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.

Listening to an anthology is perhaps the best way to understand the Redd Kross experience, each incarnation and release from the McDonald Brothers is one for the sake of creating art. The reputation the band earned for it's hundreds of live performances was that of leaving minds blown and jaws dropped around the globe. The stylistic range from the New York Dolls/Johnny Thunders inspired trashy punk of Born Innocent (1980), to the graceful elegance of the single for 'My Secret Life' (1997), is proof enough that to comprehend the total and true genius of Redd Kross requires following their explorations along with them.

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 including Gas, Food, and Lodging; Grace of My Heart, and SugarTown,

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 2004, and we are looking forward to it as much as you are.

2003 Jonathan Krop