Kix and Autograph take fans back to the ’80s at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe on April 28
From a press release:
It was announced today that Kix and Autograph, who both rose to fame during the glam metal era of the 1980s, will perform at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 8 p.m.
Tickets, which are $25 in advance or $30 the day of the show, go on sale next Friday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. and will be available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn’s Peak box office (325 Maury Rd., Jim Thorpe), and Roadies Restaurant and Bar (325 Maury Rd., Jim Thorpe). Penn’s Peak box office and Roadies Restaurant ticket sales are walk-up only; no phone orders.
Kix was founded in 1978 in Hagerstown, Maryland as The Shooze, then changed their name to The Generators before eventually settling on Kix. They were considered one of Maryland’s top cover bands prior to signing with Atlantic Records in 1981. Though often lumped in with bands that many consider to be glam metal or hair metal, the band’s pop metal stylings on the first Kix record drew inspiration from bubblegum pop and new wave as well as hard rock.
In 1981, they debuted with a self-titled album 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 Trix (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 singer Steve Whiteman. With this album, the tongue-in-cheek rock and roll style of Kix was established.
On Aug. 5, 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 Off” debuted at No. 48 on the Billboard Top 200 and at No. 5 on the Independent Albums chart, No. 11 on the Top Internet chart, No. 17 on the Top Rock Albums chart, No. 27 on the Indy/Small Chain Core Stores chart, and No. 33 on the Physical chart. It also debuted at No. 1 on Amazon’s Hard Rock and Metal chart.
Autograph left an everlasting imprint on rock and roll. The platinum-selling Southern California hard rock juggernauts gave the world the ubiquitous hit “Turn Up the Radio,” seminal albums such as “Sign in Please” (1984), “That’s the Stuff” (1985), and “Loud and Clear” (1987), as well as unforgettable sold-out shows alongside everybody from Mötley Crüe and Ronnie James Dio to Van Halen and Aerosmith. Given those accolades, when they disbanded in 1989, they never left the hearts and minds of millions of fans around the globe. Simply put, a reunion was both inevitable and essential.
In 2011, founding guitarist Steve Lynch and bassist Randy Rand decided to meet up at the NAMM show in Anaheim. They rekindled their friendship first, opening up the lines of communication and bonding more than ever before. With the relationship rebuilt, they made a collective decision to jam again.
“We approached our original singer Steve Plunkett about a reunion,” Lynch recalled. “He didn’t have the time to join the band again due to how busy his business is. He did give us his blessing to move forward though, and that was important. We missed our fans. This is for them.”
Fully embracing the future, the remaining members caught some videos of singer/guitarist Simon Daniels of Jailhouse on YouTube. Instantly, they sensed a connection and knew that he was meant for the open spot in the center stage.
“He has big shoes to fill,” Rand smiled. “Nevertheless, he was born to front Autograph. His hard-edged, bluesy voice and massive riffing sharpen our edge. He’s given us a new energy, and he impressed us immediately.”
“We all had a euphoric feeling after the first rehearsal,” Lynch added. “These songs hadn’t been played in 25 years, and it was indescribable. It was great to be making music with my friends again.”
With the lineup solidified, Autograph is shaking rock ‘n’ roll up yet again. It’s as if every element has been enhanced, from the guitars to the bass and vocals as well as drums with the addition of drummer Marc Wieland. Lynch put it best.
“We’re much heavier than before. We’re not using keyboards, and we’re tuning down for a much fatter sound. That strengthens everything. At the same time, the melodic vocals and catchy hooks are still an integral part of our sound.”
Successfully touring again since the beginning of 2014, Autograph has strived and shined at theaters, casinos, various venues, and major festivals like M3, the Monsters of Rock Cruise, the Moondance Jam, Firefest, and the Halfway Jam, among others, reaching the four corners of the U.S., along with Canada and the U.K. They released two new anthem singles, with one of them, “I Lost My Mind in America,” making the Top 10 iTunes charts, and a crowd favorite, “You Are Us, We Are You,” receiving great reviews and airplay as well. The band delivers undeniably bombastic live performances.
Autograph released a new album, “Get Off Your Ass,” in October via EMP Label Group as the timeless classic rock anthem and Top 40 hit single “Turn Up the Radio” continues to receive constant and permanent radio airplay on all major rock radio stations around the world.
