Kix – Live in Baltimore
Label: Frontiers
Release date: September 25, 2012
It’s been 35 years since Donnie Purnell founded the band that would go on to be known as Kix. The Baltimore quintet, formerly known as The Shooz released its debut album as Kix in 1981. Some three decades later, fans finally get a live CD/DVD.
While it’s been ages since the band’s last studio effort, Kix has always been a dynamic and bombastic live act. A contractual obligation resulted in a 1993 live release, but Live in Baltimore gives fans the audio, the video, the sweat and swagger, and all the raw magic of a Kix show.
The band wisely chose to return to its hometown of Baltimore, Maryland to record and film this beast at The Rams Head. In fact the band will return for another show the week of this album’s release (Sept. 22).
Bassist and songwriter Donnie Purnell retired when the band went on hiatus in 1995, but the other original members of the seminal line-up remain intact since the band’s 2003 reformation. Flamboyant and energetic vocalist Steve Whiteman hasn’t lost a step, drummer Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant remains a thunderous and solid presence, and the twin guitar attack of Brain “Damage” Forsythe and Ronnie “10/10” Younkins is as electrifying as ever. Mark Schenker, who worked with Whiteman in Funny Money took over bass duties in 2003, and his presence rumbles through every track on this CD/DVD.
While the band has often been labeled as a glam or hair metal band, Kix has always been more of a barroom rocker and dirty boogie outfit in the vein of AC/DC. Those elements shine on Live in Baltimore.
The set kicks off with “No Ring Around Rosie”, one of five tracks from what is arguably the band’s most complete and memorable album, Blow My Fuse (1988). Whiteman wastes no time getting the crowd involved and passing some spittle through his blues harp. From that same studio album, Kix offer up energetic romps through “Blow My Fuse”, “She Dropped Me The Bomb” and “Cold Blood”, as well as the power ballad that broke the band on MTV, “Don’t Close Your Eyes”.
The band returns to its self-titled debut for “Atomic Bombs”, “The Itch”, “Kix Are for Kids”, and a 17-minute finale of “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah”.
From 1985’s Midnite Dynamite fans get “Lie Like a Rug, “Sex” and the title cut, while the band pulled “Same Jane” the title cut, and “Girl Money” from 1991’s Hotwire.
Notably absent were any tracks to represent their final studio effort, Show Business (1995), and only “For Shame” represents their second album, Cool Kids.
One thing that stands out while listening to or watching Live in Baltimore is Whiteman’s enthusiasm and connection with the crowd. Even those unfamiliar with Kix are readily sucked into the vortex of Whiteman’s charisma. Part of that the charm and connection is the very down-to-earth and often tongue-in-cheek manner in which he relates to the crowd.
In 1988, as the band embarked on its tour in support of Blow My Fuse, Kix pulled into Oakland, California for a performance at The Omni. Nearly a quarter century ago, I sat down with Steve on the band’s tour bus for what would become my first interview with a national act. Nervous and filled with trepidation, Whiteman put me instantly at ease with his humor and relaxed sense of self. Steve and the entire group take that “band-next-door” vibe onto the stage with them every night and turn every show into a party.
While Live in Baltimore cannot capture all the Kix excitement and energy it gets pretty damn close. If you prefer your live albums full of overdubs, this won’t be the album for you. The band lays it all out here, warts and all, and you can practically smell the sweat ooze through your speakers. From Steve interacting with the crowd and honking on his harmonica, to the high-powered rhythmic performances Mark and Jimmy, and the aggressive and spirited fretwork of Ronnie and Brian, it’s all here in blood, sweat and beers — Kix – Live in Baltimore!
Rating: 8.4/10
Certain tracks are only available on specific versions of the album. See the full breakdown below:
Live in Baltimore will be released in a CD/DVD configuration with the following tracklisting :
CD:
‘No Ring Around Rosie’
‘Atomic Bombs’
‘Lie Like A Rug’
‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’
‘Girl Money’
‘Cold Blood’
‘Cold Shower’
‘She Dropped Me The Bomb’
‘Blow My Fuse’
‘Kix Are For Kids’
‘Midnite Dynamite’
‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’
DVD:
‘No Ring Around Rosie’
‘Atomic Bombs’
‘Lie Like A Rug’
‘Sex’
‘The Itch’
‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’
‘Hot Wire’
‘Same Jane’
‘Girl Money’
– Ronnie “10/10” solo –
‘Cold Blood’
– Jimmy “Chocolate” solo –
‘Cold Shower’
‘She Dropped Me The Bomb’
‘Blow My Fuse’
‘Kix Are For Kids’
‘Midnite Dynamite’
‘For Shame’
– Brian “Damage” solo –
‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’
Digital Edition (audio only):
‘No Ring Around Rosie’
‘Atomic Bombs’
‘Lie Like A Rug’
‘Sex’ *
‘The Itch’ *
‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’
‘Hot Wire’ *
‘Girl Money’
‘Cold Blood’
‘Cold Shower’
‘She Dropped Me The Bomb’
‘Blow My Fuse’
‘Kix Are For Kids’
‘Midnite Dynamite’
‘For Shame’ *
‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’ * bonus tracks
