Redd Kross : Classic Or Dud?

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i thought it was one of the bangles, but i could be wrong...

kate, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 17:40 (twenty-one years ago) link

classic classic classic esp. neurotica & teen babes... born innocent has its charms too

Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 11 December 2002 17:44 (twenty-one years ago) link

Maybe it is one of the bangles. Im really not sure.
I always wondered who their parents are, after all they grew up in a rich neighbourhood with famous people.
Were their folks famous or were did they just live amongst famous people hence the fascination with it all.

I wish Redd Kross would reform.
They toured with Foo Fighters, and Redd Kross were a much better band.

Peter M, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 17:51 (twenty-one years ago) link

I keep meaning to catch up on these guys. I've only got Neurotica used, which I might have played twice a few years ago.

Curt (cgould), Wednesday, 11 December 2002 18:01 (twenty-one years ago) link

"Teen babes From Monsanto ep is on the Australian Import 'Trance' cd."


Wow. Didn't know that. Thanks, Peter. Must go fetch it now!

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 11 December 2002 18:21 (twenty-one years ago) link

My pleasure. Seen it about on Ebay. Bought mine in Tower Records,London years ago.
Also have a ltd edition 10" '2500 Redd Kross Fans Cant be Wrong' Trance is on that i think.
Ive never seen teen babes on ebay though.

Peter M, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 18:29 (twenty-one years ago) link

They grew up in Hawthorne, an LA beach suburb that also spawned the Beach Boys. Not a wealthy suburb at all, though from what I've been told they were very, uh, indulged by their parents. They were encouraged to rock from a very early age.

Jeff McDonald's married to Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Gos. He used to go out with Vicki or Debbie Peterson from the Bangles, I forget which one.

Arthur (Arthur), Wednesday, 11 December 2002 18:30 (twenty-one years ago) link

Re: obsession w/ famous people. Everyone in LA is like that, you get used to it.

Arthur (Arthur), Wednesday, 11 December 2002 18:31 (twenty-one years ago) link

I still find it funny that 2 ex members went on to join Black Flag & Circle Jerks.

Whats Gere upto these days?

Ze Malibu Kidz Features Anna Waronker. Apparently she was in another band. Know anything about either? Whats worth checking out etc (if Kazaa has it)

Peter M, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 18:43 (twenty-one years ago) link

Gere Fennelly plays regularly at Marie Callendars, the famous pie restaurant, on Wilshire Blvd. near the Tar Pits and LACMA. According to the Redd Kross website, she has an album out called Gere Played Piano under the name 88 Magic. She's great--she played at my best friend's memorial service!

Anna Waronker's band was that dog. Their last album, Retreat from the Sun was the only one I really liked. Look for the title song. They had too many cute boy/crush Ameritwee songs for my liking.

I prefer the McDonald Brothers songs ("Standing in the Wrong Line", "What's Wrong with Stephani", "Outer Circle") on the Ze Malibu Kids record, though Anna's cover of "You're So Vain" and her song "I Won't Forget You" are OK .

Arthur (Arthur), Wednesday, 11 December 2002 19:33 (twenty-one years ago) link

my favs are the 1st record/born innocent/teen babes/neurotica but the later stuff's pretty cool too. man i so wanna see the lovedolls movies!

d, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 20:59 (twenty-one years ago) link

Does anyone have the 'Tater Totz' albums. I think theres 3 of them, though i'm not sure.

Peter M, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 22:27 (twenty-one years ago) link

yeah i got 2 of em, i thought that's all there was? alien sleestaks from brazil & sgt shonen's exploding plastic whatever it's called. those're both great although i guess some of the jokes get tired

unknown or illegal (doorag), Wednesday, 11 December 2002 22:42 (twenty-one years ago) link

There's this one--

http://www.surrealistic.org/reddkross/images/records/side/tt_cd_tater.jpg

Actually, I can't remember how much of it is live, really. I'll check when I get home. I know it's got their appearance at an LA Beatle Convention, where they got Jennifer Schwartz from the Love Dolls to sing "Don't Worry Kyoko" with them and were booed off the stage. Now that's CLASSIC!!!

Arthur (Arthur), Thursday, 12 December 2002 00:08 (twenty-one years ago) link

"Trance" and "Byrds and Fleas" are both fantastic songs. I met them when they came out to Australia years and years ago and they were absolutely lovely people too.

electric sound of jim (electricsound), Thursday, 12 December 2002 00:33 (twenty-one years ago) link

does anyone know any info about the guy who played with them fairly recently (4-6 years ago) and died of a heroin OD? i'm trying to remember his story...

gygax!, Thursday, 12 December 2002 00:39 (twenty-one years ago) link

Ed Kurdziel. See story above.
The band split when he died.

