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.
Puss 'n' Boots
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nae maeum da humchyeogal geon gatjiman
Jo a geudaeman heorakalgeyo
1, 2, 3 Get Ready
Daeche mworeul meokgo
Ireoke yeppeo Beautiful Girl
Seuchineun namjadeulmada
Geunyang motjinaga nundoraga
I will get you maldo mon georeodo
Byeolgeo anin jangnane
Imi nan banjjeum neomeo ganneyo
Oneulttara ireoke tteollineunji(neunji)
Ooh ooh ooh
Janghwasineun goyangi gateun nunbit
Nae maeum da humchyeogal geon gatjiman
Jo a geudaeman heorakalgeyo
Only you ooh ooh
Geudaega yuilhajyo maldo motaeyo
Only you ooh ooh ooh
I like feeling like...
Feeling like this.
Oneureun neohante sunsuhancheong neomeogalkke (Yeah)
Sumgyeowatdeon maeum ijeneun mon hageseunikka pyohyeonhalge
Neo nunbichi yeppeugo gwiyeowo soljiki
Nan imi hollinjin jom oraedwaeseo yejeonbuteo
Cheonsagateun misoe imi meoritsogen neo ppunijyo
Oneulttara ireoke yeppeungeonji(geonji)
Ooh ooh ooh
Janghwasineun goyangi gateun nunbit
Nae maeum da humchyeogal geon gatjiman
Jo a geudaeman heorakalgeyo
Only you ooh ooh
Geudaega yuilhajyo maldo motaeyo
Only you ooh ooh ooh
I like feeling like...
Feeling like this
Na saenggakboda mani sunjinhae geuraeseo buranhae
Neoege modeungeol ssoda butgetji amado deo
Galdega eopseul ttaekkaji gagetji nan miryeonttawin an kiwoseo
Only you ooh ooh
(YOU YOU JUST ONLY YOU)
Geudaega yuilhajyo maldo motaeyo
Only you ooh ooh ooh
(YOU YOU JUST ONLY YOU)
I like feeling like...
Feeling like this
The lyrics to Redd Kross's song "Puss 'n' Boots" describe the singer's strong attraction to one specific person. The opening lines compare the person's gaze to that of a cat, and the rest of the song discusses the singer's desire to win their affection. The singer sings about their willingness to do things that might be embarrassing or uncomfortable in order to win the person over, such as using cloying baby talk or acting overly flirty. Despite this, the singer makes it clear that they believe the object of their affection is worth the effort.
The lyrics in "Puss 'n' Boots" are fairly straightforward, describing a common experience of attraction and infatuation. The use of animal imagery in the opening lines helps to create a sense of playfulness and whimsy, which continues throughout the song as the singer describes their efforts to win the person's heart. Overall, the song is an upbeat and fun celebration of desire and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Janghwasineun goyangi gateun nunbit
Your eyes sparkle like the stars
Nae maeum da humchyeogal geon gatjiman
My heart is racing
Jo a geudaeman heorakalgeyo
I only have eyes for you
1, 2, 3 Get Ready
Let's get ready
Daeche mworeul meokgo
What should I eat?
Ireoke yeppeo Beautiful Girl
You're so beautiful, beautiful girl
Seuchineun namjadeulmada
All the men around me
Geunyang motjinaga nundoraga
Are staring and can't take their eyes off of you
Pyeongbeomhan maltu soge neomchyeoheulleo aegyo
I'm adding cuteness in my simple words
I will get you maldo mon georeodo
I will do whatever it takes to get you
Byeolgeo anin jangnane
I'm not joking around
Imi nan banjjeum neomeo ganneyo
I've already fallen for you
Oneulttara ireoke tteollineunji(neunji)
Today, I'm feeling like this
Ooh ooh ooh
Vocalization
Only you ooh ooh
It's only you
Geudaega yuilhajyo maldo motaeyo
I can't have you, but it's still only you
I like feeling like...
I like this feeling
Oneureun neohante sunsuhancheong neomeogalkke (Yeah)
Today, I'll confess my sincere feelings to you
Sumgyeowatdeon maeum ijeneun mon hageseunikka pyohyeonhalge
I'll express the feelings that I've hidden for so long
Neo nunbichi yeppeugo gwiyeowo soljiki
Your eyes are so beautiful and honest
Nan imi hollinjin jom oraedwaeseo yejeonbuteo
I'm a bit nervous since the beginning
Cheonsagateun misoe imi meoritsogen neo ppunijyo
In this vast world, you're the only one who has captured my heart
Oneulttara ireoke yeppeungeonji(geonji)
Today, you're looking so beautiful
Na saenggakboda mani sunjinhae geuraeseo buranhae
You mean more to me than any thoughts or worries
Neoege modeungeol ssoda butgetji amado deo
I'll give you everything I have, even though it's not enough
Galdega eopseul ttaekkaji gagetji nan miryeonttawin an kiwoseo
I'll keep going until I can't breathe, without regret
YOU YOU JUST ONLY YOU
It's only you
Contributed by Sarah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.