A Week of Kix (and Friends) Hot Wire Classic Album Review

If you are looking for one of the ten best Glam albums of the classic era - look no further than Hot Wire. Kix released the album in 1991. One look at that date and you know where I'm heading: Hot Wire got lost in the grunge a' love shuffle. Damn shame too.










Track list:

Hot Wire
Girl Money
Luv-a-Holic
Tear Down the Walls
Bump the La La
Rock and Roll Overdose
Cold Chills
Same Jane
Pants on Fire (Liar, Liar)
Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush

Every song on this disc is a chameleon, but stays true to Glam roots. The production is top notch - probably the best of all the Kix albums. I would say this is because the band had some money after Blow My Fuse - except they had such a horrible contract with Atlantic, I'm not sure this is the case. Also, Atlantic shoved them to some off-shoot division for Hot Wire anyway. Way to be supportive big record executives!

It's hard to pick a favorite song on Hot Wire so I won't limit myself to just one. I love the album's title track, "Tear Down the Walls," "Cold Chills," and "Same Jane."

"Tear Down the Walls" is better than "Don't Close Your Eyes" when it comes to a ballad. In fact, "Tear Down the Walls" might just be one of the best power ballads of the entire genre. Too bad the only people that know the song are the people who read Bring Back Glam! everyday.

"Cold Chills" has a 60s war protest - meets Rolling Stones vibe. The song is downright creepy and that is why it is unique. Yeah, "Cold Chills" is Glam, but with many layers. The lyrics are more complicated than traditional Kix - there's a story going on here, people. I'm listening to the song again while I write this review. I swear "Paint it Black" is going on under the Kix riff. I'm going to investigate the origins of this song, but I digress. By the way, you can also hear "Cold Chills" on the Wayne's World soundtrack.

Now, "Same Jane" rocks my world. I like the promo video for the track, too. While "Tear Down the Walls" and "Cold Chills" deviate a little from the Glam path, "Same Jane" steers the east coast boys right back on the big hair track. No over thinking here - just a fun rock song and a live standard.

The album's title track has that heavy introduction - a reason why the band usually plays this song first live. You've probably seen the video for "Hot Wire." The song is, after all, one of the band's most famous.

You know, there are days when I just wish I was better at anything. Remember kids, I play bass. I can barely play one chord on my husband's guitar, the old joke being that bass players are stupid because we only have (traditionally) four strings to manage. I'll admit picking up a six string guitar flusters me. Still, I sometimes have a random dream that I'll walk into my neighborhood Guitar Center, pick up an axe and play the beginning of "Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush" and walk out. Sure, that's irrational. Those people at Guitar Center make me feel inadequate! Anyway, this fantasy should tell you I hold "Hee Bee Jee Bee Crush" in high regard. The blues introduction is great and more advanced than I'll ever be able to master.

You can purchase Hot Wire here.

Here's the video for "Hot Wire:"

Here's "Same Jane:"

Here's "Tear Down the Walls" (and no, this isn't a video - just the song):

A Week of Kix (and Friends): Funny Money Album Review

The chance of Kix recording a new album seems pretty bleak these days. This isn't to say much of the band isn't working on new music. In fact, all members of Kix are involved in active side projects. Today, we'll look at Steve Whiteman's side project Funny Money. The other members of Funny Money are guitarist Rob Galpin, bassist Mark Schenker  and drummer Jimmy Chalfant.  Mark and Jimmy are both members of Kix as well. 

Funny Money has four albums, the most recent is Stick It, released in 2007. In addition to his bass duties, Mark produced and engineered the disc. Beau Hill did the mixing. The album tracks:

By The Balls
Hot On Your Heels
Crush
Big Bang Boom
All Tied Up
Fool's Confession
Slow To Blow
Nowhere At All
Play Me Like A Rhythm
Thousand Thank Yous
Weeds And Roses
About Women

I hear "By the Balls" a lot on XM 41 "The Boneyard." In fact, the first time I heard the song I thought it was Kix. To be honest, the entire album sounds like Kix period, but that is to be expected when  the singer has such a  distinct voice.

