After the 2024 release of their excellent biodoc, Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story, the brilliance of Jeff and Steve McDonald’s music is finally appreciated by fans beyond punk historians, pop culture junkies and their avid L.A. following.
Formed in Hawthorne, CA when the brothers were just kids in the late 70's, their journey has had its share of struggles and hiatuses, but they’ve not only persevered, they’ve grown into a new era as living legends who still put on one of the best live shows you can see anywhere.
On Wednesday, April 15, it was at The Lodge Room in Highland Park, and in terms of energy and epic setlist selections, it was the consummate hometown show.
An audacious opening set full of atomic energy and catchy tunes from Oakland’s Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends warmed up the stage at 8 p.m., and RK were punctually in place by 9 p.m., surely appreciated by the mostly elder rock crowd — this writer included— on a weeknight.
Opening with KISS’ “Deuce,” a cover off their Geza-X produced 1984 gem Teen Babes from Monsanto, the brothers, accompanied by longtime RK members Jason Shapiro and drummer Dale Crover, were feeling the local love as they moved and grooved in paint-splattered all white get-ups and tore into a retrospective set including "Peach Kelli Pop" off 1987's Neurotica, and "Stunt Queen" from their recent Red Album.
"I'll Blow You A Kiss in Wind," dedicated to "the witches in the house," as Steven introduced it, had the room singing along, most likely with images of Elizabeth Montgomery crooning the number in a black shag wig as groovy cousin Serena from TV show Bewitched.
There were more great covers to come too, including The Beatles "It Won't Be Long," and during the encore, "Pretty Please Me" by The Quick and "Crazy Horses" by The Osmonds. It seems this band can cover anything and make it their own, even as they stay faithful to melodies and moods of the original material.
Other fan favorites, including "Linda Blair" (with another little Beatles nod, "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," and "Annette's Got the Hits" sounded as enchanting as ever. Back in Redd Kross' heyday, these songs reflected the young pop-punker's ironic admiration for vintage TV culture, and it's a particularly sweet brand of nostalgia that still resonates, especially today in our world of streaming and cell phones.
Redd Kross have officially become as culturally significant as the figures they sang —and still sing— about. Four decades and counting, their dynamic live shows might conjure the past for a lot of us, but their talents are timeless.
Upcoming Shows:
Fri. May 15 — Valencia, Spain — Loco Club
Sat. May 16 — Granada, Spain — Degusta FestSun
Sun. May 17 — Palma De Mallorca, Spain — The Most Beautiful Day
Wed. May 20 — Barcelona, Spain — Sala Upload
Thu. May 21 — Zaragoza, Spain — Rock & Blues
Fri. May 22 — San Sebastián, Spain — Dabadaba
Sat. May 23 — Madrid, Spain — Sala Copérnico
Wed. June 24 — Buenos Aires, Argentina — Uniclub
Fri. June 26 — Sao Paulo, Brazil — Cine Joia
