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.
The Faith Healer
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You out there in front of me
I think I feel your energy
And light it swallows everyone
I see your face
Can't you feel it now, the arbor tree
What we've made we soon will see
That make the morning sun
Give me everything you have that keeps you feeling sad
And I will give them back to you restore your soul from rags
I'm a faith healer baby can't you see it in my eyes
Come on give me your hand
I'll bring you happiness forever children, here's where it begins
I am the one for you
Listen now to what I say
Feel the need it goes away
Share yourself with me
And I will set you free
Did you feel that jolt shoot through your soul
No more broken hearts or empty holes
Hands that flow the light of love
Are worth their tolls
Give me everything you have that keeps you feeling sad
And I will give them back to you restore your soul from rags
I'm a faith healer baby can't you see it in my eyes
Come on give me your hand
I'll bring you happiness forever children, here's where it begins
I am the one for you
Lay my hand upon your brow
Happiness is our bond now
See the sun shine through the sky
Don't you worry baby we'll make it right
I'm a faith healer baby can't you see it in my eyes
Come on give me your hand
I'll bring you happiness forever children, here's where it begins
I am the one for you
I'm a faith healer baby can't you see it in my eyes
Come on give me your hand
I'll bring you happiness forever children, here's where it begins
I am the one - I am the one for you
The Faith Healer is a song by Redd Kross that explores the themes of hope, faith, and the comforting power of human connection. The lyrics address the listener directly, with the singer inviting them to share their energy and vulnerabilities. He offers to heal their soul and bring them everlasting happiness, all in exchange for their trust and devotion. The song builds to a climax as the singer describes the physical sensation of healing, of a jolt shooting through the soul and filling empty holes, all while hands flow with the light of love.
The chorus repeats a simple and effective message, "I'm a faith healer baby can't you see it in my eyes. Come on give me your hand, I'll bring you happiness forever children, here's where it begins. I am the one for you." The repetition of this refrain reinforces the singer's conviction and confidence in his ability to heal and guide. He is the one who can make things right and help his listeners find the happiness and freedom they seek.
Overall, The Faith Healer is a powerful and uplifting song about the power of human connection, faith, and hope. It speaks to the universal human desire for happiness and the need for someone to guide and support us on our journey.
Line by Line Meaning
You out there in front of me
Addressing the audience and acknowledging their presence.
I think I feel your energy
Sensing the audience's excitement and anticipation.
And light it swallows everyone
The stage lights engulfing the audience and creating a performance atmosphere.
I see your face
Acknowledging individual members of the audience.
Can't you feel it now, the arbor tree
Asking the audience to embrace the power of nature and positivity.
What we've made we soon will see
Promising a positive outcome for the performance.
Light it turns to sounds
Referring to the light show accompanying the music.
That make the morning sun
Creating an energizing and uplifting atmosphere.
Give me everything you have that keeps you feeling sad
Asking the audience to trust the performer and open up about their emotional struggles.
And I will give them back to you restore your soul from rags
Promising to use the power of music and performance to heal the audience's emotional wounds.
I'm a faith healer baby can't you see it in my eyes
Asserting the performer's role as a spiritual and emotional healer.
Come on give me your hand
Asking the audience to participate and trust the performer.
I'll bring you happiness forever children, here's where it begins
Promising a lasting emotional fulfillment and stating that the performance is where it starts.
I am the one for you
Reiterating the performer's role as a spiritual and emotional guide for the audience.
Listen now to what I say
Asking the audience to pay attention to the performer's message.
Feel the need it goes away
Promising that the power of music and performance can alleviate emotional distress.
Share yourself with me
Encouraging the audience to open up and be vulnerable.
And I will set you free
Promising emotional liberation through the performer's spiritual guidance.
Did you feel that jolt shoot through your soul
Asking the audience about the emotional impact of the music and performance.
No more broken hearts or empty holes
Promising emotional healing and the filling of emotional voids.
Hands that flow the light of love
Referring to the performer's hands and their ability to channel positive energy.
Are worth their tolls
Asserting the value of the performer's spiritual guidance and the effort it takes to provide it.
Lay my hand upon your brow
Physical manifestation of the performer's spiritual guidance.
Happiness is our bond now
Promising emotional connection and support between the performer and audience.
See the sun shine through the sky
Metaphor for emotional enlightenment and positivity.
Don't you worry baby we'll make it right
Assuring the audience that their emotional struggles will be overcome with the performer's guidance.
I am the one - I am the one for you
Reiterating the performer's role as a spiritual and emotional guide for the audience.
Contributed by Aaron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.