There are a lot of great tracks here. Some of my favorites are "All Tied Up," "About Women," and "Big Bang Boom." These tracks in particular feature a nice, crunchy guitar tone. Over all, Stick It has a big sound, fairly close to Hot Wire and Blow My Fuse.

Steve Whiteman's voice is interesting. I'm not really sure how he hits his high notes, but Stick It proves that he still has his talent. There doesn't seem to be any straining here - and you and I both know that some of our favorite Glam artists just don't sound as good as they did back in the day.

"Slow to Blow" is good and bluesy. The track also features one of Steve's signature "talk raps." The other day my husband had an epiphany. He said "You know, every Kix song is about sex." I just snickered and said, "Listen to Funny Money, too!"

The bottom line is that Stick It is just fun, basic rock n' roll. There's a lot of energy here and the album just sounds good. Isn't that all any of us want at the end of the day?

Click here to order Funny Money releases and to see tour dates.

Here's Funny Money performing "By the Balls" live last year.

A Week of Kix (and Friends): Midnite Dynamite Classic Review

A week of Kix (and friends) picks up steam today as we look back at one of the band's classic albums.  Kix released Midnite Dynamite in 1985. The record features many of the band's most famous songs - including my favorite "Cold Shower." To refresh your memory, the track listing:

Midnite Dynamite
Red Hot (Black & Blue)
Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)
Layin' Rubber
Walkin' Away
Scarlet Fever
Cry Baby
Cold Shower
Lie Like a Rug
Sex

A lot of people compare Kix to AC/DC, but I think with Midnite Dynamite, the band sounds a little more like Aerosmith. Maybe it's the blues and the harmonica...or maybe it's just because this album is near perfection from start to finish.

Now, I'm sure you already know "Cold Shower," "Sex," and the album's title track if you stumbled across this website. Do you know the ballad "Walkin' Away?" It has that quintessential 80s movie song feel. I mean, seriously. "Walkin' Away" sounds like it would fit right on the soundtrack of Working Girl. The song is, after all, just that good. To the naysayers, yes "Walkin' Away" sounds more dated than a lot of other Kix tunes. I dare you to write a better song - and I'm pretty sure you can't play the guitar solo, either.

Kip Winger fans already know he helped write "Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)." This song could have been a single - if the record buying public had bothered to pay attention to Midnite Dynamite in the first place. A quick search of the Recording Industry Association of America's(RIAA) online database tells me that Kix only has one platinum record to their credit - for Blow My Fuse. That award distinction was granted in 2000. I would think that Midnite Dynamite would have earned at least gold status by now, but I guess I was wrong. 

I just told you that "Cold Shower" is my favorite Kix tune - so it stands to reason it's also my favorite track on Midnite Dynamite. The track is a bizarre little ditty with some rock-rap and a cappella moves thrown in for good measure. Plus, the bass is very prominent.

I've only seen Kix in concert twice, but I'll venture out on a limb here and guess that "Sex" has been a live staple since this album was released all those years ago. You know, songs can be good on different levels. Sometimes the track has good writing and less than stellar solos. Sometimes the guitar parts are much stronger than the lyrics, thus allowing the band to hide behind the actual music. "Sex" is a song that translates well, both on recording and live. Obviously by the title, there's no complicated discussion going on here - just a darn good song and brilliant choice to end Midnite Dyanmite.

If you like 70s rock, then you probably like (or will learn to love) "Lie Like a Rug." The song sounds like it was written for an arena performance - and maybe it was! This song is gritty and Midnite Dynamite over all is just more in-your-face than, say, Blow My Fuse. I like my Glam dirty and on the rocks. 

You can purchase Midnite Dynamite here.

Here's the video for "Cold Shower:"

A Week of Kix (and Friends)

It's high time I did another special series around here - and this go 'round we're focusing on Kix - and all the affiliated bands such as Funny Money, The Blues Vultures and Rhino Bucket.

