At the time of their first self-titled EP, in 1980, the band changed their name to Red Cross, which was allegedly inspired by the masturbation scene in the film, The Exorcist. Ron Reyes became the drummer. 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 musicians including original drummer John Stielow and drummer Janet Housden. 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 At The Bottom" 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 and Tammy Faye Bakker, Tatum O'Neal, 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.
In 1984, Redd Kross returned with drummer Dave Peterson to record Teen Babes from Monsanto, an album featuring songs originally by such artists as KISS, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and The Shangri-Las.
In 1984, lead guitarist Robert Hecker joined the band, as Redd Kross embarked on tour in support of Teen Babes from Monsanto.
In that 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, along with Robert in the sequel Lovedolls Superstar which the brothers co-wrote with Dave Markey and Jennifer Schwartz. Both movies are available now on DVD.
In 1985, drummer Roy McDonald (formerly of The Things, and no relation to the brothers) joined the band.
In 1987, Redd Kross released Neurotica, an album reportedly influenced by Saturday morning cartoons and breakfast cereal (one of the songs was called "Frosted Flake"). Although the album itself was successful, the band's label, Big Time Records folded. The band continued to tour during these years however, and in 1988, drummer Victor Indrizzo joined the band.
On February 20, 1990, Redd Kross appeared on Episode 2 of the cult Public-access television show "Decoupage" with Summer Caprice.
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, and appears in the promotional video for "Annie's Gone", which saw some light rotation on MTV. Brian Reitzell succeeded Irons as drummer in the band, and appears in the promotional video for "1976".
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 and The Spin Doctors 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 toured supporting The Presidents of the United States of America. The band took an indefinite hiatus after the Show World tour, and their future was uncertain after the untimely death of guitarist Eddie Kurdziel on June 6, 1999.
On July 1, 2006, Redd Kross returned to the live stage after almost a decade's absence. The Neurotica-era line up of Jeff McDonald, Steven McDonald, Robert Hecker and Roy McDonald performed a career-spanning set at the REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/Cal Arts Theater) at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. The band has subsequently gone on to play at the Azkena Festival in Spain, the Detour Festival in Los Angeles, give a performance of their entire first EP in honor of Rodney Bingenheimer's being awarded a star on Hollywood Boulevard, and a set consisting of the entire Born Innocent album opening for Sonic Youth (who performed Daydream Nation) at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. They toured Spain and England in January, 2007. They have played a number of one-off shows including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. In 2008 they played the Coachella Festival in Coachella, California; ATP vs Pitchfork festival in Sussex, England; and NXNE Festival in Toronto, Ontario. In 2010, Redd Kross headlined the Turbo Rock Festival in Spain. In 2011 they headlined the POP Montreal Festival.
Redd Kross will tour Australia again as part of the Hoodoo Gurus' 30th Anniversary on the "Dig It Up" Festival concert series.
The band released "Researching the Blues" in 2012.
Any Hour Every Day
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Distortion, that's what you are
Naked electric guitar
While I'm watching you I see myself
Yes the time is right
And I want you now
I'd lose my dignity
Just to have you one more time
Any hour every day
Well, you can have it
Vision, I see the light
Fire in overdrive
While I'm watching you I see myself
Yes the time is right
And I want you now
I'd lose my dignity
Just to have you one more time
Any hour every day
Well, you can have it
Fire in overdrive
Distortion, it comes alive
I'd lose my dignity
Just to have you one more time
Any hour every day
Well, you can have it
You can have it - Any hour, every day
You can have it - Any hour, every day
You can have it - Any hour, every day
You can have it - Any hour, every day
The song "Any Hour Every Day" by Redd Kross is a tribute to the power of electric guitar and the intense emotions it can elicit. The lyrics describe the guitar as "distortion" and "naked," emphasizing its raw and powerful sound. The singer is watching someone play the guitar and sees themselves reflected in the instrument's intensity. The repeated line "I'd lose my dignity / Just to have you one more time" emphasizes the desire for the guitar and its sound. This desire is so strong that the singer would do anything, even sacrifice their dignity, for another chance to experience it. The line "Well, you can have it" suggests that the guitar may be a metaphor for a relationship or connection, further underscoring the intensity of the emotions being described.
The song's second verse is largely a repetition of the first, with the addition of the lines "Vision, I see the light / Fire in overdrive." The light and fire imagery further emphasizes the explosive power of the guitar. The final repetition of the chorus, with the line "You can have it - Any hour, every day" repeated four times, drives home the idea that the singer is completely obsessed with the guitar and would give anything to have it constantly in their life.
Overall, "Any Hour Every Day" is a song about the intense power of music and the way it can consume and transform us. The focus on the guitar as a symbol of this power highlights the uniqueness of the instrument and its ability to elicit strong emotions in listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Distortion, that's what you are
The loud, rough, and distorted sound of the electric guitar is symbolic of the intense passion and raw emotion that defines this relationship
Naked electric guitar
The electric guitar is bared and exposed, a metaphor for the vulnerability and intimacy required for a deep and meaningful connection
While I'm watching you I see myself
Through the act of watching and listening to the music, the singer is able to see themselves and their own desires reflected back to them
Yes the time is right
The moment is ripe for action, and there is no better time than now to engage in this relationship
And I want you now
The artist is overcome with the desire to be with their partner, and this intense longing cannot be ignored
I'd lose my dignity
The singer is willing to sacrifice their pride and self-respect in order to be with the person they love
Just to have you one more time
The desire for physical intimacy and connection is so strong that the singer is willing to risk everything to experience it again
Any hour every day
The artist is available and willing to be with their partner at any time, day or night
Well, you can have it
The artist is offering themselves completely and wholeheartedly to their partner, leaving nothing hidden or held back
Vision, I see the light
The artist can see a future where they are together, and this vision gives them hope and confidence in their pursuit of love
Fire in overdrive
The passion and desire between the two lovers is so intense that it cannot be contained or controlled
Distortion, it comes alive
The intensity of the music and the relationship is brought to life through the distorted sound of the electric guitar
You can have it - Any hour, every day
The singer is repeating their offer to be with their partner at any time, emphasizing the depth and intensity of their love
You can have it - Any hour, every day
The singer is reinforcing their commitment to their partner, repeating their willingness to be with them at all times
You can have it - Any hour, every day
The singer is driving home the point that their love is all-encompassing and unconditional, emphasizing their devotion to their partner
You can have it - Any hour, every day
The artist is reiterating their offer of complete and total commitment, reminding their partner of the depth and sincerity of their love
Contributed by Miles Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.