Looking For A Visionary: Redd Kross on YouTube

5. “Yesterday Once More” promo video
How could anyone resist this? A sincere and heartfelt cover of The Carpenters hit, the lovely and talented Gere Fennelly on piano, Jeff’s Clem Burke haircut and incredible suit, and the whole affair topped off by one of those insane rain lamps as background décor. Director Frank Sacramento clearly stole his 360 degree camera-on-shag-carpet aesthetic from Pulp’s “Do You Remember The First Time?” video, which came out a few months previous.

Steve’s Lovedolls Superstar T-shirt is a nod to the band’s own past while the vintage convertible cruising motif is a nod to Jeff’s wife Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Go’s from their “Our Lips Are Sealed” video.

4. “Jimmy’s Fantasy” promo video
The first RK video I saw and still a favorite to this day. Featuring pre-Scientology Jason Lee! I’m embarrassed to admit how many times I watched this on my ancient VCR in the 90s. (And this is why I know about the fan-made Third Eye lunchbox that shows up in the background within the first fifteen seconds.)

Rocky Schenk’s video captures Redd Kross’s live energy, despite the lip-syncing. The colors and lighting in this are superb. The final shot, with the McDonald brothers’ hair-shaking, is perfection.

3. “Annie’s Gone” promo video
From the band’s Third Eye album, this video stars Ann Magnuson as the Annie in question, although in reality, the song is about Cherie Currie’s character from the 1980 movie Foxes. Here the McDonald brothers show off their impossibly shiny tresses and insane clothing collection (and the length of Jeff’s pants in the patchwork suit is a testament to his height, not his penchant for high waters).

2. “Don’t Worry Kyoko,” from Live Hate at Beatlefest
I first heard about this incident from the 45 single of the same name. As Dave Markey notes on YouTube:

John Lennon’s Plastic Ono band was fair game for covering at the annual Beatlefest convention in Los Angeles in 1987, however most in the 3000+ crowd did not seem to agree.

It’s a brilliant “fuck you” to humorless Beatles fans. Technically, this isn’t Redd Kross, but their alter ego Tater Totz, which included Jeff and Steve McDonald, Redd Kross drummer Vic Indrizzo, Jennifer Schwartz from The Lovedolls, White Flag’s Bill Bartell, and Kristy McNichol’s brother Jimmy.

The 45 contains commentary (recorded during and after the actual incident) on how the Totz were summarily dismissed from the proceedings and this video definitely explains why. Listen for the booing to start in earnest around the 4:58 mark as the band gets pelted with trash.

A live performance of the song by John and Yoko from 1969 can be found here.

1. Macaroni and Me, a short film directed by Dave Markey
Don’t even try to figure this one out. Just watch.

Honorable Mention: The Steven McDonald Group, “Motorboat”
Not Redd Kross, but Steve solo, covering Kim Fowley’s “Motorboat.” The dancing, bouncing around, and hilarious mugging are all addictive and I’ll bet you will watch this one over and over again.

(Did I mention what an amazing cover this is? Somewhere Kim Fowley may be preparing his blowtorch.)

Additional Resources:

Redd Kross will be playing Toronto’s NXNE 2008 Festival on June 14. For more information on upcoming shows, Redd Kross Reality Radio podcasts, video clips, and other goodies visit the Official Redd Kross website or the band’s MySpace page.

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