Hagerstown based hard rock band formerly known as the Shooze, then as the Generators. As a house band at the Mountainview Inn in Smithsburg they began to establish a large following. Shooze were also seen at the Sandbar, and Leonardtown Wharf… Members included Donnie Purnell (bass), Brad Divens (guitar), Brian Forsythe (guitar), and Steve Whiteman (drums). Eventually Whiteman became the lead vocalist and a new drummer Jimmy Chalfont joined the group.
When the band obtained their recording contract, they learned that their current name the Generators and former name were both already being used by recording groups. Finally settling on the name KIX in 1981 they went on to earn national recognition in the ‘80s with their hard driving rock sound.
Their first single “The Itch” became a local favorite and charted nationally. Their song “Cold Chills” was featured in the movie “Wayne’s World.”
Divens was later replaced with Ronnie Younkins. In 1985 Pat DeMent replaced Forsythe.
The band was selected to compete in the 1985 MTV “Basement Tapes” contest. They could be seen locally at venues such as Hammerjacks.
Their 1988 album “Blow My Fuse” reached platinum sales status and featured the hit “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” Kix toured nationally with Whitesnake, Ratt, Great White, and Tesla.
In ‘90s guitarist Jimi K. Bones joined KIX.
The group released two albums on Atlantic subsidiary label EastWest Records in the early ‘90s including a final live album in order to fulfill contract obligations. During this time the ‘80s style hair bands were falling out of favor. A subsequent release on the CMC label “Show Business” suffered disappointing sales and the group decided to disband.
Divens was later with Wrathchild, Kirk McEwen Band…. Whiteman fronted the group Funny Money in the ‘00s and taught at the Musician’s Institute in Baltimore. Jimmy Chalfont also played for Funny Money. Younkins went on to play in Mama Kin, Hot Rod, Jeremy & the Suicides (who released the EP “Subway to Success”), and in the ‘00s with the Blues Vultures. DeMent went on to join UXB, and SR-71. Forsythe moved to L.A. where he continued performing with various bands.
Singles by Kix include:
1981 Atlantic 3859 The Itch / Poison
1981 Atlantic 3885 Heartache /
1983 Atlantic 89802 Loco-Emotion / Mighty Mouth
1983 Atlantic 89852 Body Talk / Nice on Ice
1989 Atlantic 88902 Don’t Close Your Eyes / Get It While It’s Hot
Albums by Kix include:
1981 Atlantic 19307 KIX
1983 Atlantic 80056 Cool Kids
1985 Atlantic 81267 Midnight Dynamite
1988 Atlantic 81877 Blow My Fuse
1991 EastWest 91714 Hot Wire
1993 EastWest 82499 Live
1993 CMC 7303 Show Business