It's interesting how I came to fall in love with Kix. I was always aware of Kix and that "Don't Close Your Eyes" was the band's biggest single. I also knew a few other tunes, but since I'm not from the east coast and the band never got really huge, I was largely in the dark to their sheer brilliance. Then came Rocklahoma 2008.

Rocklahoma 2008 had a whole lot of mishaps, but one very positive outcome: the world learned to love Kix. It's about time.

Since that hot July night when I stood in the pouring rain with thousands of other rock fans watching Baltimore's finest on stage, I've taken the time to really get to know Kix. Since that initial Rocklahoma performance, I've had the chance to see Kix again at Rock the Bayou. The second performance was just as special as the first. As we all know, this is rare: usually your first time at anything is the most memorable.

As I truly discover this classic Glam band all over again, I can't help but be reminded of when I was learning to love music in the first place. It's so bizarre: at 29 years old, I feel like I'm in grade school again. I went from feeling a little musically empty right before Rocklahoma to fulfilled at finally finding another band I can truly relate to on a very personal level. Sure some of the lyrics are misogynistic and I'm about as radical feminist as you can get - but this is a barrier that doesn't seem to matter when looking at the bigger picture.

I'm a writer at my core. I've always used written words to express how I really feel, but in this instance I fear my skills my fail me. Learning to love Kix has been an exercise in peaceful happiness. In a lot of ways, the band's music has kept me alive the past few weeks. Do not take what I just wrote lightly. I mean everything I write here to the fullest extent of my being.

I get a lot of criticism, both online and in life for being so passionate about certain bands. I feel for people who have not experienced the calm that a favorite song can provide. I'll be honest: I get tired of Aerosmith and Motley Crue, but they are still my favorites. In those rotations of angst, I allow myself some time to explore. This time I explored Kix. In the interim I discovered a new favorite band. Please believe, bands do not simply become my "favorite."

When we exercise, laugh, touch a loved one or even do drugs - our brains go through a chemical explosion to create the feeling of bliss. This "bliss" explodes in most of us when we watch a favorite band perform. Go to enough shows (or festivals) and this reaction can be 100% intoxicating. The musical overload can also numb your sensory perception, leaving you bored - or worse - burned out.

I was burned out for awhile. Exhausted with life really. Kix sort of helped me through a rough time and now I want to thank them for their music and for keeping me almost sane.

I hope you will join me in the week ahead as we explore classic albums, side projects and live performances. The week will cap with my live review of the Kix show in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday.

For now, we'll watch a couple of live Kix videos. One thing everyone should agree upon is that Kix are a great live act. Poison may have stolen their moves - but not their thunder.

Here is "Don't Close Your Eyes" at Rock the Bayou:

Here is "Sex" from a live show in 2007:

...And just for grins, here's the jumbotron opening no one got to see at Rocklahoma because of the rain:

Jani Lane Really Out of Warrant

Twenty-four hours ago, we started hearing rumors of Jani Lane getting dumped by the rest of Warrant. Well, now it's official: he's out.

The rest of Warrant has replaced Jani with Robert Mason of Big Cock.

Jani is an addict and he needs help. That's all I have to say about that issue. I'm not - nor have I ever been - an addict, so it is not my place to judge or criticize. I thank Jani for writing some of the best songs of the Glam genre. I think he truly needs a break.

Warrant performed at Rock the Bayou just days ago. You can read my review of the performance in the archive. Yes, the show was terrible. Here is the proof that presumably sent the rest of Warrant over the edge:

Out With the Old, In With the... Old?

Motley Crue are set to reissue their catalog  - again. The remastered discs will hit stores on September 30. Of course, these albums will be a giant waste of money if you already own the Crucial Crue collection. After hearing of plans to remaster the back catalog, which includes Shout at the Devil and Too Fast for Love among others - I couldn't help but think maybe Glam fans are closed minded.

