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.
Jimmy
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right hand strumming while the left hand grips
Broken fingers turn to broken dreams
Nobody splits until the hag screams
Howlin' Wolf will never understand
Doty Crips, the Bloods or Zeppelin
Jimmy's fantasy of love and deception
Have you seen the witch she's on the side
In the bush where Jeannie Brooks must hide
Cast the hex with your echo-plex
You don't ever want to have sex
Jimmy's fantasy of love and affection
Jimmy's fantasy of love and deception
Jimmy's fantasy of love and affection
Jimmy's fantasy of everything that is bad in this world
Jimmy's fantasy of love and affection
Jimmy's fantasy of hate with an erection
Jimmy's fantasy of love and deception
Jimmy's fantasy of everything that is bad in this world
The lyrics of Redd Kross's song Jimmy highlight a story of a young man named Jimmy, who seems to be struggling with his fantasies of love, hate and deception. The opening lines "Climb the mountain with your fingertips, right hand strumming while the left hand grips" suggest the singer's determination to climb up the ladder of success, despite the difficult circumstances he faces. However, the second line "Broken fingers turn to broken dreams, nobody splits until the hag screams" hints at his frustration and despair as he realizes that his dreams are shattered and he cannot leave until someone demands him to.
The following lines "Howlin' Wolf will never understand, Doty Crips, the Bloods or Zeppelin" seem to suggest that Jimmy feels misunderstood and alienated from society. He still holds onto his fantasy of love and affection, represented by the repeated lines "Jimmy's fantasy of love and affection, Jimmy's fantasy of love and deception." However, the mention of the witch and casting a hex reveals his darker desires and fantasies, suggesting a troubled and conflicted mind.
Overall, Redd Kross's song Jimmy paints a vivid picture of a young man caught between his desires for love and hate, struggling to find his place in the world, and dealing with the consequences of his inner turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Climb the mountain with your fingertips
Strive hard and tirelessly to achieve success
Right hand strumming while the left hand grips
Steadfastly pursue one's passion or goal, while holding on for dear life with the other hand
Broken fingers turn to broken dreams
Failed attempts or setbacks can crush one's aspirations or desires
Nobody splits until the hag screams
Don't give up until one reaches the goal or achieves success, no matter what obstacles or challenges arise
Howlin' Wolf will never understand
Outsiders looking in will never comprehend personal struggles or experiences
Doty Crips, the Bloods or Zeppelin
Different groups with different experiences might not relate or understand each other
Jimmy's fantasy of love and affection
Jimmy's desire for love and attention
Jimmy's fantasy of love and deception
Jimmy's longing for love that is not genuine or honest
Have you seen the witch she's on the side
Beware of negativity or obstacles that might arise along the path to success
In the bush where Jeannie Brooks must hide
Obstacles might require avoidance or navigating around in order to achieve success
Cast the hex with your echo-plex
Use one's tools and skills to overcome challenges or obstacles
You don't ever want to have sex
Beware of succumbing to temptations or distractions that might impede success
Jimmy's fantasy of hate with an erection
Jimmy's longing for negative emotions, fueled by personal desires or insecurities
Jimmy's fantasy of everything that is bad in this world
Jimmy's inability to see the good in the world, and instead focusing on negativity or personal desires
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFFREY A. MCDONALD, STEVEN SHANE MCDONALD, EDWARD J. KURDZIEL, BILL J. BARTELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind