Today I'm wrapping up my time with Kix with their final release of the decade, Blow My Fuse (1988). I knew nothing about the band before coming across three of their four 80's albums at a used CD shop in December 2025, and while it's been an okay journey through their music, they're definitely not among my favorite hair metal bands.
Despite previous success, it would ultimately be Blow My Fuse which would serve as a breakthrough for the band. This was mainly aided by their number eleven Billboard Hot 100 hit, Don't Close Your Eyes, their first and only Billboard charter. This sudden boost in popularity enabled the band to start playing in arenas.
To further support the album, Kix released Blow My Fuse: The Videos. The VHS featured not only the music videos from the record, but also behind the scenes footage. These types of cassette treasures were commonplace in the 80's, and pure gold to rabid fans who wanted more and more.
Playing through it, you get another straightforward hair metal album. Solid riffs, screechy guitar solos, and raspy vocals.
As the lead single, Don't Close Your Eyes started up, my mind told me, "Oh, I remember this song." Apparently, the reason I'd forgotten it is because it's just okay. I certainly don't see it as a top twenty hit. Regardless, I'll take it, and I'm happy to have it in my ever-expanding collection.
Maybe it's because of their high ranking hit that I'm being more critical of the record than I normally word. However, overall, I just don't see it as all that amazing. Kudos to them if it boosted them to arena status, but I don't personally see Kix as all that amazing. Maybe I could picture them at an arena if they were opening for Bon Jovi or Mötley Crüe, but definitely not headliners.
Regardless of my personal opinions, the band carried on, releasing 1991's Hot Wire. Unfortunately, guitarist Brian "Damage" Forsythe would depart in 1993, replaced by Jimi K. Bones. Forsythe would site financial issues with the record company, and internal band friction which simply made it no more fun to be part of Kix.
The band was dropped by Atlantic Records in 1994, and moved to CMC International for 1995's $how Bu$ine$$. Though this would be their last album for almost twenty years.
The members would go their separate ways, but rumbles began to emerge of a possible reunion in 2003. This involved original members Steve Whiteman, Brian Forsythe, Ronnie Younkins, and Jimmy Chalfant. Final member, Donnie Purnell would not be invited to join the band, with Whiteman explaining the decision was made after, "the most unpleasant and nasty conversation I've ever had in my life," with the bassist. He was replaced by Mark Schenker, and these members remain active in the band to date. Additionally, they released an all-new studio album in 2014, Rock Your Face Off.
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