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.
Visionary
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone just exactly like you
I'm looking for a visionary
Someone just exactly like you
You killed the superstars
The superstars of punk
You fed the demons inside
Strung out on junk
I'm looking for a visionary
Because I guess I want somebody
We all need somebody
Looking for a visionary
And that savior is you
Is it nice to be the one with the eyes
And lead us all astray
Always proud keep our knees to the ground
I'll be your whore, I'll give you more
I'm looking for a visionary
Because I guess I want somebody
We all need somebody
Looking for a visionary
And that savior is you
The abyss is all it is
It's the smell of the trash
Turned to ash in a flash
Well it happened so fast
I'm looking for a visionary
Someone just exactly like you
I'm looking for a visionary
Someone just exactly like you
Because I guess I want somebody
We all need somebody
Looking for a visionary
And that savior is you
The Redd Kross's song Visionary is an homage to punk, its pioneers, and its legacy. The band is looking for a visionary, someone who can lead them through the abyss of despair and confusion that punk has left them in. This visionary is, of course, the listener, someone who can understand and relate to their plight. The song is a commentary on the state of punk in the 80s when it was losing its way and becoming more about drugs, sex, and violence than about rebellion and social change.
The lyrics "You killed the superstars of punk, fed the demons inside, strung out on lies, strung out on junk" are a reference to the death of Sid Vicious, who was the bassist for the Sex Pistols, one of the earliest punk bands. Sid Vicious died of a heroin overdose in 1979, and he has since become an iconic figure of punk, representing its self-destructive tendencies. The line "Is it nice to be the one with the eyes and lead us all astray" is a criticism of the punk leaders who have taken the movement in the wrong direction.
The song is also about the need for a savior, a guiding light, a visionary who can lead them out of the darkness. The lines "Ill be your whore, Ill give you more" is an acknowledgment of the power of the visionary, who can exploit their followers' desires for redemption and salvation. The song is a powerful reflection of the disillusionment and despair that many punk rockers felt at the time, and it remains a potent commentary on the human need for guidance and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking for a visionary
The singer is searching for a leader, a wise guide or an innovator.
Someone just exactly like you
The singer wants this visionary to be exactly like the person they are addressing.
You killed the superstars
The person being addressed figuratively brought an end to popular punk stars.
The superstars of punk
The punk rock stars who were extremely popular.
You fed the demons inside
The addressed person provided nourishment to the negative and destructive aspects within us.
Strung out on lies
People were addicted to falsehood, deceit and dishonesty.
Strung out on junk
People were heavily reliant on drugs or other harmful substances.
Because I guess I want somebody
The artist is unsure why they want a visionary, but the desire is present nonetheless.
We all need somebody
Humans have a basic need for companionship and guidance.
And that savior is you
The artist believes the person being addressed is capable of fulfilling the role of a savior or a visionary.
Is it nice to be the one with the eyes
The singer questions if it is pleasurable to be responsible for leading others.
And lead us all astray
This person can lead others off-course or in the wrong direction.
Always proud keep our knees to the ground
The singer confirms their willingness to submit to the leadership of the addressed person.
I'll be your whore, I'll give you more
The singer suggests they are willing to fulfill any need of the addressed person.
The abyss is all it is
The future may seem bleak or uncertain.
It's the smell of the trash
The stench of garbage is reminiscent of the waste and filth of life.
Turned to ash in a flash
Life can take a sudden turn and things can change drastically.
Well it happened so fast
These changes may occur in such a rapid and sudden manner that they may be difficult to cope with.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEFFREY A. MCDONALD, STEVEN SHANE MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David de la Fuente
Very underrated song. The entire album is great, but this is one of my faves, along with Dumb Angel, Jimmy's Fantasy and Saragon.
James Hale
One of my all time favorite records. They should have been huge.
coltsuperocean10
quality song, quality album, quality fookin band! ...so fucking good!
Noni D
Killer band. Why no comments? Will go down as the sons of Big Star
Jamie Curzon
I saw this band at a youth club in west Yorkshire UK when I was 13 1992 probably my 2nd gig
M Sund
i'll forever believe these guys ghost wrote some STP tracks for the album that came out after they toured together. i mean tell me Big Bang Baby isnt a RK song.
Ethereal Catholic
Underrated!!!
Mike Woods
Love this band along with the Church two most underrated 90's bands.
Ethereal Catholic2
Poison Idea are very underrated.
They did various styles and it always sounded genuine & from the gut.
Derpt Gerpkins
Mike Woods Dubrovnik judgeship obituary subunit shortsightedness