Concert Review: KIX Walkin’ Away, The Final Show @ Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD 9/17/23

From the kids with instruments on streets of Maryland in the ‘70s, to platinum-selling, worldwide rock n’ roll sensations to well-traveled gentlemen with families back at home, KIX have seen it all. Blood, sweat and tears have been left on the stage for over 4 decades. The past couple years specifically, the band has been to hell and back with various health issues throughout their members; most notably drummer Jimmy Chalfant’s second cardiac arrest, this time mid-set. It’s been a rough ride for KIX and fans certainly have appreciated all the years and dedication the group has put in to be able to continue to perform for us. They’ve given all they have and the fans gave all they had, selling out their last ever show, a hometown show at that.

Arriving at the Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sunday afternoon was bittersweet, filled with joy and excitement but sadness and loss in the same breath. Fans lined up outside the venue several hours before doors opened, facing heavy rains and wind to see the goddamn KIX band for one last time. Doors opened at 5:30PM and hordes of people sped over to the merch booths throughout the venue to get their hands on limited edition merch items like signed drum heads, drum sticks, guitar picks and more.

Opening the night was another group of misfits from Baltimore, just like KIX. Child’s Play took the region by storm in 1990 with their debut album, Rat Race, and here they are in their hometown over 3 decades later playing to nearly 20,000 people. The band played their first show in many years back in May at the M3 Rock Festival and here they are back for more. “Hammerjacks on steroids,” they described it. The 5 gentlemen took the stage, ready to get the crowd going for KIX’s set. Frontman John Allen moves from stage left to stage right and back again, barefoot, black jeans, white button down mostly unbuttoned – very rock n’ roll. The band began their set with Good Ol’ Rock And Roll, the perfect song to show the audience what they’re about.

Colored lights fill the stage throughout the band’s 45 minute set, reminiscent of the color scheme of Rat Race. On top of guitarist Nicky K’s Marshall half-stack sits a hardshell guitar case with the name Brian Jack spray-painted on it, honoring the band’s fallen lead singer/guitarist. Child’s Play in their current form features a unique combination of members. Their set largely features their longtime drummer John Allen fronting the band on lead vocals, but for two songs he hops behind the kit. With Allen behind the kit, original Child’s Play vocalist Larry Hinshaw takes center stage. The two even sang one of the band’s mellower tunes, Wind, as a duet. These good ol’ boys played their good ol rock n’ roll like it was 1990 all over again, just the way we like it.

Now it was time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The last KIX set. Hello There by Cheap Trick began playing over the speakers as the band readied to take the stage. As the stagehands pulled the curtain, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical KIX show. There were high platforms on the stage, 15-foot tall screen walls and lots of pyro. KIX is a band that has never needed anything but their respective instruments to put on a good show, so it was a treat for the crowd to see a highly produced show from their hometown boys.

The audience exploded with cheers as they saw founding guitarist Ronnie 10/10 Younkins on guitar stage right. The band opened their set with the first track from their eponymous debut record. Marshall stacks were shown on the screens as the group began a b-side tune, The Kid, from their debut album.

“Ooh look at me I’m sparkly, am I pretty or what?” says frontman Steve Whiteman. Touring guitarist Bob Pare joins the guys on the stage for Midnite Dynamite. Sparks lit the dark, literally. Bassist Mark Schenker has rhinestones coming down from his eye, representing teardrops for the end of the band. As KIX played one of my personal favorites, No Ring Around Rosie, I glanced behind me and saw the amphitheater was completely packed. This joy washed over me, this band is closing their career with an absolute bang and for that I was so happy for them.

“We were getting a lot of requests for a bunch of shit that we don’t wanna play, so we thought maybe if we do some snippets of the songs, it might be cool” says Whiteman. Drummer Jimmy Chalfant begins a basic beat and counts the band in, “One, two, three, four” and they’re into a 6 song medley of various KIX songs, played instrumentally. This first medley included Fireballs, Body Talk, Ball Baby, Luv-A-Holic, Love at First Sight and Love Pollution. “Hey I like that one!” exclaims Whiteman as the rest of the group plays Love At First Sight from the ‘81 album. He joins them back singing with Red Lite, Green Lite, TNT and bassist Mark Schenker and guitarist Pare make their way to the top of the platform having their total rockstar moment.

“This song is about venereal disease!” says Whiteman before beginning Scarlet Fever. As someone who has seen KIX around 10 times, I have to say this was the best I’ve seen their backing vocals in a live show. Like many others, I shed many tears hearing Don’t Close Your Eyes live for the very last time. A song many hold so close to their heart, it was a soul connecting moment among the band and audience members. “Long-legged Rosie from…” sang Whiteman and the crowd finished the line, “BALTIMORE!” for the beloved Hot Wire hit, Girl Money. KIX broke out into another medley, this time Book to Hypnotize, Cool Kids, Cold Chills, and Bang Bang (Balls of Fire). “Give it up for sniplets,” says the frontman.

In typical KIX fashion, Whiteman does lots of call and response with sections of the crowd throughout The Itch and beyond. For the first time since I’ve seen KIX, they played an acoustic song, For Shame, and Steve Whiteman ventured into the crowd for the entirety of the song. This was such a special moment for KIX fans of all ages. In addition, guitarist Brad Divens, who played on the band’s Cool Kids album, joined his former bandmates onstage for For Shame and Mighty Mouth, both off the album he was part of. Whiteman grabs the iconic Cold Shower umbrella and Schenker joins him under the umbrella and they harmonize the song’s intro. Guitarist Brian ‘Damage’ Forsythe takes Schenker’s place harmonizing with Whiteman in the verses.

Younkins returns for a spotlight solo into Cold Blood. Chalfant, who has suffered severe health issues the past couple years, crushed his drum solo for the last time. Sparks shoot out at the back of the stage as Forsythe begins the riff to Blow My Fuse. The four axe-slingers stand together as they play the song’s verse. One more “sniplets” medley included Tear Down The Walls and Walkin’ Away.

The show closed with all 4 guitarists; Ronnie Younkins, Brian Forsythe, Brad Divens and Bob Pare; on the stage for Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Confetti blew into the crowd and smoke and sparks and fire all erupted on the stage. Steve Whiteman gave beautiful introductions to all the band and crew members who all joined him onstage for a final bow. With one final “thank you” and the hometown crowd’s final “you’re welcome”, KIX is officially retired. Thank you to the KIX band and crew for over 40 years of amazing music and live shows.