Super Bratz: Redd Kross
Posted by: steve | From: May 08, 2004
Two brothers, ages 11 and 15, from the same Los Angeles 'burb as The Beach Boys (Hawthorne) make a few visits to some of the Sunset Strips more legendary rock clubs (The Whiskey and The Roxy) in 1978. Jeff and Steve McDonald, of course, immediately decide to start a band. Two years later (1980) Red Cross releases a self titled EP that is filled with naive short blasts about celebrities ( "Annette's Got The Hits"), girls ("Clorox Girls), and school ("I Hate My School"). It's truly childish, amateur, and inspired. They become a staple of the truly awesome early 80's punk scene and one of the most influential bands for that region.
Threatened with lawsuit by the more famous Red Cross (you know, the international aid organization), the boys change their name to Redd Kross. Continuing with their brash and tacky brilliance they release a full length (Born Innocent), another EP (6 Teen Punk Anthems), and a bizarre cover album (Teen Babes from Monsanto).
The band switched gears in 1987, with the album Neurotica. The sound was decidely more accessible but also containing some of elements of their punk roots, and of some psychedelic garage music. Redd Kross seemed ready to go (somewhat) mainstream, but their label folded right after the album was released, and the album never broke through, but it laid the groundwork of inspiration for bands like Teenage Fanclub, and Nirvana.
Being caught in contract hassles with their former label they boys couldn't use the name Redd Kross, so they recorded a couple albums under the name The Tater Totz. Furthering Redd Kross' kitsch factor The Tator Totz featured The Partridge Family's Danny Bonaduce.
One they were allowed to be Redd Kross again they found a home on a major label and sorta switched gears again. Redd Kross in the 90s became a power pop juggernaut. From the jangly sugar goodness of Third Eye, to the raw driving alternative rock pop of Phaseshifter, and the Raspberries inspired pure power pop of Show World, Redd Kross made some of the best pop records of the 90s.
Now focusing on side projects and solo acts, Redd Kross is no longer a focus for the McDonald brothers. Redd Kross will also be remembered for it's ever changing pop music that was always interesting and most importantly, something that is often forgotten about in rock music, fun, and this is why Redd Kross is The Greatest Band Of All Time.
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