Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 … Read Full Bio ↴Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school. With the addition of friends Greg Hetson and Dave Keller on guitar and John Stielow on drums, the band's first gig was opening for Black Flag.

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.

Shonen Knife
Redd Kross Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Take us to that place
We don't want your jive, cracker
Take us to that place
'Cause we're looking for a master
I'm not talking 'bout no Jesus Christ
But I'm sure that he would like it here
Not everyone who comes here
Ask them to stay here

Yes there are some
That we ask to go away
But you are welcome as is Jesus Christ
And I'm sure that you will dig their scene, uh-huh

I must be where I must go
Take me down to Abba Road

Come right in now, enjoy a choco bar
With the Shonen Knife
Yes, the rock and roll stars
Then wash your face at the public bath
Just around the corner, down the bamboo path, uh-huh

I must be where I must go
Take me down to Abba Road

And tonight
I will love everyone tonight
Yes tonight
I will love everyone tonight

I must be where I must go
Take me down to Abba Road

Take me down to Abba Road

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Shonen Knife" by Redd Kross express the desire to escape from the oppressive mainstream culture and venture into an alternative realm represented by Abba Road, which can be a metaphor for a psychedelic paradise, a spiritual haven, or even an imaginary place. The repeated line "take us to that place" suggests a longing for a different reality where people can be themselves, connect with others, and find fulfillment. The mention of a "master" can be interpreted as a reference to a guru, a visionary artist, or any guiding force that can awaken the consciousness and enhance the experience of the place.

The lyricist disclaims any association with Jesus Christ, which can be seen as a rejection of conventional religious morality, but also as an acknowledgement that spirituality can take many forms and that the essence of Jesus' teachings can be found in unexpected places. The line "not everyone who comes here/ask them to stay here/yes there are some/that we ask to go away" implies a selective and exclusive nature of the community, which chooses its members based on shared values and vibes. However, the invitation "you are welcome as is Jesus Christ" suggests that inclusiveness and diversity are also valued in Abba Road.

The second verse describes some of the activities and pleasures available in Abba Road, such as eating chocolate bars, meeting Shonen Knife (a punk trio from Japan who inspired the name of the song), and taking a bath in a public facility. These details enhance the imagery of the utopian place, but also indicate that it has a tangible and sensual dimension. The repetition of the line "I must be where I must go/take me down to Abba Road" reinforces the urgency and conviction of the singer's quest, as well as the idea that the destination is as important as the journey.

Line by Line Meaning

Take us to that place
We want to go somewhere specific

We don't want your jive, cracker
Don't try to deceive us with insincere talk

Cause we're looking for a master
We want to find someone who can teach us

I'm not talking 'bout no Jesus Christ
I'm not referring to a religious figure

But I'm sure that he would like it here
I think even Jesus would enjoy this place

Not everyone who comes here
Some people don't stay

Ask them to stay here
We invite certain people to stay

Yes there are some
There are people who we don't want to stay

That we ask to go away
We politely ask them to leave

But you are welcome as is Jesus Christ
You are welcome here, just like Jesus would be

And I'm sure that you will dig their scene, uh-huh
I'm certain that you'll enjoy the environment here