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.
So-Cal V8
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shut down the critics, I drive such a fast car
Justify and get left behind
First gear, second gear, third gear, it's alright
Pop song, pop song, you are not a wrong song
You give me the chills, and it feels just like
God, my friend, don't get left behind
I've got the power
Driving ninety miles an hour
Burning rubber
I leave the pigs in the dust
So, Cal V8, freaky white chick in a pink dashiki
So, Cal V8, Pammy's on a bummer
And not even peaking
So, Cal Southern Cal-I-forn-I-a
Cherry, cherry, so good it's scary
No go, no go, you drive a show boat
Not a fad or a blast from the past
It's alright
So, Cal V8, Bob is on the corner
Singing for some scratch
So, Cal V8, Chuck Kelley selling mama's stash
So Cal V8, just looking for some easy action
So Cal V8, just looking for some satisfaction
In the South Bay, in the South Bay
Yeah, in the South Bay
Lose your mind in the South Bay
The song So-Cal V8 by Redd Kross is a high-energy, fast-paced journey through the culture of Southern California, particularly the car and music scenes. The lyrics are a celebration of being a "rock star" and living life in the fast lane, defiantly shutting down critics and justifying living fast and hard. The repetition of the gears in the chorus points to the idea of acceleration, speed, and the thrill of the ride. The title of the song, So-Cal V8, refers to the powerful engine in muscle cars popular in California in the 1960s and 70s. The 'freaky white chick in a pink dashiki' is a nod to the hippie culture that also thrived in the area at the time. Overall, the song is a love letter to the coastal region and its upbeat and carefree way of life.
This song was included on the album "Born Innocent," which was the first Redd Kross album to be released after a nine-year hiatus. It was released by Merge Records in 2020. The band is known for their punk rock sound, which they combine with elements of power pop and psychedelic rock. The members of Redd Kross, brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald, were still teenagers when they formed the band in 1980. They have had a long and varied career with many lineup changes and collaborations with other musicians.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock star, rock star, I am such an art star
I am a famous musician who is also an artist and very talented.
Shut down the critics, I drive such a fast car
My fast car is so impressive that it silences any detracting voices.
Justify and get left behind
You will be left behind if you try to rationalize why you can't keep up with me.
First gear, second gear, third gear, it's alright
I am confident and comfortable driving at any speed.
Pop song, pop song, you are not a wrong song
My music is popular and universally enjoyed.
You give me the chills, and it feels just like
My music creates a thrilling sensation that is hard to describe, but it just feels right.
God, my friend, don't get left behind
Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience my music and be a part of something great.
I've got the power
I am in control and have a lot of influence and success.
Driving ninety miles an hour
I am going very fast, unafraid of any consequences.
Burning rubber
I am driving aggressively, pushing the limits of my car and my own abilities.
I leave the pigs in the dust
I am driving so fast that I am leaving behind any police cars trying to catch me.
So, Cal V8, freaky white chick in a pink dashiki
I am driving a powerful car in Southern California with a strange woman wearing a vibrant African garment.
So, Cal V8, Pammy's on a bummer
My car is in Southern California with Pam who is experiencing a drug-induced bad trip.
And not even peaking
Despite the drug experience, Pam is not even at her most intense point.
So, Cal Southern Cal-I-forn-I-a
Southern California is sometimes abbreviated as So-Cal, and it is a great place to drive a powerful car.
Cherry, cherry, so good it's scary
My car is bright red and looks and performs so well that it's almost intimidating.
No go, no go, you drive a show boat
Your car is too flashy and not functional, you won't be able to keep up with me.
Not a fad or a blast from the past
My car is timeless and not just a trendy or nostalgic item.
It's alright
I am not worried about anything or anyone, things are going well.
So, Cal V8, Bob is on the corner
I am driving my powerful car in Southern California with Bob who is hanging around on the street corner.
Singing for some scratch
Bob is singing for spare change and can't afford a car like mine.
Chuck Kelley selling mama's stash
Chuck is selling drugs hidden by his mother in Southern California.
So Cal V8, just looking for some easy action
I am driving a powerful car in Southern California with no particular goal in mind, just seeking excitement.
So Cal V8, just looking for some satisfaction
I am hoping my powerful car can give me the fulfillment I am seeking.
In the South Bay, in the South Bay
I am cruising through the area of Southern California called the South Bay.
Yeah, in the South Bay
I am really enjoying myself driving through Southern California.
Lose your mind in the South Bay
Driving a powerful car in Southern California can be so exhilarating it can drive you crazy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWARD J. KURDZIEL, JEFFREY A. MCDONALD, STEVEN SHANE MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind