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.
Play My Song
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your open minds are really so closed
I know you're there; we'll find each other some day (maybe someday)
Now all I can do is just say ...
Always thought I just wanted to play my song (play my song)
But now I think it's time to at least get along
oh no...
Tell me why they don't understand
When you take a real chance (take a chance)
The answers might come if you learn how to dance
We need some massive excuse to come along (to come along)
Make them think we're cool and you'll find our song
Always thought I just wanted to play my song (Play my song)
But now I think it's time to at least get along
No metal sluts or punk rock ruts for me
oh no...
It's such a pain ...
It makes you insane ...
It's really hard; they give you a hard time
When people lie ...
We don't know what's right...
We are not stupid boys
But we want to do it wrong
The song "Play My Song" by Redd Kross speaks to the struggle of musicians/artists, who can't seem to get their work heard or appreciated by those around them. The lyrics express a sense of longing for an audience, as the singer implores the hypothetical listener to "play my tambourine and there you go," to open their mind and really hear what he is saying. He recognizes the closed-mindedness of those around him, stating that "your open minds are really so closed," but still holds out hope for a day when they will all somehow come together.
As the song progresses, the singer realizes that maybe it's not just about playing his own song, but rather finding a way to be accepted and understood by those he's trying to reach. He imagines "no metal sluts or punk rock ruts," expressing a desire to be seen as more than just a genre, but as an artist with something to say. The lyrics suggest that the key to finding a wider audience, is to somehow make them think they're cool, to give them a "massive excuse to come along."
Overall, "Play My Song" is a reflection on the frustration and struggle of being an artist, who often feels misunderstood and unrecognized. The singer acknowledges that it's hard to succeed in such an environment, but still holds out hope for a day when he'll "at least get along" with the world around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Play my tambourine and there you go (there you go)
Playing the tambourine signifies the beginning of a song, and once it starts, the music takes over and leads you on a journey.
Your open minds are really so closed
People who claim to have open minds often show their true colors when confronted by different genres of music.
I know you're there; we'll find each other some day (maybe someday)
The songwriter acknowledges that his ideal audience might not exist yet, but in time, they will be drawn to the music.
Now all I can do is just say ...
The songwriter is left with nothing else to do but express his frustration about being misunderstood.
Always thought I just wanted to play my song (play my song)
The songwriter believed that playing his music was enough, but he realizes that he also needs to connect with his audience.
But now I think it's time to at least get along
To succeed in the music industry, one must be willing to put aside their differences and find common ground with others.
No metal sluts or punk rock ruts for me
The songwriter is not interested in being pigeonholed into a specific genre or subculture.
Tell me why they don't understand
The songwriter is frustrated that people can't appreciate his music for what it is.
When you take a real chance (take a chance)
Trying something new and different is a risk, but one that can pay off in spades.
The answers might come if you learn how to dance
Learning to dance, which represents a willingness to let go and surrender to the music, can lead to a deeper understanding of it.
We need some massive excuse to come along (to come along)
Sometimes, it takes a special event or occurrence to draw people to new styles of music.
Make them think we're cool and you'll find our song
The songwriter knows that, unfortunately, sometimes it takes looking cool to attract an audience.
It's such a pain ...
Dealing with the frustrations of the music industry can be overwhelming and taxing.
It makes you insane ...
The songwriter acknowledges the mental toll that comes with trying to make it in the music industry.
It's really hard; they give you a hard time
The judgment and rejection that comes with trying to succeed in the music industry can be discouraging.
When people lie ...
The songwriter has encountered people who aren't honest about their intentions in the industry.
We don't know what's right...
The songwriter is unsure of the right way to navigate the complex landscape of the music industry.
We are not stupid boys
The songwriter is confident in his intelligence and ability to succeed.
But we want to do it wrong
The songwriter is willing to take risks and do things differently to stand out.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tuan Jim
Man, I fuckin love this album. Don't know why I waited so long to check this band out, but they're already one of my favorites. I love their blend of tacky pop-culture references, first-wave punk weirdness and classic, catchy-as-hell pop songwriting hooks, à la Bowie and The Beatles. This stuff is right up my alley.
Jerry Bennett
They're touring. Seeing them tonight in Philly. :D
Tuan Jim
@jennifer young Yeah, they're an LA band. I would love to have been in LA in the late '70s/early '80s. Sunshine, palm trees, smoggy polluted sunsets, just hanging around getting loaded, shooting the shit and listening to all the new sounds coming out at that time.
jennifer young
Tuan Jim I do to. Reminds me of being lost in 1971 with the Partridge Family. I think that's the idea.... 1980s. but campy "retro". They're from L.A., no....?
jim c
Fantastic album. Best from Redd Kross, I have the original LP but cannot find it in most digital music platforms.
Big fan from Spain.
cmac
This album I have on vinyl bought 30 years ago and it is a beauty, Love the punky, psychedelic, hippy angle.
Scott Davis
I found this record in the cutout bin, at local record store when I was younger. Anyway, I love this record!!
k.d. katz
A secret pleasure from the 80s. All my friends hated this band heheh
Shawnna Ball
Great underrated band!
Brett
I bought this album at Moby Disc in Huntington Beach in 87