KIX

Kix (stylized as KIX) was an American hard rock band formed in 1976 in Hagerstown, Maryland. The band achieved popularity during the 1980s, with its classic lineup consisting of Donnie Purnell on bass, keyboards, backing vocals, primary songwriting, and co-leadership; Ronnie "10/10" Younkins on guitar; Brian "Damage" Forsythe on guitar; Steve Whiteman on lead vocals and co-leadership; and Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant on drums and backing vocals. Kix initially performed covers of Aerosmith, April Wine, Led Zeppelin, and other artists before signing with Atlantic Records in 1981. The band continued to record and tour until its disbandment in 2023.

The band's early years included several lineup changes. Brian Forsythe initially played drums before switching to guitar, and the band's first permanent formation included Donnie Purnell, Ronnie Younkins, and other local musicians. Drummer Jimmy Chalfant joined in 1979, completing what became the classic lineup. The band briefly performed under the names Tee and Tunes and The Generators before returning to KIX. The self-titled debut album, "Kix" (1981), featured live favorites including "Atomic Bombs," "The Itch," "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah," and "Love at First Sight." Their second album, "Cool Kids" (1983), included the single "Body Talk," a cover of a Nick Gilder song, and featured guitarist Brad Divens during Younkins’ temporary departure.

Kix returned to a harder rock style with the 1985 album "Midnite Dynamite," produced by Beau Hill and co-written with Bob Halligan Jr. Singles from the album included "Midnite Dynamite" and "Cold Shower," both of which charted on the Hot Mainstream Rock chart. In 1988, the band released "Blow My Fuse," which went platinum and included the Bob Halligan Jr. co-written power ballad "Don't Close Your Eyes," reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also featured singles "Cold Blood" and "Blow My Fuse." A live album, "Live," was recorded during a 1992 performance and released in 1993. Subsequent albums included "$how Bu$ine$$" (1995) after the band left Atlantic Records.

Band members pursued side projects during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Steve Whiteman formed Funny Money, Brian Forsythe performed with Deep Six Holiday and later joined Rhino Bucket, and Ronnie Younkins participated in Jeremy and the Suicides and founded the Blues Vultures. Jimmy Chalfant joined Whiteman in Funny Money in 2003, which contributed to the eventual Kix reunion.

Kix reformed in 2003 without Donnie Purnell, with Mark Schenker joining as bassist. The band signed with Frontiers Records in 2012 and released a live CD/DVD, "Live in Baltimore." In 2014, the band released "Rock Your Face Off," their first studio album in 19 years, which debuted at number 49 on the Billboard Top 200 and received positive reviews. Kix continued performing at festivals, including headlining the Rockingham Festival in 2017.

Original Shooze drummer Donnie Spence died in 2018. That same year, the band released a 30th anniversary edition of "Blow My Fuse," titled "Fuse 30 Reblown," remixed by Beau Hill. In 2020, "Midnight Dynamite" was digitally re-released as "Midnight Dynamite Re-Lit." Guitarist Ronnie Younkins took a leave of absence from touring in 2020, with Bob Paré performing live in his place. Drummer Jimmy Chalfant experienced a cardiac event in 2022, with Matt Starr filling in temporarily.

Kix announced their disbandment in May 2023 following a final performance at the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland. The final show included appearances by former members, including Ronnie Younkins and Brad Divens.

Studio albums Kix (1981) Cool Kids (1983) Midnite Dynamite (1985) Blow My Fuse (1988) Hot Wire (1991) $how Bu$ine$$ (1995) Rock Your Face Off (2014)