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Redd
Kross are one of those special bands that is impossible to pigeon
hole. Ever evolving and changing, their music has at one time
or another been described as punk rock, power pop, experimental,
glam, performance art, British invasion, kitsch, bubblegum,
and heavy metal; while it's been part of all of these, it's
also always been something highly original and ahead of it's
time. Brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald openly understand the
common threads of the Who, the Beatles, New York Dolls, Fleetwood
Mac, Elton John, KISS, the Runaways, 70's tv shows, the Cowsills,
the GoGos, T-Rex, X, the Stooges, David Bowie, the Bay City
Rollers, Laura Nyro, John Waters the list could go on for pages.
Where most people see differences, the McDonald Brothers find
commonalities and artistic piety in both high-brow and low-brow
pop culture.
To give the impression that Redd Kross is merely a montage of
their inspirations would be greatly misleading. In addition
to many brilliant cover songs and the occasional musical homage
to their heros, Redd Kross have always blazed a trail all their
own and give further inspiration to countless other musicians
and artists. Musicians as diverse as Spinal Tap, Nirvana, Stephen
Malkmus (Pavement), Stone Temple Pilots, Sonic Youth, and yes
even Joe Elliot of Def Leppard have gone on record for listing
Redd Kross as a band they admire.
In addition to being an amazing live and studio band, they have
appeared in many films, including the cult-favorites Desperate
Teenage Lovedolls, LoveDolls Superstar, Spirit of '76 (which
cast them along side David Cassidy, Olivia D'Abo and Leif Garret),
and several Allison Anders films.
Redd Kross took a much deserved break from 1997-2002, during
which they were still extremely active in their love of music,
film, and art. The 2002 release Ze Malibu Kids, "Sound
It Out" features Jeff and Steven along with Anna Waronker,
and Astrid (Jeff and Charlotte's daughter). Steven fronted his
own band, the Steven McDonald Group, and kept busy producing
artists such as Imperial Teen (along with his wife Anna Waronker)
and the Donnas ( 'Get SkinTight' with Jeff McDonald). Steven
has also been a special guest on stage and t.v. with artists
such as Beck (summer tour 2003), Tenacious D, Carole King and
daughter Louise Goffin, and Spinal Tap. Meanwhile, Jeff has
been working on producing music videos, and his own self-produced
web based sitcom "Bitchin' Ass". Jeff has not abandoned
music for film and has been working on a solo record and producing
artists such as the Beards. All of which is further evidence
that you never know where or what they will do next, except
that it will be done with passion and an artistic sense that
while often imitated, is rarely matched.
Now back in the studio, Redd Kross are working on a new release
for 2006, and we are looking forward to it as much as you are. |
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NEUROTICA
Five Foot Two Records
2002
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