Peter M, Thursday, 12 December 2002 01:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

Let me second just about everything everyone has said. I was wandering around the UCLA campus the day that they played a noontime set -- that's a photo of it on the inside of Third Eye -- and that was my first encounter with them, bless 'em. They were on the bill with the Butthole Surfers and L7 at that show at the Palladium in early 1991 where Kurt and Courtney allegedly first met; I just remember the band's hair being everywhere and their Good Times cover being the shiznitz that night in particular. Then there was the glorious Palace show with them in 1992 where the Muffs opened and Jeff got everyone to gleefully shout "Fuck you Steven!" to celebrate his birthday or something. Etc. Etc. Arthur, I will one day demand access to all your videos and films and things of them, I've seen NONE of them!

As for them glorious Tater Totz:

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre200/e291/e29119kdbe4.jpg

Great album, I sez. How can you go wrong with an album where you get to hear Michael Quercio say during a cover of "Tomorrow Never Knows" "This is a song about control — my control!"

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 12 December 2002 04:08 (twenty-one years ago) link

arthur arthur could you tape that 3rd tater totz for me????pls??

d, Thursday, 12 December 2002 22:50 (twenty-one years ago) link

Sure, send me your address. I can copy you those Kim Fowley records, too, if you want.

Arthur (Arthur), Thursday, 12 December 2002 23:00 (twenty-one years ago) link

ok cool i will! thanks lots + lots!!

duane, Friday, 13 December 2002 02:02 (twenty-one years ago) link

one year passes...
CLASSIC!

Piers (piers), Thursday, 28 October 2004 05:39 (nineteen years ago) link

one year passes...
From the Redd Kross List.

Redd Kross will be performing July 1st at the Red Cat Theater in Los
Angeles, CA.

The Red Cat only holds about 200 people and tickets are NOT for sale
yet.

Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 00:09 (seventeen years ago) link

Just saw Steve the other night on bass with Sparks. He wears the mustache and soul patch surprisingly well.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 00:15 (seventeen years ago) link

Are you going to this gig, Ned?

Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 00:49 (seventeen years ago) link

'They seemed to have the same record and video collections as me and my friends, the same voracious, unashamed pop culture appetites'

Which is why they had such a loyal cult of similarly aged trash culture fans. To that small group, they were more than a band--more like a state of mind.

'do i have to mention DESPERATE TEENAGE LOVEDOLLS?!?!? and TEENAGE LOVEDOLL SUPERSTAR?!?!? '

Don't forget Spirit of '76 with Keith Partridge himself.

Carlos Keith (Buck_Wilde), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 01:44 (seventeen years ago) link

quite classic i should say

nude s*ock, Wednesday, 24 May 2006 01:47 (seventeen years ago) link

From their MySpace page (i know, i know):

"Now back in the studio, Redd Kross are working on a new release for 2006, and we are looking forward to it as much as you are."

http://www.myspace.com/reddkross

Really hoping for a tour if this is true.

cdwill (cdwill), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 03:54 (seventeen years ago) link

three weeks pass...
July 1st @ the Red Cat Theater - your faves are back together: Jeff,
Steven, Roy McDonald and Robert Hecker!

http://redcat.org/season/0506/mus/knock3.php

Don't Knock The Rock!
http://dontknocktherock.com/

Roberts back!!

Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy (Kerr), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 12:55 (seventeen years ago) link

Saw 'em open for Sonic Youth (whom they way outshone) in Toronto in '90, and that was a show to remember! They stretched their final chord of the evening for what seemed like an hour (prob. more like 12-15 minutes, in actual fact.) Plus Steve made some onstage wisecracks about Klaus Nomi that SEEMED funny, even tho they went completely over my head. (I'd never heard Klaus's music before.)(Still haven't.) Great fun.

M. Agony Von Bontee (M. Agony Von Bontee), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 19:14 (seventeen years ago) link

Funny, I saw the same combo circa the Sister tour. Beyond that, The Spirit of '76, and that '93 album, I'll have to do some catching up... I do remember reading that a lot of Circle Jerks riffs or songs were originally Red Cross ones.

Pete Scholtes (Pete Scholtes), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 21:12 (seventeen years ago) link

one year passes...

So this is like the greatest thing ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGPMa6k4mFk

As is the too brief bit of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sIBgP0PLYk

Ned Raggett, Saturday, 3 May 2008 18:47 (fifteen years ago) link

Oh shit. Need to here 'Annette's Got The Hits' and don't have it to hand.
Might go to pub.Do you think it will be on the dukey?

