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.
Where I Am Today
Redd Kross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel happy - that's where I am today
But when I get sad - I just want to go away
Well I get myself down - I go so low down
It hurts to feel that pain
And it won't happen -'cuz I just won't look that way
But if it starts to catch my eye
And why these things just have to be
And I won't look that way today
And I won't see those things today
I used to think that - everyone was the same
Walking around all the time - thinking all the same things
But I know it's not true, just look at you
I can tell your not that way
But I won't worry - like I said, I feel okay
But if I don't feel the same
If I start to go insane - I close my eyes and see
Only things I want to see
And I won't look that way today
I don't know why I feel this way
Just a feeling I have and I don't understand
It's just so hard to say
And this is where I am today
And this is where I am today
And this is where I am today
If I start to go insane - please close my eyes for me
Show me things I want to see
And I won't look that way today
And I won't see those things today
Just a feeling I have and I don't understand
It's just so hard to say
And this is where I am today
And this is where I am today
And this is where I am today
And this is where I am today
And this is where I am today
Just a feeling I have and I don't understand
It's just so hard to say -
'Cuz this is where -
This is where I am
Yeah yeah
And this is where, this is where I am today
The lyrics to Redd Kross's song Where I Am Today describe the emotional state of the singer. At the beginning of the song, the singer expresses feeling happy, but also acknowledges that sometimes they get sad and want to escape. They describe the experience of feeling low and the pain that comes with it, but also express a determination not to let it happen. The lyrics suggest that there are things in the world that can bring a person down, but the singer chooses to avoid looking at them, in order to maintain their current emotional state. The lyrics also touch on the idea that people are not all the same, and that the singer recognises this in those around them.
As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that there is something about the way the singer feels that they cannot fully explain or understand. They describe it as a "feeling I have" that is "just so hard to say". They express a fear of going insane and a desire to be shown "things I want to see" if that were to happen. Despite this fear, the singer concludes that they are in a good place emotionally, and that "this is where I am today".
The lyrics to Where I Am Today are relatively simple and direct, but convey a lot of emotion and introspection. They touch on themes of mental health, resilience, and the way that individual experiences shape our understanding of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel happy - that's where I am today
I am currently experiencing a positive emotional state and this is my current state of being.
But when I get sad - I just want to go away
During times of negative emotions, I feel the desire to remove myself from the situation.
Well, I get myself down - I go so low down
I can become overwhelmed with negative emotions and sink into a low state of mind.
It hurts to feel that pain
Enduring negative emotions can be physically and mentally painful.
And it won't happen -'cuz I just won't look that way
I am actively avoiding negative emotions by not dwelling on or focusing on negative circumstances.
But if it starts to catch my eye
If negative circumstances begin to catch my attention,
If I turn and wonder why these things just seem to be
And I begin to question why negative circumstances exist,
And why these things just have to be
And why these negative circumstances are seemingly necessary in life,
And I won't look that way today
However, for the time being, I am choosing not to focus on or explore these thoughts and feelings.
And I won't see those things today
I have decided not to allow negative circumstances to impact my current emotional state.
I used to think that - everyone was the same
I used to believe that all people were alike in their thoughts and behaviors.
Walking around all the time - thinking all the same things
I imagined people operating under the same worldview, with identical beliefs and thought patterns.
But I know it's not true, just look at you
I have come to realize that people are individuals with unique experiences and perspectives, and that you are an example of such an individual.
I can tell you're not that way
I can discern that you do not fit within the confinements of the worldview I used to believe everyone was subject to.
But I won't worry - like I said, I feel okay
Despite realizing not all people share the same worldview, I am not stressed, as currently, I am feeling alright.
But if I don't feel the same
However, if my current emotional state changes,
If I start to go insane - I close my eyes and see
And I find myself struggling mentally and emotionally, I will resort to using mental imagery to regain control.
Only things I want to see
I will attempt to conjure positive images to soothe myself and avoid negative circumstances.
I don't know why I feel this way
I cannot ascertain why I am currently feeling the way I am.
And this is where I am today
Despite my confusion, my current emotional state can be described as such.
If I start to go insane - please close my eyes for me
In the event that I cannot maintain control and regain a calm state of mind, I am requesting assistance.
Just a feeling I have and I don't understand
I am struggling to comprehend why I am currently experiencing these emotions.
It's just so hard to say
I am finding it difficult to articulate the specifics of my emotional state.
And this is where - this is where I am
To reiterate, I remain in the current emotional state I have described.
Yeah yeah
An interjection indicating affirmation and agreement with the previous statements.
And this is where, this is where I am today
A final repetition confirming that my current state of being remains the same as previously described.
Contributed by Landon A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.