Looking For A Visionary: Redd Kross on YouTube

By Less Lee Moore

Although Redd Kross recently reformed with its finest line-up to date (Jeff McDonald, Steve McDonald, Roy “No Relation” McDonald, Robert Hecker) and although they have been playing shows all over the world for the past few years (UK, Spain, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago. . . to name a few) I’ve chosen to focus on ten older videos (plus one honorable mention).

Some of these are the videos that got me hooked on the band in the first place, so I’m hoping to induct new fans into their Popular Cult by sharing them with you here. Since I haven’t seen most of these since the pre-YouTube Stone Age, I’m thrilled that I am finally able to enjoy them once again.

Note: One may find all sorts of Redd Kross oddities on YouTube if one is so inclined.

10. The Muffs interview on KDOC’s Video Request show
Although the Muffs are the guests, Redd Kross shows up at the KDOC studio around four minutes into this clip, part two of two on YouTube. From the hairstyles of the band and the fact that Criss Crass is there as the Muffs’ drummer, I think this took place around 1990. A person who appears to be guitarist Eddie Kurdziel is introduced as “Flakey Jake.” What’s really hilarious about this video, though, is right towards the end, when Jeff McDonald starts gossiping about The Nymphs and Steve McDonald makes a not-so-subtle reference to the animosity between Nymphs singer Inger Lorre and Courtney Love.

9. “Ballad of a Lovedoll” on KDOC’s Video Request show
Cutoffs, teased hair a la Axl Rose. . . oh youth.

Redd Kross in Creem

8. “Neurotica,” live at Variety Arts Centre
This is a kick-ass, non-lip-synced performance from around 1987. Robert Hecker provides an eerily-accurate vocal facsimile of Kiss’s Paul Stanley, but my favorite part is the trademark choreographed McDonald thrashing around the two-minute mark.

7. Decoupage, Episode Two
During the height of their retro-kitsch, uber-long-hair phase, Redd Kross appeared on cable access TV show Decoupage (hosted by the stylish Summer Caprice) to discuss television and argue about which was a better show: Small Wonder, Punky Brewster, or Webster. Band friend and fan Ann Magnuson makes an entrance halfway through, looking fabulous.

6. Cover of “Kappa Ex” by Shonen Knife on Decoupage, Episode Two
Words don’t do justice to this delightfully loopy, over-the-top performance.

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