Fer Ark, Saturday, 3 May 2008 19:36 (fifteen years ago) link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjD5Nm75JfQ&feature=related

Sundar, Saturday, 3 May 2008 20:19 (fifteen years ago) link

Neurotica is one of the best albums of the 80s. And was the start of 4 classic albums

"Start" of 4 classic albums????

xhuxk, Saturday, 3 May 2008 21:26 (fifteen years ago) link

Just let it go, dude.

bamcquern, Saturday, 3 May 2008 21:31 (fifteen years ago) link

So is that first EP available ANYWHERE? What about the song "Rich Brat" from one of those "Life Is...So Why Not..." comp LPs?

sleeve, Saturday, 3 May 2008 21:55 (fifteen years ago) link

"Kill Someone You Hate" === Greatest Song EVAR

Smashing windows
with a baseball bat
=== Greatest Introductory Couplet EVAR

SecondBassman, Monday, 5 May 2008 20:16 (fifteen years ago) link

OK I see Rich Brat is on some newish collector scum 7" EP of 79-82 stuff. But that first EP starts at $70 on GEMM, fuck. Can't they just change the name? Who has the rights to Posh Boy these days?

sleeve, Monday, 5 May 2008 21:14 (fifteen years ago) link

TAKE ME TO YOUR COUCH BABE
RECITE SOME SIGMUND FREUD

Sundar, Monday, 5 May 2008 22:23 (fifteen years ago) link

goddamm fucking bootlegggers. I bought that 7" through the mail and it basically says right on the back "sorry about the skip in 'Rich Brat' LOL".

buyer beware.

sleeve, Thursday, 15 May 2008 23:20 (fifteen years ago) link

one month passes...

Me + Toronto + Redd Kross = last Saturday night!

I've seen them many times before but not, obviously, this millenium. All their albums were represented (only Bubblegum Factory from 3rd Eye though) plus some stuff I didn't recognise which may well be new material but was also some obscure early stuff judging by certain crowd members' reaction. I missed Gerri on the keyboards but the huge bonus was Robert Hecker back on guitar. Jeez, this guy is a rock'n'roll guitar genius, even if he looks like a jazz nut with his white suit, silk tie and weird little orange guitar slung right under his chin. From power chords to manic shreds he ruled the show, and importantly prevented it from being a "McDonald Bros + yr granny = Redd Kross" type affair.

The brothers look older but not old. Steve's still only 41 and I guess Jeff's probably 44 now but it was just like the old days with sweat-soaked hair flying all over the place, synchronised headbanging and all the usual routines. It was a great, tight set - just a bit over an hour but they played tons of songs. None of those eternal endings or jammed-out Beatles covers. Then just to ram home the fact that they haven't changed, they closed the show with "Good Times" theme with Hecker taking the lead vocal.

This was the most jumping around I've done at a show in years.

everything, Tuesday, 17 June 2008 00:56 (fifteen years ago) link

Awesome. Would love to see them again. I would imagine the older songs were from the red cross ep?

Herman G. Neuname, Tuesday, 17 June 2008 00:58 (fifteen years ago) link

I reckon so. They must've played about 6 real short songs that I couldn't place. I'm ashamed to say that I've got (a bootleg of) that ep, plus Born Innocent but probably only played them a couple of times each. My Redd Kross doesn't really begin until Teen Babes.

everything, Tuesday, 17 June 2008 01:02 (fifteen years ago) link

theres rehearsal footage where they play those songs last year on youtube.

Herman G. Neuname, Tuesday, 17 June 2008 01:05 (fifteen years ago) link

the ep is great. born innocent not so.

Herman G. Neuname, Tuesday, 17 June 2008 01:05 (fifteen years ago) link

Those old numbers sounded fantastic. Really sharp. I admit I was getting a little bit impatient when they played Crazy World and Pretty Please Me. I was thinking "fuck it's been 10 years, now I've got 75 minutes with you guys, why are you wasting playing these corny covers when you could be playing Monolith or Shonen Knife." Of course then they would launch into Switchblade Sister or something equally awesome.

everything, Tuesday, 17 June 2008 02:59 (fifteen years ago) link

two years pass...

Just found the first EP on the Killed by Death site. What an awesome six-songs-in-six-minutes that is. Don't think they were ever better.

ithappens, Tuesday, 9 November 2010 15:40 (thirteen years ago) link

^

naked human hands and a foam rubber head (contenderizer), Tuesday, 9 November 2010 18:39 (thirteen years ago) link

the ep is great. born innocent not so.

