(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Kix on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 8:00pm. Founded in 1978 in Hagerstown, Maryland as The Shooze, the band then changed its name to The Generators before eventually settling on KIX. They were considered one of Maryland's top cover bands prior to their signing with Atlantic Records in 1981. Though often lumped in with bands that many consider to be glam metal or hair metal, the bands popmetal stylings draw inspiration from bubblegum pop and new wave as well as hard rock.
In 1981, they debuted with a self-titled album “KIX,” featuring "Atomic Bombs," "Heartache," "Contrary Mary," "The Itch," and "The Kid." "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" instantly became a concert favorite. "KIX Are for Kids" creatively merged the name of the band with two popular cereals of the 1960s and 1970s, KIX (that featured an atomic bomb commercial) and the Trix Rabbit (i.e., "Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!"). "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" became the band’s most popular concert song, always with a unique ad-lib performance by Whiteman. With this album, the tongue-in-cheek rock & roll style of KIX was established.
The band headed west to continue to make a name for themselves in such places as the Sunset Strip, where other glam metal bands rose to stardom. KIX quickly became a formidable live band like no other.
In 1988, they released “Blow My Fuse,” and finally achieved fame as it went platinum. KIX regularly opened for such popular artists as Aerosmith and KISS and were on successful tours with Whitesnake, Ratt and Tesla.
In July of 2013, Steve Whiteman and Brian Forsythe appeared as featured guests on the 12th season of VH1’s hugely popular “That Metal Show” television program hosted by Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine and Don Jameson.
In 2014 KIX released their first album in two decades and seventh album overall, “Rock Your Face Off” on Loud & Proud Records produced by Taylor Rhodes (Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne). “Rock Your Face” debuted at #48 on the Billboard Top 200, in addition, “Rock Your Face Off” debuted at #5 on the Independent Albums chart, #11 on the Top Internet chart, #17 on the Top Rock Albums chart, #27 on the Indy/Small Chain Core Stores chart and #33 on the Physical chart. It also debuted at #1 on Amazon’s Hard Rock and Metal chart.
Kix has amassed a massive cult following of fans that turn up in big numbers to see them everywhere they play.
bergenPAC is located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, NJ.
