Saigon Kick: The Eclectic Hard Rock of the 1990s

Saigon Kick is an American rock band known for its genre-blending sound that merged hard rock, glam metal, and alternative influences. Formed in Miami, Florida, the group achieved commercial success in the early 1990s, most notably with their platinum-selling second album and its chart-topping acoustic power ballad.

Early Career

Saigon Kick was formed in 1988 by guitarist Jason Bieler and bassist Matt Kramer. The Miami-based band developed a diverse musical style that set them apart from the prevailing glam metal scene, incorporating elements of psychedelic rock and pop into their hard rock foundation. They released their self-titled debut album independently in 1991, which led to a signing with major label Third Stone/Atlantic Records.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough came in 1992 with their second album, "The Lizard." Driven by the unexpected success of the acoustic ballad "Love Is on the Way," the album reached platinum certification in the United States. "Love Is on the Way" peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, propelling Saigon Kick into mainstream rock recognition and defining their career.

Key Tracks

Love Is on the Way - This acoustic-driven power ballad became the band's signature hit, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and driving "The Lizard" album to platinum status.

All I Want - A harder-rocking track that showcased the band's energetic, guitar-centric side and received significant airplay on rock radio formats.

Hostile Youth - Featured on their debut album, this song exemplified the band's earlier, more aggressive alternative metal sound.

Following their breakthrough, Saigon Kick released "Water" in 1993, which presented a darker, more alternative rock-oriented direction but did not match the commercial success of its predecessor. Internal tensions led to significant lineup changes, including the departure of vocalist Matt Kramer. The band continued with Jason Bieler taking on lead vocals for the 1995 album "Devil in the Details" before entering a period of hiatus. Their eclectic approach to hard rock has maintained a cult following among fans of 1990s rock music.

Artists with a similar blend of hard rock and melodic sensibilities include Extreme, another band known for combining hard rock virtuosity with unexpected acoustic hits. The glam metal and pop rock elements recall Winger, while their forays into alternative rock share some ground with Enuff Z'nuff.