― Herman G. Neuname, Monday, June 16, 2008 9:05 PM

wrong

jabbascript (am0n), Tuesday, 9 November 2010 18:50 (thirteen years ago) link

these guys are fun. the Replacements are not fun.

Οὖτις, Sunday, 30 December 2018 00:57 (five years ago) link

Yes, you guys are otm.

Spirit of the Voice of the Beehive (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 30 December 2018 01:37 (five years ago) link

So one McDonald brother is married to Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Gos, as mentioned upthread (by Shakey's brother?), and the other to Anna Waronker, also mentioned upthread (by the same guy), of That Dog.

Spirit of the Voice of the Beehive (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 30 December 2018 01:47 (five years ago) link

Saw them do an amazing greatest hits set last week. Brilliant as ever. All their albums were reissued on vinyl so they played something from every one, plus some choice covers. Just wonderful.

everything, Sunday, 30 December 2018 05:02 (five years ago) link

To me it’s just stuff the McDonalds grew up with, whereas with the mats I sorta feel the cheesy covers is a lot of Westerberg trying to convince the rest of the band to try

Master of Treacle, Sunday, 30 December 2018 05:23 (five years ago) link

I had to wait 18 years to get a chance to see RK live, as I discovered them the year after Show World was released. I was initially disappointed it would be a mere support slot to Melvins (who do nothing whatsoever for me), but they crammed so much into that 50 minute set, including the entire Teen Babes mini-album, that it was definitely worth the extremely long wait.

PaulTMA, Sunday, 30 December 2018 13:25 (five years ago) link

For the record that’s not my brother (update yr spreadsheet)

Οὖτις, Sunday, 30 December 2018 15:53 (five years ago) link

They're more like Sparks than Poison.

What is the best Sparks stuff to listen to for a RK fan?

Locked in silent monologue, in silent scream (Sund4r), Sunday, 30 December 2018 16:04 (five years ago) link

The glam era stuff i suppose? Altho I dont really hear many similarities tbh

Οὖτις, Sunday, 30 December 2018 16:06 (five years ago) link

(Look What the Cat Dragged In still weirdly feels to me like a mersh version of what RK were doing ca. Third Eye but I'm OK with being the only person who hears it.)

Locked in silent monologue, in silent scream (Sund4r), Sunday, 30 December 2018 16:12 (five years ago) link

(Third Eye is a lot better, though, imo. More dynamic rhythm section, for one thing.)

Locked in silent monologue, in silent scream (Sund4r), Sunday, 30 December 2018 16:13 (five years ago) link

Oh, interesting, The McDonalds actually discussed the overlap here, referring to a time they played a gig with Poison, and had ambivalent feelings about them:

JEFF: ...We started hearing about these bands who claimed they were influenced by the New York Dolls. So we were like, "Yeah cool, let's play a gig with them." Because, like you said, at that time, we were the only group who were into that kind of thing. We played our one and only heavy metal show at the Country Club in Reseda. It was Poison, Redd Kross and Leather Wolf.

STEVE: When we heard that Poison called themselves the "Glam Slam Kings of Noise," we thought it was a direct reference to the Runaways song "Queens of Noise." And we thought anyone who is into the Runaways has gotta be cool.

JEFF: We were so excited to see Poison, but when we did we were totally appalled. It was like Dynasty on parade...

STEVE: And not the KISS album, the TV show!

...
JEFF: No, I'm not picking on them. Poison were very entertaining. I mean, c'mon, they're responsible for some of the greatest rock videos of all time--"Unskinny Bop." They brought the whole Ron Jeremy aesthetic into rock 'n' roll videos. They're awesome. And that stuff is coming back, I would never write it off.

Apparently, they also used to enjoy crank calling the Poison guys.

Locked in silent monologue, in silent scream (Sund4r), Sunday, 30 December 2018 16:28 (five years ago) link

For the record that’s not my brother (update yr spreadsheet)

Sorry, I’m not jaymc. My Ilx0r spreadsheet has not been upgraded in a long time, now gone past EOL to EOS.

Spirit of the Voice of the Beehive (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 30 December 2018 16:29 (five years ago) link

They brought the whole Ron Jeremy aesthetic into rock 'n' roll videos. T

gross/lol/otm

weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Sunday, 30 December 2018 20:03 (five years ago) link

minus the T
whoops

weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Sunday, 30 December 2018 20:03 (five years ago) link

For me, a whole album of variations on “Zira” would be the greatest glam-metal album ever

Master of Treacle, Sunday, 30 December 2018 21:24 (five years ago) link

Yeah, I love that one.

