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.
Monolith
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you want another war
Something big, something more?
Lightning god lives in the sky
Are you not like other guys
Sheets of rain and light that blinds
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
All I need is the ground at my feet and to love you
All I need is the warmth on my face
And it's you that makes me feel this way
Little girl what do you want
Is it something that I've got
Maybe yes or maybe not
Hands that reach to touch the sea
A man in love is hard to be
The price you pay is never free
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
All I need is the ground at my feet and to love you
All I need is the warmth on my face
And it's you that makes me feel this way
Just give me a kiss
On top of the monolith
Don't hide away because
The light today is stars in flames
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is
In Redd Kross's song "Monolith," the lyrics paint the picture of a world that is rotten to the core and potentially headed towards another war. The lightning god is referenced, perhaps as a symbol of a higher power, while the rain and blinding light suggest chaos and destruction. The chorus, however, takes a turn towards simplicity and love, with the singer expressing a desire for sunshine and the warmth of their partner's love. The second half of the song brings in a little girl, whose desires are unknown, but the singer reflects on the price one pays to be in love. The song ends with a plea for a kiss atop a monolith, with the stars themselves seeming to be aflame with an uncertain future.
Overall, the song seems to grapple with the theme of contrast - the darkness and chaos of the world around us, versus the simplicity and beauty of love and nature. It also touches on the desire for something greater, potentially symbolized by the lightning god, while recognizing the inherent cost and risk that comes with love. The final request for a kiss atop the monolith suggests a kind of defiance - despite the uncertain future, the singer is still looking for moments of beauty and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Rotten world black to the core
The world is a corrupt and dark place
Do you want another war
Are you willing to go through another big, destructive conflict?
Something big, something more?
Is there something else, even bigger or more devastating, that we should be concerned about?
Lightning god lives in the sky
The powerful force of nature, lightning, is a manifestation of a god-like deity
Are you not like other guys
Are you different from the majority of people?
Sheets of rain and light that blinds
Intense rain and lightning can be overwhelming and blinding
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Occasionally, I yearn for the warmth and light of the sun
All I need is the ground at my feet and to love you
I only require the stability of the earth beneath me and your love to be content
All I need is the warmth on my face
The sensation of the sun's rays on my skin is enough to make me happy
And it's you that makes me feel this way
Your presence and love fulfill me
Little girl what do you want
What is it that you desire, young one?
Is it something that I've got
Do I possess what you're looking for?
Maybe yes or maybe not
It's possible that I have what you're seeking, but maybe not
Hands that reach to touch the sea
Reaching out to touch vast and endless things, like the sea
A man in love is hard to be
It's challenging to be a man in love
The price you pay is never free
There are always consequences and costs associated with our actions and desires
Just give me a kiss
I simply want a kiss
On top of the monolith
At the peak of the large, towering structure
Don't hide away because
Don't conceal yourself from me, for
The light today is stars in flames
The light shining down upon us is fierce and fiery, like stars in flames
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEFFREY A. MCDONALD, STEVEN SHANE MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jon S.
Rotten world black to the core
Do you want another war
Something big, something more?
Lightning god lives in the sky
Are you not like other guys
Sheets of rain and light that blinds
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is
All I need is the ground at my feet and to love you
All I need is the warmth on my face
And it's you that makes me feel this way
Little girl what do you want
Is it something that I've got
Maybe yes or maybe not
Hands that reach to touch the sea
A man in love is hard to be
The price you pay is never free
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
All I need is the ground at my feet and to love you
All I need is the warmth on my face
And it's you that makes me feel this way
Just give me a kiss
On top of the monolith
Don't hide away because
The light today is stars in flames
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is
Songwriters: JEFFREY A. MCDONALD, STEVEN SHANE MCDONALD
SerialGothQueens
How they didn't become absolutely massive from this album is beyond me; I saw them live 3 times when they toured for it, and they were brilliant!
MrJavabali
I've been asking myself the very same question ever since this record came out in '93. I was blown away by it and still wonder today how this record and Redd Kross managed to remain under the radar. One of the mysteries of life!
AJ RV
SerialGothQueens That is a good question. This is such a great record. It must have been a matter of management, image, momentum. Still they remain a memorable band.
J Greigh
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, to me
Carlos Domínguez
Absolute TOP band. This album and SHOW WORLD are two of the great albums of the 90s. Period.
Jon S.
Rotten world black to the core
Do you want another war
Something big, something more?
Lightning god lives in the sky
Are you not like other guys
Sheets of rain and light that blinds
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is
All I need is the ground at my feet and to love you
All I need is the warmth on my face
And it's you that makes me feel this way
Little girl what do you want
Is it something that I've got
Maybe yes or maybe not
Hands that reach to touch the sea
A man in love is hard to be
The price you pay is never free
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
All I need is the ground at my feet and to love you
All I need is the warmth on my face
And it's you that makes me feel this way
Just give me a kiss
On top of the monolith
Don't hide away because
The light today is stars in flames
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is the sunshine
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I need is
Sometimes, sometimes, all I want is
Songwriters: JEFFREY A. MCDONALD, STEVEN SHANE MCDONALD
Bill W
This whole CD is a love letter to Cheap Trick's early days. I would now add, everything they have done after 1997...even though this came out in 93...they were from the future
SxDx1986
Love this song
SxDx1986
Im just discovering this band.fml...theyre good
Santiago Fuentes
Great song