KIX was founded in 1978 in Hagerstown, Maryland as The Shooze, 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 pop-metal stylings on the first KIX record drew inspiration from bubblegum pop and new wave as well as hard rock.