Saigon Kick

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Saigon Kick was a band from Florida that formed in 1988.

The line-up of the band on their first two albums was lead vocalist Matt Kramer, guitarist Jason Bieler, bassist Tom Defile, and drummer Phil Varone. After their second album, The Lizard, Matt Kramer and Tom Defile left the band, and Jason Bieler took up lead vocals as well as guitar for 1993's Water. Their biggest hit single was "Love Is On The Way", whose video was in the top 10 MTV countdown for many weeks.

Tom Defile went on to the band Left For Dead, and was replaced by ex-Cold Sweat bassist Chris McLernon as The Lizard hit the stores. They toured from summer 1992 to spring 1993, enjoying gold status sales for The Lizard. They then headed to Sweden to record the follow-up, Water, where Kramer quit the band in mid-recording. The band carried on, finishing in Tampa, Florida.

Screams-n-Dreams guitarist Pete Dembrowski joined the band for their fall 1993 Water tour and performed on the band's fourth album, Devil In The Details. The band toured to large success globally in 1994, '95 and '96, but Saigon Kick died on the vine in their home country, the USA.

In July 1997, the band, with Kramer added but Varone replaced by future Super TransAtlantic drummer Ricky Sanders, tried an ill-advised reunion and imploded after two shows.

Matt Kramer and Jason Bieler both later released solo albums.

Bieler, Dembrowski and Sanders formed Super TransAtlantic and released one CD in 2000. They also appeared on the "American Pie" soundtrack.

Phil Varone joined Skid Row, and has also played in the band Prunella Scales with then future and now former Skid Row bandmate Rachel Bolan. Phil recently left Skid Row, citing his ongoing battle with 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 making a living as a stand up comic.

Chris McLernon works in TV, Film and Advertising music production.

Former Left For Dead and current Slaughter guitarist Jeff Blando was briefly a touring guitarist for Saigon Kick.

Jason Bieler and his brother Aaron now own a music studio in South Florida called Bieler Brothers Records. They manage numerous groups including Nonpoint, Skindred, and Sikth.