I've been working on Bring Back Glam! for well over two years now. In that time, I've brought you show reviews, breaking news, interviews, rare videos and CD reviews. Of those CD reviews, some have been on classic discs but most are on new releases. Some of those new releases are from emerging bands. I've noticed an interesting pattern with my CD reviews.

When I review a classic album by, say, Def Leppard, a whole lot of you chime in and tell me stories of your childhood or when you saw the band with friends. The memories are warm and tangible. Yes, we deal in nostalgia here. We also deal in happiness.

Sometimes you listen when I mention a new favorite band. Most of you know I love Alabama's own Lynam. Some of you agree, a lot of you don't and that is ok - as long as you give them a shot. On the days I post reviews by new or obscure bands, I notice the number of comments go way down. I wonder if this is because you don't have anything to add - or because you don't care about new music?

Think about this: when a classic Glam band makes new music, a lot of us in our special community here get really excited. Sure, a lot of people were interested in hearing the new Motley Crue disc - but how many can say that about the new Dokken or White Lion? I can point to 15 websites where people just like you and me leave comments begging a favorite band for new music. When that band finally breaks down and brings us a few new tunes - no one buys the release! What gives?

For ages now, all of us (and yes, I'm including myself here) have been begging for a Poison record of all new material. Most of us are sick of the same old set list and we basically agree that a few new tunes could breathe new life into one of our favorite summer tours. Problem is, when the band in question makes a new record - no one wants to hear the songs in concert. You might recall I recently saw Def Leppard here in Dayton. The show was not good by any means, but I did feel a little twinge of guilt when the band performed some Songs from the Sparkle Lounge. The crowd was basically dead from the get go - but imagine what happened when Joe Elliot and company added in new songs that very few people recognized. Disaster.

So, I ask again: are Glam fans close minded? Do we honestly want new Glam? I sure as hell support both new and old bands. I'll get on a plane and fly halfway around the world to do it, too. I also realize I'm in the lucky minority that is fortunate enough to be able to travel to see shows.

Few of us are actually scared of new music. Instead, we would rather embrace those fond memories of days past. I mean, why else would I create a website called Bring Back Glam!? The bands we talk about everyday here had a major impact on my life. Music was always a big part of my childhood. I mean, when your mom gives you a Bon Jovi 45 at age nine, you know you're destined to be a rock n' roll queen.

This is why I'm worried: if more of us don't start supporting the new Glam bands, I fear the genre is going to die. Are we closed minded? Maybe a little - but unintentionally. I think on some subconscious level, we don't want to replace our favorites. After all, this music is just about the second love of my life. I wouldn't be the same person without a childhood filled with Aerosmith videos and Metal Edge magazines. I hope the next generation of Glam fans has the same fond memories that I've enjoyed. Thoughts?

Another Look at Enuff Z' Nuff

I've never been a giant Enuff Z' Nuff fan. My friends and regular readers can and will attest to this fact. Still, I found myself duly impressed with the band's performance this past weekend at Rock the Bayou.

For some reason, I always cringed at the song "Fly High Michelle." This time around I stood and really listened to the music. Last night I found myself looking up Enuff Z' Nuff videos on YouTube. You know what? "Fly High Michelle" is actually a pretty great song!

Musicianship aside, Chip Z' Nuff seems like an alright guy. He's been at both Rocklahoma festivals as well as Rock the Bayou. In each instance, he always seemed happy to hop on a golf cart, ride out into the crowd and chat with fans. I love when musicians are not afraid to mingle with their bread and butter.

I really enjoyed the Enuff Z' Nuff's set - the band sounded great! Donnie Vie is always amusing on stage and this was true at Rock the Bayou. I don't know if it was planned or fake, but the band did seem to be "winging it" a little. Donnie kept asking "What is next?" This didn't seem to hurt the show any. All songs were tight.

My favorite part of the set was when the band played a cover of "Come Together." Guess what? Someone filmed the performance and it is already on YouTube. Watch for yourself.

"Come Together"

"High"

How do you feel about Enuff Z' Nuff? I don't own any Enuff Z' Nuff albums, so if you are a big fan, please point me in the right direction.