Biography
Florida's Saigon Kick emerged from a history of persistent internal friction and shifting lineups, channeling an energetic mix of classic hard rock, aggressive heavy metal, melody-driven pop, and expansive alternative rock. Mainstream attention arrived in 1992 via the gold-certified second album The Lizard and its Top 20 single "Love Is on the Way." The band ultimately issued five studio albums and cultivated a devoted audience, above all across Southeast Asia, before disbanding in 2000. They reassembled for multiple concerts in 2013 and have sustained an active touring presence through the 2020s.
The quartet originated in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1988, featuring Matt Kramer, Jason Bieler, Tom DeFile, and Phil Varone. After signing with Third Stone/Atlantic in 1990, their self-titled debut album earned local praise, yet the subsequent release The Lizard propelled them forward with the number 12 single "Love Is on the Way." Tom DeFile departed months later and was succeeded by Chris McLernon, who performed on 1993's Water. That record did not replicate The Lizard's domestic breakthrough, leaving Saigon Kick—still widely embraced in Asia—without a U.S. deal by 1994. Continuing as a quartet of Bieler, McLernon, Varone, and Pete Dembrowski, they delivered the stylistically varied Devil in the Details in 1995 through CMC International. Moments from the Fringe, a 1998 collection of demos that featured the single "Dizzy's Vine," marked the final recording by the original members. A revised lineup of Bieler, Ricky Sanders, and Dembrowski recorded Bastards, the fifth and last studio album, which appeared only in Asia and Japan in 1999.
Saigon Kick receded into the background for Bieler, Sanders, and Dembrowski, who launched Super TransAtlantic alongside Extreme bassist Pat Badger in 2000. Varone spent time in Skid Row before establishing himself on the standup comedy scene and through his branded adult product line. The original roster reconvened in 2013 for performances in Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York City. Although the band never reentered the studio, they have kept performing live, marking the 30th anniversary of Water with a 2024 tour.
The quartet originated in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1988, featuring Matt Kramer, Jason Bieler, Tom DeFile, and Phil Varone. After signing with Third Stone/Atlantic in 1990, their self-titled debut album earned local praise, yet the subsequent release The Lizard propelled them forward with the number 12 single "Love Is on the Way." Tom DeFile departed months later and was succeeded by Chris McLernon, who performed on 1993's Water. That record did not replicate The Lizard's domestic breakthrough, leaving Saigon Kick—still widely embraced in Asia—without a U.S. deal by 1994. Continuing as a quartet of Bieler, McLernon, Varone, and Pete Dembrowski, they delivered the stylistically varied Devil in the Details in 1995 through CMC International. Moments from the Fringe, a 1998 collection of demos that featured the single "Dizzy's Vine," marked the final recording by the original members. A revised lineup of Bieler, Ricky Sanders, and Dembrowski recorded Bastards, the fifth and last studio album, which appeared only in Asia and Japan in 1999.
Saigon Kick receded into the background for Bieler, Sanders, and Dembrowski, who launched Super TransAtlantic alongside Extreme bassist Pat Badger in 2000. Varone spent time in Skid Row before establishing himself on the standup comedy scene and through his branded adult product line. The original roster reconvened in 2013 for performances in Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York City. Although the band never reentered the studio, they have kept performing live, marking the 30th anniversary of Water with a 2024 tour.
Albums