Locked in silent monologue, in silent scream (Sund4r), Sunday, 30 December 2018 21:26 (five years ago) link

Yall know about these reissues right? And Dec. tour:
https://reddkross.com/merge-reissuing-two-redd-kross-albums-in-december/

dow, Monday, 31 December 2018 02:29 (five years ago) link

That’s pretty much what inspired the revive. The streaming version thereof at least

Spirit of the Voice of the Beehive (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 31 December 2018 02:50 (five years ago) link

Saw them open for Sonic Youth once. Didn't know much about them, but was blown away how they stood and rocked out like gods.

I think they inspired SY to rock out more themselves. Like they couldn't just come out and noodle around for 90 minutes after that.

nicky lo-fi, Monday, 31 December 2018 17:19 (five years ago) link

I saw them on the tour for Annie's Gone in downtown Ontario, where iirc they were opening for Jellyfish? They were great, loved their headbanging-in-tandem schtick.

Οὖτις, Monday, 31 December 2018 17:24 (five years ago) link

er Third Eye, that is

Οὖτις, Monday, 31 December 2018 17:24 (five years ago) link

Worth noting that the MacDonalds are 10 years younger than Sonic Youth despite emerging at the same time. Steve just turned 50. They are just as lively now as the were when Third Eye was released and if anything they are a tighter band. Currently Dale from the Melvin's is on drums. This is not a "Steve & Jeff and yr granny on bongos" thing. You have to be really good to be in this band.

everything, Monday, 31 December 2018 20:38 (five years ago) link

don't underestimate yr granny

still that's interesting. didn't know they were so young!

weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 31 December 2018 20:42 (five years ago) link

Perhaps one reason they've so frequently referenced David Cassidy, Linda Blair, Cowsills etc is because being in the late 70s LA punk scene and signed to a label age 12 and 14 gave them a similar perspective as these child stars. Steve has touched on not having a normal childhood in interviews.

everything, Monday, 31 December 2018 20:57 (five years ago) link

Iirc, they were about 13 when they made Born Innocent? (Kim Gordon was almost 30 when Confusion Is Sex was released.) xp!

Locked in silent monologue, in silent scream (Sund4r), Monday, 31 December 2018 20:58 (five years ago) link

Everything is probably right.

Locked in silent monologue, in silent scream (Sund4r), Monday, 31 December 2018 21:03 (five years ago) link

Is that for this thread?

Spirit of the Voice of the Beehive (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 31 December 2018 21:47 (five years ago) link

those reissues have been issued previously thru the mailing list but they deserve a wider pressing

Oor Neechy, Tuesday, 1 January 2019 00:31 (five years ago) link

At the concert it was wonderful to see every album laid out on the merch table, like a huge family reunion. Even as a long time fan there were some I'd never seen on vinyl before.

everything, Tuesday, 1 January 2019 01:34 (five years ago) link

two months pass...

they're playing twice today. friend called last night with a extra tik to echoplex benefit show that took a long time to get announced. they're headlining early and then i guess going across the street to another benefit (that looks potentially awesome as well) https://reddkross.com/
never seen 'em before and am quite psyched

The immortal Hydra Viridisimma (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 24 March 2019 14:32 (five years ago) link

fun!! i wanna see redd kross! what is the benefit for?

weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Sunday, 24 March 2019 15:08 (five years ago) link

echoplex show is benefit for original drummer (Janet) that has cancer. my friend donated to a gofundme in August, hence was given tix to this. the show @ the echo is a autism benefit w/ a pretty impressive lineup -Elliot Easton, guys from the dB's, Steve Wynn, Baseball Project, etc.

The immortal Hydra Viridisimma (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 24 March 2019 15:19 (five years ago) link

:( poor janet
hope she recovers!!

weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Sunday, 24 March 2019 15:28 (five years ago) link

two months pass...

New album in August!

Thus Spoke Darraghustra (Oor Neechy), Thursday, 30 May 2019 21:49 (four years ago) link

O_O

All along there is the sound of feedback (Sund4r), Friday, 31 May 2019 00:11 (four years ago) link

two years pass...

classic

unknown or illegal user (doo rag), Wednesday, 23 March 2022 04:54 (two years ago) link

I was supposed to be seeing them in a week but they pulled the whole tour :(

even the birds in the trees seemed to whisper "get fucked" (bovarism), Wednesday, 23 March 2022 10:20 (two years ago) link


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