Atlantic the 1993 Live album and be freed from its obligation to the company.
Kix issued one more album through CMC International, which was collecting name bands at this juncture, before disbanding in 1995. A couple of members would form the part-time hard rock band, Funny Money and issue albums through their co-owned Kivel Records. Despite missing bassist Purnell the band has played several one-off shows over the years. A series of shows were performed in 2006. Kix appeared at the Rocklahoma festival in 2008.
Frontiers Records signed Kix in the middle of 2012. The band's first live DVD and CD was entitled Live In Baltimore and released on September 21st. Kix Was working on a new 2013 album with producer Taylor Rhodes who had worked with Aerosmith. The album was to be released through Frontiers Records in late autumn. The act announced it would release its first new album in years on July 22nd of 2014 with Loud & Proud Records. The band was singer Steve Whiteman, guitarist Ronnie Younkins, bassist Mark Schenker and drummer Jimmy Chalfant.
Kix would release an album called Rock Your Face Off through Loud & Proud Records on August 5th, 2014. It reunited the band for the first new music released in two decades. In a 2015 interview Brian Forsythe noted that Ronnie Younkins was in rehab the year before to receive treatment for alcohol addiction. Kix would release Can't Stop The Show: The Return Of Kix, a two-disc DVD/CD release, through Loud & Proud Records on October 21st 2016. Guitarist Ronnie Younkins missed the band's concert in Pennsylvania, USA on March 25th 2017 after going AWOL. The band played the show without him. Ronnie was later located and was said to not be in a good state. Kix issued a new version of Midnite Dynamite called Midnite Dynamite Re-Lit on the album’s 35th anniversary in 2020. It featured unreleased material such as demo recordings. Kix announced that guitarist Ronnie Younkins was unable to perform in 2021 and would be replaced by a Bob Paré until the long-time member improves. Bob was in a Rush tribute band called Sun Dogs with Kix bassist Mark Schenker. Steve Whiteman had a solo album called You’re Welcome in 2021, which was his catchphrase. Guitarist Ronnie Younkins, in the meantime, was under house arrest due to his interactions with the law recently. Kix cancelled two September 2021 shows as a band member was afflicted by COVID-19. More bad news in the Kix camp followed. Drummer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant suffered a heart attack at home on September 29th 2021. The band marched forward with replacement drummers Will Hunt (Slaughter) for the Monsters On The Mountain in October and John Allen for subsequent concerts. The band was booked for the M3 Rock Festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland in 2022. Jimmy Chalfant collapsed on stage as the band was about to play the last song of a concert in Virginia, USA in November 2022. He was unconscious, was given CPR by Schenker and roadies and was medically attended to for a suspected heart attack. He was released from hospital following a surgery and had a defibrillator/pacemaker installed. The band was booked for the M3 Rock Festival in the USA in 2023. Kix recruited drummer Matt Starr (Mr. Big and Black Swan.) as Jimmy Chalfant continued with his rehabilitation. The band was part of the Monsters Of Rock cruise next. The band announced its retirement soon thereafter and vowed to end it all after a run of 2023 concerts. The band announced it would disband citing the music industry, loss of ability due to age and the Jimmy's near-death experience.. The last concert was at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, USA in September of that year. The concert happened on September 17th and featured former guitarists Ronnie Younkins and Brad Divens joining the current line-up.
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