Search - Kix :: Midnite Dynamite

KIX are for Kidz

R Greco | Norfolk, VA | 01/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having grown up in MD and watched KIX as a copy band named Shooze, they always put on an EXCELLENT Live Show. They played much of thier 1st album material in a local night club named Leonardtown Wharf before their first recording contract. Their music was always fun and loud, what Rock-N-Roll is all about. ALL of their releases, Midnight Dynamite included, have that spark with catchy hooks that just reels you in for more of the sound. You gotta have this one!"

Awesome AC/DC-styled rock

Perry M. Koons | Crownsville, MD United States | 06/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kix was one of the pop metal bands that unfortunately slipped under the radar of the record buying public, even those who remember them often just remember the song "Don't Close Your Eyes" from the 1988 album "Blow My Fuse." However, those wanting to know more of the Kix story should check out this awesome slab of AC/DC styled rock.



Kix hailed from Hagerstown, MD, a blue collar town that's close to both western PA as well as West Virginia. I grew up not too far from there, and they played at Hammerjacks in Baltimore a lot, plus they recorded their live album (in 1992 I believe) at the University of Maryland, where I eventually went to school.



Anyhow, as I grew up in Maryland, I always had a little bit of knowledge as to who Kix were, and I thought the snippet of the song "Cold Chills" in the Wayne's World movie was pretty cool. This was the 3rd Kix record, and it blew me away. It was a great blend of the straight-up hard rock of 1988's "Blow My Fuse" with the quirkier elements of the first two records still intact.



If you live near the Baltimore area and get the 97.9 FM station (98 ROCK), you may have even heard the tune "Cold Shower", possibly the first rap-metal tune ever (not of the Limp Bizkit variety though - this one is a lot more fun and lighthearted - and 80's sounding). It still gets played every once in awhile too, a testament to the band's awesome local legacy. Plus you get one of the alltime unsung hard rock ballads in "Walkin' Away" - this album is a must buy for fans of AC/DC, Cheap Trick, early VH, and Hanoi Rocks - great rock bands with good tunes and a good sense of humor. Guitar World also called this one of the 20 essential hair metal albums, which sums it up pretty well.



Best Tracks:

"Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)" - Pretty much AC/DC 101 here, with the cool trivia that this was Kip Winger's first songwriting credit (cowritten with the band).

"Layin' Rubber" - Awesome uptempo hard rocker with a few twists, and of course that ever-so-subtle double entendre.

"Walkin' Away" - Put it this way, this is probably one of the top 20 ballads of all time (in any genre). The lyrics are about as sincere and honest as you can get, and when you think you've got it pegged it switches gears and starts rocking hard.

"Cold Shower" - Hilarious, unique, and should have been a hit.

"Sex" - This song just rocks without question, like a great lost Aerosmith tune. Harmonica, a funky & tricky riff, handclaps, memorable chorus, it's all here. Another should-have-been hit!"

TOTAL DYNAMITE!!!!

Metal Pete | 06/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kix sound was very much in the style of AC/DC, but with their own cheeky cartoon new wave spin. If you don't like 80s hair metal read no further, but if you enjoy Ratt etc YOU MUST HEAR THIS ALBUM!!!
Most fans will tell you that Blow my fuse is the best record Kix made but to me it was the first album which dropped the quirky experimental elements of the first three albums in favour of MTV friendly cack, ripping actual AC/DC riffs left right and center.
The first 2 records went probably a little too heavy on the experimentation and were a bit patchy as a result.
Midnite Dynamite to me is immaculate. It rocks hard from beginning to end. Although it fits into the hair metal mould there is something about this record that sounds fresh and unique even today. There is not one weak cut on this record. The lyrics were not the embarassing trousersnake bravado of their counterparts at all and actually showed a (gasp) sense of humour. Vocalist Steve Whiteman can really sing and has a quite incredible range, from high to incredibly high!
The main strength of hair metal to me was the combination of a heavy metal sound with pop sensibilities, nice melodies and harmonies. This has all these elements in heaps. In my opinion this record should have sold more than anything by Motley Crue, Ratt etc. The story goes that Kix entire show/sound was copied by Poison who then took the credit/success/money. Buy this album- you won't be disappointed and these guys deserve it!"