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.
Only a Girl
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They wait on you
But in your absence girl
They don't know what to do
Red carpet ecstasy
You are in style
You are not evil girl
Go to the window
Won't you look to the sky
Because that teenage guise
Ain't gonna make you wise
Can I wish you away
Only a girl (only a girl)
Only a girl like you
Can be uncool, unkind
Good
Majestic sweetie pie
You sit enthroned
I will agree with you
If you leave me alone
You better go to the window
Won't you look to the sky
Because that teenage guise
Ain't gonna make you wise
Can I wish you away
Only a girl (only a girl)
Only a girl like you can be uncool, unkind
Good
Can I wish you away
'Cause you're only a girl
'Cause only a girl like you can be so uncool, unkind
Goodbye
Only only only a girl
Only only only a girl
Only only only a girl
Only only only a girl
The song "Only A Girl" by Redd Kross is a commentary on the societal pressures that are placed upon young girls, particularly in the entertainment industry. The lyrics suggest that the girl in question is a celebrity of some sort, with a loyal fan club that waits on her. However, the song seems to suggest that this girl is trapped by her fame and the expectations placed upon her. She is not evil, but perhaps temporarily "uncool" or "unkind" in order to maintain her image.
The lyrics also emphasize the idea that being a teenage girl does not necessarily result in wisdom, despite the outward appearance of confidence and poise that may be projected. The line "that teenage guise ain't gonna make you wise" speaks to the idea that young girls are often expected to be mature beyond their years, but may not have the life experience or wisdom to actually back up that expectation.
In the end, the song seems to suggest that the singer of the song is struggling with the pressures and expectations of her fame, and that there may be a desire among those around her to "wish her away" in order to alleviate some of that pressure.
Line by Line Meaning
Your loyal fan club
Your group of followers who stick with you
They wait on you
They are eager to hear from you and support you
But in your absence girl
However, when you are not around
They don't know what to do
They feel lost and unsure without your guidance or presence
Red carpet ecstasy
You are a star and receive lots of attention
You are in style
You are fashionable and trendy
You are not evil girl
You are not inherently bad or malicious
Well, maybe for a while
But you may have your mischievous or rebellious moments
Go to the window
Look outside
Won't you look to the sky
Specifically, look up at the sky
Because that teenage guise
Your youthful appearance and demeanor
Ain't gonna make you wise
Doesn't necessarily mean you are knowledgeable or wise because of your age
Can I wish you away
Can I make you disappear or go away from me
Only a girl (only a girl)
Specifically, only a young woman
Only a girl like you
Only someone who fits the description of the subject addressed in the song
Can be uncool, unkind
May lack nice qualities or be unpleasant at times
Good
End of the verse
Majestic sweetie pie
A description of the subject with affectionate language
You sit enthroned
You hold a high position or status in your world
I will agree with you
I will not argue with you or contradict you
If you leave me alone
As long as you don't bother me or invade my space
Can I wish you away
Repetition of previous verse
Only a girl (only a girl)
Repetition of previous chorus
Only a girl like you can be uncool, unkind
Repetition of previous chorus
Good
End of the song
Can I wish you away
Repetition of previous verse
'Cause you're only a girl
Reiteration that the subject is specifically a young woman
'Cause only a girl like you can be so uncool, unkind
Reiteration of previous chorus
Goodbye
End of the song
Only only only a girl
Repetition for emphasis
Only only only a girl
Repetition for emphasis
Only only only a girl
Repetition for emphasis
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEFFREY A. MCDONALD, STEVEN SHANE MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Owens
I just can’t get over how fantastic this song is. That breakdown with the big finish just gets me right in the ya ya’s