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.
Peach Kelli Pop
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's forget all, baby, that is dull now
Just let them teach you
If you don't know how
Peach Kelli Pop, yeah yeah yeah, that's rock-n-roll now
Everybody take a ride, yeah
In your mama's car
Let's go to the Troubador
Man, we're cruising Hollywood
Do you get the joke? (ha-hah-ha)
Laughing at all the assholes at the Rainbow
Flying so high on coke
What a joke .... wooh!
She's my Peach Kelli Pop
Baby baby baby please
Please don't stop
Peach Kelli Pop, yeah yeah yeah, that's rock-n-roll now
Let's forget all, baby, that is dull now
Just let them teach you
If you don't know how
Peach Kelli Pop, yeah yeah yeah, that's rock-n-roll now
Blonde Holland or depression cheese
What would you like to eat?
Move to Fresno, grow a mutant afro
This feels like love to me
Take a Q-Tip for a ride
In your limousine
Laughing at all the assholes at the Rainbow
Flying so high on coke
What a joke ... woow!
She's my Peach Kelli Pop
Baby baby baby please don't stop
One-Two-Three-Four
Peach Peach Peach Kelli Pop
Peach Peach Peach Kelli Pop
Peach Peach Peach Kelli Pop
Peach Kelli Pop!
In the song Peach Kelli Pop by Redd Kross, the lyrics describe the spirit of rock-n-roll and rebellion against societal norms. The repetition of the phrase "Peach Kelli Pop" acts as a representation of this spirit, and as something that is fun, carefree and cool - or at least what the artists thought was cool at the time. The lyrics invite the listener to forget about what's considered "dull" and be taught by the wave of rock-n-roll. In the first verse, the lyrics invite people to take a ride in their mama's car (because no one can afford his own car), pretend they're seeing stars at the Troubadour, and cruise in Hollywood. The artists find humor in the behavior of those who assume they are important at a popular Hollywood bar - the Rainbow - while ironically high on coke. The song continues with various invitations that are seemingly nonsensical, but allude to the carefree and rebellious nature of rock music. At the song's core is the celebration of living in the moment and being true to oneself.
The lyrics of Peach Kelli Pop, while seemingly detached and nonsensical, are representative of Redd Kross's playful approach towards life and music during the 1980s. The song captures the spirit of rock-n-roll by using nonsensical lyrics that represent being free from limits placed on you by society. The use of repetition in the lyrics of "Peach Kelli Pop" becomes an anthem for the uninhibited satisfaction and optimism associated with that spirit. The lyrics, as a whole, invite listeners to be taken back to a time of youthful abandon, fun, and joy - something that is needed more than ever in our modern-day society.
Line by Line Meaning
Peach Kelli Pop, yeah yeah yeah, that's rock-n-roll now
Let's embrace Peach Kelli Pop as the epitome of rock-n-roll music.
Let's forget all, baby, that is dull now
Let's ignore things that are uninteresting.
Just let them teach you
If you don't know how
Allow others to instruct you, especially if you lack knowledge on a subject.
Everybody take a ride, yeah
In your mama's car
Let's go to the Troubador
Pretend we're seeing stars
Let's all pile into someone's car and head to the Troubador, a nightclub in Los Angeles, and act like we're famous.
Man, we're cruising Hollywood
Do you get the joke? (ha-hah-ha)
Laughing at all the assholes at the Rainbow
Flying so high on coke
What a joke .... wooh!
We're driving through the Hollywood area while making fun of others and being high on cocaine.
She's my Peach Kelli Pop
Baby baby baby please
Please don't stop
Peach Kelli Pop represents someone's love interest who they hope won't leave them.
Blonde Holland or depression chees
What would you like to eat?
Move to Fresno, grow a mutant afro
This feels like love to me
Let's talk about some random topics such as food, hairstyles, and love, possibly with the intention of amusing ourselves.
Take a Q-Tip for a ride
In your limousine
Laughing at all the assholes at the Rainbow
Flying so high on coke
What a joke ... woow!
Let's take a Q-Tip brand cotton swab for a ride in our fancy limousine while laughing at others and being high on cocaine.
One-Two-Three-Four
Peach Peach Peach Kelli Pop
Peach Peach Peach Kelli Pop
Peach Peach Peach Kelli Pop
Peach Kelli Pop!
A simple yet catchy chorus repeating the name Peach Kelli Pop.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind