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.
Kiss the Goat
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For a dead man's eye, yeah
Everything in sight
Anything that money can buy - oh yeah
I took on a chance
On a dance with the ocean - move so slow
Invisible phantom motion
(Phantom me-motion-invisible Phantom motion)
On and on dictates the groove
I found that I - I found I had no shoes
One foot in front
One foot behind me
The evil eye
It made me walk the line - oh no
A girl was there
She had a pompous glare
I held her hand
Had to be her man
(Had to be her - Had to be her - Man - man - yeah)
On and on dictates the groove
I found that I - I found I had no shoes
I want to go home again
I want to go home again
I want to go home again
I want to go home
No turning back
You've made you choices
It's time for you
It's time for you to kiss the goat
I want to go home again
I want to go home again
I want to go home again
I
I want to go home again
I want to go home again
I want to go home again
I want to go home
The lyrics to Redd Kross's song "Kiss the Goat" are an enigmatic and cryptic exploration of the human experience, full of surreal images and bizarre juxtapositions. The song opens with the line "Oh, fifty cents for a dead man's eye," which sets the tone for the macabre and unsettling atmosphere that pervades the track. The singer then goes on to describe how he is willing to buy "anything that money can buy," implying a sense of avarice and a desire for material possessions.
The next section of the song introduces the theme of movement and transformation, as the singer takes "a chance on a dance with the ocean" and experiences an "invisible phantom motion." This sense of change and uncertainty is reflected in the music's driving, pulsing rhythm, which seems to mirror the ebb and flow of the waves.
The final lines of the song introduce a note of fatalism, as the singer declares that "it's time for you to kiss the goat" and realizes that there is no turning back from the choices he has made. The repeated refrain of "I want to go home again" suggests a longing for a sense of familiarity and security in the face of life's uncertainties, but ultimately there is a sense of acceptance and resignation that permeates the track.
Overall, "Kiss the Goat" is an enigmatic and multi-layered song that invites interpretation and reflection. Its haunting atmosphere and evocative imagery make it a masterful piece of music that leaves a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, fifty cents
A small price to pay
For a dead man's eye, yeah
For something of no use or value
Everything in sight
All that can be seen
Anything that money can buy - oh yeah
All that can be purchased
I took on a chance
I risked it all
On a dance with the ocean - move so slow
On a journey that moves leisurely
Invisible phantom motion
Movement that is unseen
(Phantom me-motion-invisible Phantom motion)
A lyrical repetition of the previous line
On and on dictates the groove
The rhythm continues endlessly
I found that I - I found I had no shoes
I realized I was unprepared
One foot in front
I take things step by step
One foot behind me
I leave my past behind
The evil eye
The gaze of negativity
It made me walk the line - oh no
It forced me to conform
A girl was there
A woman caught my eye
She had a pompous glare
She looked down on me
I held her hand
I pursued her affections
Had to be her man
I hoped to be her partner
(Had to be her - Had to be her - Man - man - yeah)
A lyrical repetition of the previous line
I want to go home again
I desire safety and familiarity
No turning back
There is no route for retreat
You've made you choices
Your decisions have been made
It's time for you
You must face the consequences
It's time for you to kiss the goat
You must perform the ritual sacrifice
I
A lyrical interlude
I want to go home again
A repetition of a previous desire for safety
I
A lyrical interlude
I want to go home again
A repetition of a previous desire for safety
I
A lyrical interlude
I want to go home again
A repetition of a previous desire for safety
I want to go home
A final plea for safety and familiarity
Writer(s): Edward J. Kurdziel, Steven Shane Mcdonald, Jeffrey A. Mcdonald Copyright: Songs Of Polygram Int. Inc., Vociferous Music, Zelda Rocks Music, Bad Papaya Music
Contributed by David F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Janine Janine
<3 love this song!