KIX
Cool Atomic Kix 8CD CLAMSHELL BOX

Hear No Evil Recordings, 8CD clamshell box

Forming in Maryland in 1976, like many of their hard rock contemporaries, KIX started out as a bar band, playing hard rock covers of the day. By the time they signed to Atlantic Records for their 1981 self-titled debut, ‘KIX’ (CD1), the band had settled on the line-up of Steve Whiteman on vocals, Ronnie Younkins and Brian Forsythe on guitar, Donnie Purnell on bass and Jimmy Chalfant on drums. Produced by Tom Allom (Judas Priest, Black Sabbath), KIX’s debut featured many stage favourites, including the singles ‘The Itch’, ‘Heartache’ and ‘Atomic Bombs’. KIX shifted away from their earlier, heavier sound, to a more commercial approach, tailor made for MTV with 1983’s ‘Cool Kids’ (CD2). Produced by Pete Solley (Whitesnake, Ted Nugent), Brad Divens replaced Ronnie Younkins on guitar. Perfectly placed to take advantage of the burgeoning hair metal scene, Ronnie Younkins was back for 1985’s ‘Midnite Dynamite’ (CD3). The album saw KIX collaborating with outside songwriters, most notably Bob Halligan Jr., famed for his work with Judas Priest, and Winger’s Kip Winger. KIX reached something of a commercial peak with 1988’s platinum ‘Blow My Fuse’ (CD4). Featuring the hit power ballad ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’, the album also featured the singles ‘Blow My Fuse’ and the self-explanatory ‘Get It While It’s Hot’. The band moved from Atlantic to East West for 1991’s ‘Hot Wire’ (CD5), notable for its Hugh Syme (Rush) designed sleeve. 1993 saw the release of the inevitable and much demanded ‘Live’ (CD6) album, featuring the KIX classics, ‘Hot Wire’, ‘Same Jane’ and ‘Rock & Roll Overdose’. ‘Demos’ (CD7) features 'Red Lite, Green Lite, TNT', 'Get It While It's Hot' and 'No Ring Around Rosie'. KIX called it a day after 1995, but thankfully reunited in 2003, eventually releasing 2014’s ‘Rock Your Face Off’ which charted at 49 in the Billboard chart and remained there for three weeks, it was KIX’s’ highest charting album since ‘Blow Your Fuse’ (1988). KIX’s final show took place on September 17th, 2023, at the ‘Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, MD. The band’s impressive career lives on in this eight CD box set.