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.
Cellulite City
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
with my LCD digital pen
I've done no good
committed no sin
please tell me now
what's cool and what's in
it's 11:38
nothing I like
see the people all in a row
just want you
to give them a show
numb bored and not amused
cause it's everyday on the news
I can't play this
I can't write that
cellulite city
that's fat
well I guess
I can't control your mind
at least it was worth a try
there's something here that you
can't deny
we just want
to make your brain fry
solo break
natas! natas! natas! natas!
natas! natas!
"Cellulite City" by Redd Kross is a song that comments on the monotony and lack of excitement in modern society. The lyrics express a feeling of disconnection and apathy towards the world around us, with the singer struggling to find anything that is interesting or engaging. He writes the song with an LCD digital pen, highlighting the ubiquitous presence of technology that has made our lives easier but also more dull.
The chorus "I can't play this, I can't write that, cellulite city that's fat" criticizes the conformity and narrow-mindedness of modern culture, where people are too afraid to step outside of the norm and innovate. The line "at least it was worth a try, there's something here that you can't deny, we just want to make your brain fry" suggests that the band is attempting to shake up the listeners and offer them something new and exciting.
The solo break in the middle of the song, with the repeated chanting of "natas!" (which is "Satan" spelled backward), adds to the rebellious tone of the song and further highlights the band's desire to challenge societal norms.
Overall, "Cellulite City" is a commentary on the dullness and conformity of modern society, with Redd Kross attempting to offer something different and exciting.
Line by Line Meaning
I sit here writing this song
The singer is in the process of creating a musical piece.
with my LCD digital pen
The singer is using modern technology to help him write music.
I've done no good
The singer has not committed any malicious acts or wrongdoings.
committed no sin
The singer has not broken any ethical or moral codes.
please tell me now
The singer is looking for guidance or opinions from others.
what's cool and what's in
The singer is curious about current trends and cultural norms.
it's 11:38
The current time is conveyed to create a sense of urgency or immediacy.
nothing I like
The singer is dissatisfied with the options or opportunities available to him.
and nothing I hate
The singer is not offended or repulsed by anything in particular.
see the people all in a row
The singer is observing a crowd or audience in front of him.
just want you
The crowd desires entertainment or stimulation from the performer.
to give them a show
The audience craves a performance or spectacle from the singer.
numb bored and not amused
The singer perceives the audience to be uninterested, unengaged, and uninspired.
cause it's everyday on the news
The singer believes that people are desensitized to the sensationalism and repetition of mainstream media.
I can't play this
The singer feels limited or restricted in his musical choices or ability.
I can't write that
The singer feels restrained or censored in his lyrical or musical expression.
cellulite city
The term 'cellulite city' is used metaphorically to refer to a place full of unattractive and unappealing elements.
that's fat
The singer is using 'fat' as a descriptor for something that is undesirable or unappealing.
well I guess
The singer expresses uncertainty or a lack of confident decision-making.
I can't control your mind
The singer acknowledges that he cannot force or influence others' thoughts or opinions.
at least it was worth a try
The singer is optimistic that his efforts were not in vain or wasted.
there's something here that you
The singer believes that his music contains a valuable or worthwhile message.
can't deny
The singer implies that his message is impossible to refute or ignore.
we just want
The singer is referring to himself and his bandmates.
to make your brain fry
The singer desires to excite or stimulate his audience intellectually or emotionally.
solo break
The music is transitioning to a solo instrumental performance.
natas! natas! natas! natas!
The repetition of the word 'natas' is likely an exclamation or call-to-action for the listeners to become more active or energized.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JEFFREY MCDONALD, STEVEN MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind