Redd Kross
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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 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.
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Red Cross
At the time of their first self-titled EP, in 1980, the band changed their name to Red Cross and shortly afterward, Hetson left to join the Circle Jerks and later, Bad Religion and Reyes left for Black Flag. To complete the lineup on their first full-length album, Born Innocent, they assembled a revolving door of underground and studio 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) and Charles Manson (whose song Cease to Exist they covered). 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.
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.
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.
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 Tator Totz album, in 1989, included Cherie Currie of The Runaways, and Pat Smear. A third Tator 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.
Later Career
In 1988, drummer Victor Indrizzo joined the band.
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. 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. 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, according to their website, as a tour with dates in Europe and Japan has been made official, and a new album (titled Motorcycle Black Madonna) is due in 2004, it appears that Redd Kross is making a return. Redd Kross still retains a following in Japan far surpassing their general popularity in the United States.
Recent News
- Steve is married to Anna Waronker (formerly of that dog), and they both appear on Phranc's album Milkman. (Steve on bass, Anna on backing vocals.) He has played bass for Beck tours as recently as summer 2003. While Redd Kross was on hiatus, he formed a solo project, The Steven McDonald Group, and played bass for The White Stripes.
- Jeff married Charlotte Caffey (from The Go-Go's) in 1995. A song (Not Bad At All) from Steve's solo album was featured in a television commercial for the Mini Cooper.
- Brian Reitzell was the drummer for AIR on their 1998 tour.
- Eddie Kurdziel, who also played guitar for Fuzz Bubble, died of an accidental drug overdose in 1999.
Related Projects/Soundtracks
- Redd Kross has had co-projects with Shonen Knife and Blue Sky Roadster, and had songs on the soundtracks to Good Burger, PCU, Bordello of Blood, An American Werewolf in Paris, and Varsity Blues.
- Steve produced Imperial Teen's self-titled album with Roddy Bottom of Faith No More.
- 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 Love Dolls, 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.
External Links
- Redd Kross Official Site (http://www.reddkross.com)
- The Bubblegum Factory (official Redd Kross fansite, no longer updated.) (http://www.surrealistic.org/reddkross//)