Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 … Read Full Bio ↴Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school. With the addition of friends Greg Hetson and Dave Keller on guitar and John Stielow on drums, the band's first gig was opening for Black Flag.

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.

Ms Lady Evans
Redd Kross Lyrics

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Wicked witch, she reigned supreme
In rubber phallus dreams

It's OK to be stupid
If everybody else is

Never want to go to that place
All the people there are bad things

It's like Babylon for sad morons
And fools, what can you do

Lady Evans was the one
Who watched us on the prison yard

Unattractive was the main attraction
When she was on guard

Never want to go to that place
All the people there are bad things
It's like Babylon for sad morons
And fools, what can you do

The neighborhood is clear and bright
The people know they're looking fine
You're never gonna leave
It's plain to see
Fallen stars and their stolen cars
In reality, you see

He's the one who rocked the nation
Inter-racial
He's the one who rocked the nation
Inter-racial sex sensation

The neighborhood is clear and bright
The people know they're looking fine
You're never gonna leave
It's plain to see
Fallen stars and their stolen cars
In reality, you see

The neighborhood is good

The neighborhood is good
The neighborhood is good

Overall Meaning

The song "Ms Lady Evans" by Redd Kross explores themes of societal judgment, conformity, and the influence of authority figures. The lyrics depict a wicked witch figure who is perceived as dominant and powerful, symbolized by her "rubber phallus dreams." This suggests that she exerts control over others through unconventional means, possibly representing someone who challenges societal norms and expectations.

The line "It's OK to be stupid if everybody else is" suggests a commentary on the pressure to conform and fit in. The song acknowledges that sometimes people may choose to be ignorant or make foolish decisions because they believe everyone else is doing the same. This line sheds light on the idea that societal norms can often dictate people's behavior, even if it goes against their own better judgment.

The repeated refrain "Never want to go to that place, all the people there are bad things, it's like Babylon for sad morons, and fools, what can you do" conveys a sense of disdain towards a certain environment or community. This could indicate a place or group of people that embody negative qualities and habits, or it may symbolize a metaphorical space where people who don't conform to societal expectations are ostracized and judged.

The mention of "Lady Evans" as someone who watches over the prison yard and is unattractive but still attracts attention when on guard suggests the power dynamics that exist within social structures. Lady Evans represents an authority figure who exerts control and influence despite not fitting traditional beauty standards. This could be interpreted as a critique of how people in positions of power often wield authority based on factors unrelated to their actual capabilities or qualifications.

The following section of the song suggests a shift in focus to the neighborhood, emphasizing its clarity, brightness, and the people feeling good about themselves. It contrasts the negativity depicted earlier. The imagery of fallen stars and stolen cars represents the reality of the neighborhood, illustrating that amidst the idealized image, there are still struggles and imperfections. The repetition of the phrase "The neighborhood is good" reinforces the idea of finding positivity and contentment in one's immediate surroundings, regardless of external judgments or influences.

The final section introduces a mysterious character who rocked the nation through "inter-racial sex sensation." This suggests a subversion of societal expectations and norms surrounding interracial relationships, celebrating this individual's ability to challenge and change perceptions. It implies that through their actions, they made a significant impact on society and challenged deeply ingrained biases.

Overall, "Ms Lady Evans" explores themes of conformity, judgment, the influence of authority figures, societal norms, and the power of challenging expectations, ultimately emphasizing finding the positive in one's immediate environment. The song encourages individuality and highlights the importance of questioning societal norms and recognizing one's own worth and beauty, irrespective of external judgments.

Line by Line Meaning

Wicked witch, she reigned supreme
A powerful and malevolent figure held control completely

In rubber phallus dreams
In delusions related to sexual dominance and fetishism

It's OK to be stupid
Intellectual mediocrity is acceptable

If everybody else is
As long as the majority also lacks intelligence

Never want to go to that place
Avoidance of a specific location

All the people there are bad things
The individuals present possess negative qualities

It's like Babylon for sad morons
Comparable to a city filled with depressed idiots

And fools, what can you do
And fools, what can be done about them

Lady Evans was the one
Lady Evans was the individual

Who watched us on the prison yard
Who observed us within the prison compound

Unattractive was the main attraction
Lack of attractiveness was the primary focus