Saigon Kick

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Saigon Kick
Saigon Kick
Background information
Origin	Miami, Florida, United States
Genres	Glam metal
Years active	1988–2000
Labels	Third Stone, Atlantic
Associated acts	Cold Sweat Left For Dead Prunella Scales Skid Row Super Transatlantic
Former members
Matt Kramer Jason Bieler Tom Defile Phil Varone Chris McLernon Pete Dembrowski Ricky Sanders

Saigon Kick was an American rock band from Miami, Florida that formed in 1988.

History

Saigon Kick was formed by lead vocalist Matt Kramer and guitarist Jason Bieler along with bassist Tom Defile, and drummer Phil Varone. They gained a huge following on the local club scene and generated enough of a buzz to be signed to Third Stone records in 1990 and release their first album in 1991. They toured non stop but the album only made a marginal national showing.

They went immediately back into the studio to record their second album, The Lizard which was released in 1992. The album spawned the bands biggest hit single, "Love Is on the Way", which reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received a gold record, and whose video was in the top 10 MTV countdown for many weeks. Just before touring for the album commenced, bassist Tom DeFile was fired. He was replaced by ex-Cold Sweat bassist Chris McLernon. They toured from summer 1992 to spring 1993, enjoying gold status sales for The Lizard.

The band then headed to Sweden to record their third album Water. During recording, Matt Kramer became disillusioned with the direction that the band was heading both musically and style wise. Matt also argues that there were financial differences within the band, and that Jason took most of the money.

With Matt gone,Bieler decided to take over all of the vocal duties as well as playing guitar on the album. The basic tracks were recorded with finishing touches added at sessions in Tampa, Florida.

Former Cryer/Screams-N-Dreams guitarist Pete Dembrowski joined the band for their fall 1993 tour and performed on the band's fourth album, Devil in the Details, released in 1995. The band toured to large success globally in 1994, 1995 and 1996, but Saigon Kick never managed to build on the success of The Lizard in the USA.

In July 1997, the band, with Kramer back in the fold but Varone replaced by former Cryer and future Super TransAtlantic drummer Ricky Sanders attempted a reunion. A new song was made with this line-up, known as Dizzy's Vine (available on their "moments from the fringe" CD). The band once again could not deal with each others differences, and Jason left this time after two shows.

Bieler, Dembrowski, and Sanders would record the final Saigon Kick album, Bastards for release in the Far East before changing their name and starting anew as Super TransAtlantic.

In 2000, Kramer, Varone, and DeFile resurrected the Saigon Kick name for a short tour lasting until about 2002. Bieler, being involved with Super TransAtlantic and wanting no part of a reunion, was replaced by former Left For Dead and current Slaughter guitarist Jeff Blando. After the tour, the members scattered, and it was thought that Saigon Kick was done for good.

Saigon Kick was supposed to have a reunion at the Rock Gone Wild festival, however the show was regrettably canceled.

However, Saigon Kick's website was recently put back up (saigonkick.com). Right now it only says "coming soon", but it seems like Jason Bieler still has a little more Saigon Kick to show.

Post-breakup

Matt Kramer and Jason Bieler both later released solo albums.

Matt Kramer released his debut book of poetry, An American Profit, on October 31, 2007 through Lascivious Books.

Bieler, Dembrowski, and Sanders along with bassist Pat Badger of Extreme formed Super TransAtlantic' and released the album Shuttlecock in 2000. They also appeared on the American Pie soundtrack with the song "Super Down".

Phil Varone joined Skid Row, and also played in the band Prunella Scales with Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan. Phil left Skid Row, citing his ongoing battle with cocaine addiction and his need to turn his life around. Afterwards, he began promoting his movie Waking up Dead in which a film crew followed him around for several years to document the life of a rock star and the ups and downs that come with it. Varone is now clean and sober. His focus is no longer music, rather he is booking and hosting standup comedy shows in Los Angeles.

Tom Defile is now a massage therapist and living in South Florida.

Chris McLernon and Ricky Sanders teamed up to form Two Heads Music working in television, film and advertising music production.

Jason Bieler and his brother Aaron now own a music studio and record label in South Florida called Bieler Bros. Records.

Ricky Sanders is currently the touring drummer for former Bad Company lead singer Brian Howe.

Discography

Albums

Singles

External links

• Matt Kramer
• Bieler Brothers Records
• Phil Varone's "Waking up Dead"
• Chris McLernon.com