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.
St Lita Ford Blues
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the evening sun go down
I hate to see
the evening sun go down
because me and my baby
are gonna leave this town
went to the gypsy to have my
fortune told
fortune told
calloused fingertips
hair spun of gold
I say this tramps got a hold
this tramps got a hold on me
her St. Lita blues
her blues got a hold of me
pack up your bags
cause were heading
for something obscene
I wish I could play like
just like Lita Ford
I wish I could play like
just like Lita Ford
she is a fox
she's not in the Runaways anymore
She was once going
with Ritchie Blackmore
Lta was going
with Ritchie Blackmore
but now she manages her locks
with quality shampoo
I say this tramps got a hold
this tramps got a hold on me
her St. Lita blues
her blues got a hold of me
pack up your bags
cause were heading
for something obcsene
The lyrics to "St Lita Ford Blues" by Redd Kross tell the story of a man who is torn between leaving his town with his lover and his fascination for the musician Lita Ford. The first stanza sets the scene as the man expresses his dislike for the evening setting, as he must leave his town with his lover. The second stanza describes how he visited a gypsy to find out his fortune, and the gypsy's calloused fingertips and hair spun of gold are mentioned.
The third stanza is where the subject of Lita Ford is introduced. The man is fixated on her talent for playing the guitar and wishes he could play like her. He then mentions that she was formerly a member of the band The Runaways and was once dating Ritchie Blackmore. The final stanza repeats the theme of the tramp having a hold on the man, and he must pack his bags and leave for something obscene.
The lyrics can be interpreted as exploring the tension between staying in a relationship and having outside interests. The man is dedicated to his lover, but his admiration for Lita Ford creates a conflict. The mention of the gypsy's calloused fingertips also adds a layer of superstition and mystical elements to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate to see
the evening sun go down
I am saddened by the departure of the sun as it signifies the end of the day
because me and my baby
are gonna leave this town
My partner and I plan on departing from our current location for reasons unknown
went to the gypsy to have my
fortune told
I consulted with a fortune teller to receive insight on my future
calloused fingertips
hair spun of gold
The fortune teller had calloused fingers and golden hair
I say this tramps got a hold
this tramps got a hold on me
her St. Lita blues
her blues got a hold of me
pack up your bags
cause were heading
for something obscene
I feel trapped and controlled by a woman, who possesses traits of the St. Lita Ford archetype of a strong, independent woman. We plan on leaving for something suggestive or scandalous
I wish I could play like
just like Lita Ford
I wish to possess musical talent similar to Lita Ford
she is a fox
she's not in the Runaways anymore
Lita Ford is attractive and is no longer associated with the musical act, The Runaways
She was once going
with Ritchie Blackmore
Lita Ford was previously romantically involved with musician Ritchie Blackmore
but now she manages her locks
with quality shampoo
Lita Ford cares for her hair by using high-quality shampoo
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JEFFREY MCDONALD, STEVEN MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind