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.
Blow You a Kiss in the Wind
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little atmosphere
And it wails like this
Wherever you are tonight
I feeling healthy that you look outta sight
So I'm gonna blow you a kiss in the wind
You're gonna smile and feel me oh so near
So I'm gonna blow you a kiss in the wind
Im lying here, here in my bed, yeah
Pretty images and pictures runnin through my head
About a girl I can see, I can almost hear you talkin
Oh my God, I love you and I miss you so much
Wherever you are tonight
I feeling healthy that you look outta sight
So I'm gonna blow you a kiss in the wind
The song "Blow You a Kiss in the Wind" by Redd Kross is a love song about missing someone special. The opening line "A little drums, a little atmosphere, and it wails like this" sets the tone for the upbeat and catchy melody that follows. The lyrics then proceed to express longing for a loved one who is not physically present. The singer wishes to send a kiss through the wind to make the loved one feel closer to them while stating that the person is constantly on their mind.
The second verse further emphasizes the feelings of missing the loved one by describing how the singer is lying in bed thinking about the person. The singer imagines the person and can almost hear them talking. The chorus is then repeated, with the singer expressing how they are feeling healthy and that the loved one looks out of sight, as if they are still present with them. This highlights the power of imagination to bring the missing person closer, even if only figuratively.
The song is a heartfelt and sincere expression of love and longing. It shows how powerful the human imagination can be in bringing people closer emotionally, even when they are not physically present. The song highlights the power of music to express emotions and connect people, even across distances.
Line by Line Meaning
A little drums
Starting with some percussion
A little atmosphere
Creating an ambiance
And it wails like this
Resulting in a sound like this
Wherever you are tonight
No matter where you are tonight
I feeling healthy that you look outta sight
I believe you are looking great
So I'm gonna blow you a kiss in the wind
I'll send you a kiss on the breeze
And when it reaches your lips, my dear
Once it touches your lips, my love
You're gonna smile and feel me oh so near
You'll smile and sense me close
So I'm gonna blow you a kiss in the wind
I'll send you a kiss on the breeze
Im lying here, here in my bed, yeah
I'm resting in my bed right now
Pretty images and pictures runnin through my head
Memories of you in my thoughts
About a girl I can see, I can almost hear you talkin
Thinking about a girl, imagining our conversation
Oh my God, I love you and I miss you so much
Expressing how much I love and miss you
Wherever you are tonight
No matter where you are tonight
I feeling healthy that you look outta sight
I believe you are looking great
So I'm gonna blow you a kiss in the wind
I'll send you a kiss on the breeze
Contributed by Sydney G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bcjaliu
I love Redd Kross. Best band possible out there that could cover this cool song too!
@terrypussypower
“Teen Babes From Monsanto” is a wicked album! Some of the best cover versions ever! Their version of The Stones’ “Citadel” is right up there with the original!
@jaymythxxxx
First heard this on a compilation album called ''Good feeling Vol 1'' on (I think) 53rd & 3rd label, 1987. If you ever come across this album, pick it up; it's THE best compilation album ever.
@bjscorpio4041
The low definition VHS makes this video feel more real.
@ShereeMartin
Absolutely LOVE this. Love Redd Kross. Love this Cover!
@sxnico
they WAILED it like SERENA!!!
@sidgriffin813
Yeah, that is definitely Vick and Deb's younger brother on drums. And, ahem, I play the harmonica solo which starts at 1:23, check the LP out and you will see my credit. They are miming here but what a fun band! Totally underrated act.
@birdy1numnum
+Sid Griffin are you kidding me? ONE of thee best bands out of LA, PERIOD. And really they still are...oh Redd Kross, you are so good in every single way. These guys were always ahead of the game, lots of humor, amazing musicianship and the hair. So underappreciated yet loved by many!
@heyjude99
Hi is the drummers name roy mcdonald?. No relationship to jeff & steve
@dailyflash
@@heyjude99 Yes. The drummer is Roy McDonald and the coincidently have the same last name. I knew Roy in the mid 80's. He was a drummer in the psych/paisley scene of the mid 80's, as was I. Steve and Jeff interacted with a lot of people in that scene. Very fun days.