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.
Follow The Leader
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus]
Follow the leader, leader, leader follow the leader. [Repeat: x4]
Up, down, up, down, everybody up, down, up, down.
And now one hand in the air, and turn from the left to the right.
Left, right [Repeat: x12]
[Chorus]
Turn for the left, turn for the right, turn for the left, turn for the right. [Repeat: x2]
Clap, and wait
Clap, and wait [Repeat: x2]
[Chorus]
Now repeat after me, you repeat after me.
Say I love soca
(I love soca)
Say I love soca
(I love soca)
Now somebody, anybody everybody scream.
[Chorus]
Now we jump on the way, are you ready for jump?
One, two, one two three four.
Jump and wave, jump and wave, jump and wave, jump, jump, jump, jump. [Repeat: x2]
Sing
[Chorus]
The roof the roof the roof is our fire, we don't need no watherlander, yeah.
[Chorus]
And scream
The lyrics of Redd Kross's song "Follow the Leader" is all about giving in to the moment and following the lead of the charismatic leader, whose personality and energy is infectious. The song starts with the repetition of the phrase, “the roof, the roof, the roof is our fire,” which is used as a metaphor for the passion and energy that they feel. The chorus then repeats the command to "follow the leader," signaling that everyone is encouraged to let go and let their leader guide them.
The verses contain dance instructions, urging everyone to move up and down, with one hand in the air, and turning to the left and right. This is then followed by the beat dropping, allowing for an interlude of clapping and waiting for the next instruction. The song also encourages the audience to repeat after the lead singer, repeating the phrase “I love soca”. Lastly, the song incorporates jumping and waving, adding to the excitement of the party atmosphere. Overall, the song, with its repetition and dance instructions, signals a time of letting loose and following the lead of those around you.
Line by Line Meaning
The roof, the roof the roof is our fire.
Our passion burns brightly like a fire.
Follow the leader, leader, leader follow the leader.
Let's follow the one who inspires us.
Up, down, up, down, everybody up, down, up, down.
Let's move to the beat together.
And now one hand in the air, and turn from the left to the right.
Let's express ourselves freely and dance.
Left, right [Repeat: x12]
Keep on moving and exploring different directions.
Turn for the left, turn for the right, turn for the left, turn for the right. [Repeat: x2]
Let's keep turning and enjoying the moment.
Clap, and wait Clap, and wait [Repeat: x2]
Let's pause and appreciate the music.
Now repeat after me, you repeat after me. Say I love soca (I love soca) Say I love soca (I love soca)
Let's affirm our shared love for this genre together.
Now somebody, anybody everybody scream.
Let's release our energy and scream out loud!
Now we jump on the way, are you ready for jump? One, two, one two three four. Jump and wave, jump and wave, jump and wave, jump, jump, jump, jump. [Repeat: x2]
Let's jump and move our bodies without hesitation.
The roof the roof the roof is our fire, we don't need no watherlander, yeah.
Our passion is strong enough to ignite everything around us, and we don't need any external validation.
And scream
Let's scream again to express our joy and enthusiasm.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JERRY BLOODROCK, CELITE EVANS, RICHARD FOWLER, NIGEL TIMOTHY LEWIS, CHARLES PETTIFORD, GREGORY CARLTON WIGFALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind