Redd Kross

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Redd Kross
Background information
Also known as Red Cross, The Tourists
Origin Hawthorne, CA, USA
Genre(s) Power pop
Pop-punk
Hardcore punk
Alternative rock
Years active 1980-1997
2004-Present
Associated
acts		 Black Flag
Members
Jeff McDonald, Steven McDonald, Robert Hecker, and Roy McDonald
Former members
Gere Fennelly, Greg Hetson, Eddie Kurdziel, Brian Reitzell, Dez Cadena, Dave Peterson, Ron Reyes


Redd Kross, an alternative rock/garage rock/power pop/cover version band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school. With the addition of friends Greg Hetson and Dave Keller on guitar and Ron Reyes (a.k.a. Chavo Pederast) on drums, the band's first gig was opening for Black Flag. They also opened for The Germs.


Contents

[edit] Band history

[edit] Red Cross

At the time of their first self-titled EP, in 1980, the band changed their name to Red Cross, which was alledgedly inspired by the masturbation scene in the film, "The Exorcist." Eventually, Hetson left to join the Circle Jerks and later, Bad Religion and Reyes left for Black Flag. Keller left to join Trixie and the Doorknobs as its guitarist and singer. To complete the lineup on their first full-length album, Born Innocent, they assembled a revolving door of talented musicians including a young Janet Housden on the drums. Full of the brothers' pop culture obsessions, Born Innocent featured odes to Linda Blair (who starred in a television movie of the same name), a cover of "Look on Up" by the Carrie Nations from Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, and Charles Manson (whose song Cease to Exist they covered). The album also contains nods to Jim & Tammy Baker, Tatum O'Neil, and Lita Ford. Not long after the release of the album, the group was threatened with a lawsuit from the International Red Cross and changed their name to Redd Kross, allegedly being inspired by Redd Foxx.

[edit] Redd Kross

In 1984, Redd Kross returned with drummer Dave Peterson to record Teen Babes from Monsanto, a cover album featuring songs originally by artists including David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and The Shangri-Las, and containing stickers reading Quit School.

In 1984, lead guitarist Robert Hecker joined the band, as Redd Kross embarked on tour in support of Teen Babes from Monsanto.

In the same year, they were featured on the soundtrack of Desperate Teenage Lovedolls with their cover of the Brady Bunch Kids' It's a Sunshine Day. Jeff and Steve appear in the movie, and its sequel Lovedolls Superstar as well as co-wrote it with Dave Markey and Jennifer Schwartz. Both movies are available now on DVD from We Got Power Films.

Returning in 1987 with new drummer Roy McDonald in tow, Redd Kross released Neurotica, an album reportedly influenced by Saturday morning cartoons and breakfast cereal (one of the songs was called Frosted Flake), widely considered to be one of the albums that started the grunge movement in music. Unfortunately, although the album itself was successful, the band's label, Big Time Records folded, and due to related legal problems, Redd Kross was unable to record any new material under its own name for three years. The bands continued to tour during these years however, and in 1988, drummer Victor Indrizzo joined the band.

[edit] Tater Totz

As The Tater Totz, the McDonalds joined Michael Quercio from Three O'Clock and Danny Bonaduce, and released Alien Sleestaks from Brazil, the title a tribute to the series Land of the Lost. Another cover collection, it included songs originally by Queen and Yoko Ono. The second Tater Totz album, in 1989, included Cherie Currie of The Runaways, and Pat Smear. A third Tater Totz album was released after Redd Kross re-formed, called Tater Comes Alive. A side project, Anarchy 6, appeared in the mock punk tribute Hardcore Lives!, released an album, Live Like a Suicidal, and was featured in Lovedolls Superstar.

[edit] 1990s

In 1990, Redd Kross signed with Atlantic Records, releasing Third Eye, and appeared with David Cassidy in the film Spirit of 76, and issued several singles, including "Annie's Gone", which had some mild success on college radio. Former Red Hot Chili Peppers / future Pearl Jam drummer Jack Irons joined for the Third Eye tours.

In 1991, Robert Hecker took leave from the band.

The album Phaseshifter was released in 1993, with new band members Eddie Kurdziel, Gere Fennelly, and Brian Reitzell. The videos for "Jimmy's Fantasy" and "Lady In The Front Row" were both shown on MTV's 120 Minutes. They toured on Phaseshifter for over a year, headling their own shows as well as tours supporting The Lemonheads in late 1993 and Stone Temple Pilots in 1994. In 1995, Jeff and his wife, Charlotte Caffey (from The Go-Go's), had a daughter, named Astrid.

In 1997, Redd Kross released Show World, produced by Chris Shaw (who also produced albums for Weezer and Soul Asylum), and unofficially broke up after the death of guitarist Eddie Kurdziel. However, it has been made official that a long-promised new album (originally announced as Motorcycle Black Madonna) is due in 2007. Redd Kross still retains strong followings in Spain, Australia, Japan as well as a cult following in the United States.

[edit] Current

On July 1, 2006, Redd Kross returned to the live stage after almost a decade's absence. The line up of Jeff McDonald, Steven McDonald, Robert Hecker, and Roy McDonald performed at the REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney / Cal Arts Theater) at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. They played a career-spanning set, and introduced some new material ("Stay Away From Downtown"), as well, to an overwhelming ovation. They played additional dates in Los Angeles, as well as in New York City and Spain.

2007 has Redd Kross slated to return to Spain, and play in England, as well.

[edit] Trivia

[edit] Related Projects/Soundtracks

  • In addition to the Lovedolls films and Spirit of '76, members of Redd Kross have appeared in a few films of director Allison Anders. Steve, Jeff, and Brian played members of Matt Dillon's Beach Boys-esque rock band in Grace of My Heart. Jeff played a junkie songwriter in Sugar Town. Jeff and Steve both featured in Things Behind The Sun.
  • Redd Kross has had co-projects with Shonen Knife, and had songs on the soundtracks to Good Burger, PCU, Bordello of Blood, An American Werewolf in Paris, and Varsity Blues.
  • Steven produced Imperial Teen's self-titled album with Roddy Bottom of Faith No More, and was Beck's bassist for the Sea Changes tour. Steven also has produced Turbonegro's 2005 release Party Animals.
  • Steven plays bass on the 2006 release from Sparks and is on tour with them.
  • The McDonald brothers also produced an album for The Donnas in 1999: Get Skintight.
  • Ze Malibu Kids is a band featuring the McDonald brothers, Anna Waronker, and Astrid, that released an album in 2002.
  • Robert Hecker has released two albums with the band IT'S OK.
  • Janet Housden went on to be in several popular and not-so-popular L.A. combos, including the Lovedolls, the Waifs, the Superkools, the Excessories, and currently plays with the Shakes. She also starred in Desperate Teenage Lovedolls and its sequel, Lovedolls Superstar, as Patch "Christ" Kelly.
  • The Third Eye album contains a song called Shonen Knife. Shonen Knife have recorded a song called Redd Kross.


[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • Teen Babes From Monsanto (1984)
  • Born Innocent (1986)
  • Neurotica (1987)
  • Third Eye (1990)
  • Phaseshifter (1993)
  • Show World (1997)

[edit] Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Mainstream Rock UK
1990 "Annie's Gone" - #16 - - Third Eye

[edit] External links

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