Excerpt from Sunday Old School:

Kix were popular in the glam scene, yet under the radar band that had minor success in the eighties. In fact, they were around before the second round of glam acts (SEE: Poison, Warrant, etc…) and many feel had their stage show stolen by these bands. Regardless, their sleazy style of music (which was never really glam) and their great live shows this was always a “band’s band” and didn’t reach the commercial success of others (SEE: Poison, Warrant, etc…).

The band was formed in Hagerstown, Maryland. They 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 Jimmy Chalfant (drums). Their debut single was "The Itch," and other early tunes such as "Sex" and "Cold Shower" gained the band the reputation of being harder and having more of a sense of humor than some of the other bands out West in Hollywood. Brad Divenswould replaced Younkins for the ‘Cool Kids’ album, but Ronnie would return for the following tour.

Kix put out a video for the song “Cool Kids” that features the band mates running into each other on the street and then playing a concert for their fans. The initial street scene is very typical eighties with lines of big hair fans waiting to see a rock show. The video showcases how Kix reaches out to their fans with a “hey man, we’re all in this together” attitude. My assumption is this bond eventually led to “So who’s got cocaine?” In addition to a great use of steps for guitar solos and jumping during a chorus the video makes a general statement that life is fun, until the cops show up.

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David S. Grant is an author of several books, rock columnist, travel writer, and NBA blogger. Follow David on Twitter: .david_s_grant