As a longtime music enthusiast and Angeleno myself, I’ve had the pleasure of following Redd Kross since their early days. Born and raised in Hawthorne, California, Jeff and Steven McDonald started Redd Kross at their parents’ house when they were just 15 and 11 years old, respectively. Their unique sound and refusal to conform to popular trends set them apart from the get-go.
During last summer, Jeff and Steven McDonald, the co-founders of groundbreaking band Redd Kross, chose to attend a concert by their old friends Sparks at the Hollywood Bowl. The McDonald brothers, who had always been influenced by Ron and Russell Mael’s band, went with their friend and musical partner Josh Klinghoffer and Steven’s wife, Anna Waronker from That Dog. After the show, they gained a deeper admiration for Sparks’ musical achievements as a group.
Steven, who was a bassist for Sparks between 2004 and 2009, expressed his amazement by saying, “I couldn’t help but think, ‘Wow, they never seem to stop,'” upon reflecting on their unrelenting work ethic. Initially, he perceived them as somewhat eccentric. However, after observing them closely for all these years, he now recognizes that their dedication and shared vision are the driving forces behind their relentless pursuit.
In 2019, Redd Kross prepared to honor its past by launching a 40th anniversary celebration. This kicked off with the unveiling of their seventh studio album, titled “Beyond the Door,” and the reissuing of their debut EP on Merge Records. Additionally, previously unreleased demos were set to be made public, and plans for a victory tour were underway. The grand finale of this tour was scheduled to take place at the Regent Theater, where every musician who had ever played with Redd Kross was invited to participate in a special jam session.
When the pandemic arrived, McDonald’s found themselves in a difficult situation. However, they wouldn’t have preferred marking their 40th anniversary in such a manner anyway.
Jeff expressed casually, “I’ve often imagined that our anniversary would be more exciting around the 37th or 42nd mark. I mean, what does it truly signify?”
At Steven’s house in the Hollywood Hills, the brothers McDonald, who are known for their endearing charm and wit, gathered around a round table. They formed Redd Kross (originally named Red Cross) at their parents’ house in Hawthorne back in 1979 when Jeff was 15 and Steven was just 11 years old. The duo grew up with a deep appreciation for the melodic rock tunes of the ’60s, which continues to influence their music today. Their story is a fascinating journey through Los Angeles rock history. They spent time socializing at Rodney Bingenheimer’s English Disco, opened for the notorious South Bay troublemakers Black Flag at a house party, and performed their first “official” gig at the now-defunct Hong Kong Cafe. On that particular evening, none other than David Bowie was in attendance.
Although Jeff made a lighthearted comment, the brothers are making a grand celebration for Redd Kross’s 45th anniversary. As Steven explained, “People enjoy reaching milestones.” Additionally, a long-planned documentary about the band, titled “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” is under production. Directed by Andrew Reich, who previously oversaw “Friends,” this film will highlight the McDonalds’ artistic journey and how their punk rock origins evolved into quirky power pop music.
Instead of delving excessively or merely skimming the surface like other music documentaries, “Born Innocent” offers a well-balanced introduction to Redd Kross’s background. The band members express their disinterest in following trends and their preference for originality, as Jeff explains, “We get bored quickly. And we’ve always disliked conformity. Hardcore and hair metal had their defining styles, but we were part of the Paisley Underground scene – an oddity since we spent time with those musicians. However, we were the only ones who experimented with acid.”
In Reich’s opinion, Redd Kross existed as a self-sufficient musical entity. Even during their early punk/garage phase when their abilities didn’t match their aspirations, they possessed an uncanny talent for composing catchy hooks. The song “Kill Someone You Hate” is as rough around the edges as it gets, yet remarkably addictive. Their melodies are potent and edgy, yet brimming with delight. As they sing, Redd Kross radiates happiness instead of anger, making it impossible not to feel joyous when tuning in.
As the documentary progressed, Reich inquired if the brothers would compose a fresh track for its finale, showcasing the band’s beginnings from their unique perspectives. This new composition, titled “Born Innocent” (distinct from their 1982 debut album), coupled with the challenges posed by the pandemic, served as an inspiring catalyst for the McDonald brothers to swiftly surpass “Beyond the Door” and commence work on their eighth album.
Around two months following Redd Kross’s performance at the Bowl with Sparks, they found themselves in the recording studio under Klinghoffer’s direction (lightly referred to as their 75th drummer and producer).
I feel privileged when I’m given the chance to be part of a project like this. It was an ideal situation for me to express my creative vision, focusing on both the people involved in making the recording and the significance of the songs themselves.
I’ve been a big fan of Redd Kross for years, and their new self-titled double album is truly a testament to their enduring creativity and musical chemistry. Having followed their journey since the ’80s, I can attest to the fact that this latest offering marks yet another exciting turn in their storied career.
I went into the recording process with the belief that we had a solid selection of 14 songs for our album. However, we unfortunately missed the deadline to release it during the summer. We didn’t want to embark on a tour with an autumn album launch, so we made the decision to include more songs and strengthen our record instead.
At one stage of their collaboration, there was a debate about the wisdom of creating a double album. Nevertheless, they went ahead with the plan, trusting Klinghoffer’s judgment. As Steven put it, “We’ve never felt so at ease with a producer before.” Klinghoffer became like an older brother to them, keeping everyone focused during production. In their spare time, Steven unexpectedly found Jeff and Klinghoffer engrossed in a documentary about cults. According to Klinghoffer, “It was my way of bonding with Jeff.”
Instead of their past records, the brothers came prepared with finished song lyrics and a clear vision for the direction of each track, even if the demos were unpolished.
“The opening track and lead single off the ‘Candy Coloured Catastrophe’ album, which has a sun-kissed feel, traces back to an old demo penned by Jeff 15 years ago. Previously, the band had explored this concept but it didn’t quite fit their last two albums. However, this time around, the idea found its place in the final lineup.”
As I went through the unique experience of witnessing this exceptional chemistry unfold on set, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for being part of something so elusive and fortunate. I admit, I’m not holding my breath for a repeat occurrence.
Redd Kross is not only dropping a documentary and an album but also a collaborative book titled “Now You’re One of Us” with author Dan Epstein.
“Steven expressed surprise, stating, ‘We encountered numerous deadlines all at once, which is unusual for us with Redd Kross.'”
“That’s all Steve,” Jeff jokes.
Steve asserted, “The deadlines missed me instead of the other way around.” Or, “I found myself under immense pressure to meet the deadlines, but my commitment to the doctor’s appointment and the release of the record and book was unwavering.”
Reflecting on their 45-year music career, the McDonalds are distinctively emblematic of Los Angeles. As native Angelenos, they jokingly reminisce about growing up near LAX airport, inhaling its exhaust fumes. Their unconventional journey through the industry hasn’t perfectly mirrored how the city has evolved. Nevertheless, Redd Kross embodies the best of Los Angeles’s quirky influence on various music scenes. Surviving longer than most contemporaries, they see themselves starting a new chapter in their careers, which Steven refers to as their third act (borrowing an idea from Jane Fonda). The McDonalds believe their trajectory resembles that of the Mael brothers and Kim Gordon more closely than anyone else’s.
“For years, we’ve been focused on our music projects, with Redd Kross taking a back seat,” Jeff explains. “It was there, waiting for us. So when we felt the need to revive it, we did. It provides an opportunity for renewal and reinvention. And now, we can proudly label ourselves as a middle-aged band.”
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2024-07-18 21:04