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.
Party
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Okay, party people in the house
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
I snuck in past my curfew trying hang with the big boys
There were hands swingin', people singin' and others on the wall
Disco lights blinkin' and people big and small
Security finally caught me, talkin' 'bout "Son you're kinda young"
I said, "Beat this Mr. Officer I'm just trying to have some fun"
Now on my way out, this girl said, "Whuddup shorty?"
I broke away from the officer and then said, "Girl, it's time to party"
You know
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Next I went to a club to see what he said I was missin'
Snuck through the back door, it was like "Yeah, I can get with this"
A whole bunch of cuties surrounded by a bunch of moles
With dreadlocks, bell bottoms and a couple wearing Afros
Now I was Krossed Out, totally fly to the T
Getting all the girlies then I got caught by security
He grabbed me up and said, "Yo, I just kicked out your friend
And I don't want to see you and him around here ever again trying out"
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Okay party people in the house
Okay party people in the house
Yeah, part
One night we both decided that we would go together
Totally Krossed Out, into more Krossed Out leather
Now I was lookin' fly from head to toe
And all we both could think about was reaching the back door
We were lookin' diggy diggy doe ready to rock
You know?
But when got to the back door
Oh, the back door shouldn't have be locked
Now Kris was getting mad, but I had other thoughts
Of ways of getting in,
When I was getting caught
So we could
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah, party
Ooh, party, ah
The Redd Kross song "Party" is a classic party anthem that speaks about the excitement and thrill of being young and enjoying life to the fullest. The lyrics chronicle the adventures of the singer sneaking into clubs, getting caught by security guards, and getting kicked out with their friends. However, despite the setbacks, they remain determined to have fun and keep the party going.
The song's opening lines establish the party vibe of the track, inviting listeners to join in on the fun. The singer then recalls a particular night at a club called Roy's, where they tried to fit in with the older crowd. The song captures the thrill of being young and at a club, surrounded by people of all kinds while trying to sneak around.
As the song progresses, the singer moves from one club to another, encountering various characters along the way. The chorus serves as a persistent call to party, reminding us that giving up on having fun is not an option. Ultimately, the song ends with the singer and their friend getting caught again, teasing the possibility of further misadventures in the future.
Overall, "Party" captures the energy of youth culture and the desire to go out and have fun. It's a track that celebrates life in all its chaotic glory and encourages listeners to let loose and join the party.
Line by Line Meaning
Party time
It's time to party!
Okay, party people in the house
Let's get this party started with all the people in the house!
Ooh, party, ah, party
We're excited about the party!
I was at this club, this place called Roy's
I went to a club called Roy's.
I snuck in past my curfew trying hang with the big boys
I sneaked into Roy's after my curfew because I wanted to hang out with older guys.
There were hands swingin', people singin' and others on the wall
At Roy's, people were dancing, singing or just hanging around the walls.
Disco lights blinkin' and people big and small
There were colorful strobe lights and people of all sizes.
Security finally caught me, talkin' 'bout 'Son you're kinda young'
The security finally caught me, and he said that I was too young to be there.
I said, 'Beat this Mr. Officer I'm just trying to have some fun'
I told the security officer that I only wanted to have some fun.
Now on my way out, this girl said, 'Whuddup shorty?'
As I was leaving, a girl called me 'shorty.'
I broke away from the officer and then said, 'Girl, it's time to party'
I got away from the security officer and told the girl that it was time to party.
Next I went to a club to see what he said I was missin'
I went to another club to see what I was missing.
Snuck through the back door, it was like 'Yeah, I can get with this'
I sneaked in through the back door and thought this club was cool.
A whole bunch of cuties surrounded by a bunch of moles
There were a lot of cute girls surrounded by unattractive guys.
With dreadlocks, bell bottoms and a couple wearing Afros
Some people were wearing dreadlocks, while others had bell-bottoms, and a few had Afros.
Now I was Krossed Out, totally fly to the T
I was 'Krossed Out' (i.e., dressed in a Kross style) and looked pretty cool.
Getting all the girlies then I got caught by security
I was flirting with girls when the security officer caught me.
He grabbed me up and said, 'Yo, I just kicked out your friend
The security officer grabbed me and told me that he had already kicked out my friend.
And I don't want to see you and him around here ever again trying out'
He warned me that he didn't want to see either of us in that club again.
One night we both decided that we would go together
One night, we decided to go together.
Totally Krossed Out, into more Krossed Out leather
We were both dressed in a Kross style, wearing leather.
Now I was lookin' fly from head to toe
I looked fashionable from top to bottom.
And all we both could think about was reaching the back door
We were determined to reach the back door.
We were lookin' diggy diggy doe ready to rock
We were looking sharp and ready to party.
But when got to the back door
But when we arrived at the back door,
Oh, the back door shouldn't have be locked
We were disappointed to find that the back door was locked.
Now Kris was getting mad, but I had other thoughts
Kris was starting to get angry, but I was thinking of other ways to get into the club.
Of ways of getting in,
I was thinking of ways to get inside.
When I was getting caught
But then I got caught.
Writer(s): David Lee Spradley, George S. Clinton, Jermaine Mauldin, Garry Marshall Shider, Jermaine Dupri
Contributed by Joseph V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.