Do me a favor and name a band that has been good, for about 40 f’n years? Seems bloody unlikely, but Redd Kross are that band, and their 2024 album, simply and aptly titled “Redd Kross”, might just be the best thing they’ve ever done. Jeff and Steve McDonald (singer/guitarist and bassist/singer, respectively) helped put SoCal punk on the map in the late 1970’s as teenage miscreants. Need proof of their OG status? Redd Kross’s very first gig was opening for Black Flag. But what made Redd Kross so beloved—and so distinctive—was and still remains their eternally youthful, rainbow-streaked, Beatlesesque, Cheap Trick-influenced, 60’s-and-70’s-pop-culture-obsessed power-pop nuggets.
From their groovy 1987 touchstone “Neurotica” to their underappreciated 90’s-era output, then up through their 2012 comeback “Researching the Blues”, Redd Kross have trudged on—shredding through their debaucherous and glammed-out “bubble-grunge” without losing a bit of the fresh-faced euphoria they’re known for. While 2019’s “Beyond The Door” extended the hot streak started on “Researching the Blues”, the 18-song epic “Redd Kross” is on a whole other level of Technicolor goodness. The McDonalds—along with producer/multi-instrumentalist Josh Klinghoffer (the ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and current Pearl Jam touring member) and guitarist Jason Shapiro—blow through one should-be hit after another in seemingly the blink of an eye. “Redd Kross” might be sprawling, but you won’t find even a flash of filler. Instead, it’s loaded with massive hooks, tingly-all-over melodies, singalong choruses, and sha-la-la harmonies.
The new album has all the wham-bam glam-meets-glitter punk thing they’ve always been aces at, then adds some well-earned nostalgia, some trenchant thoughts about modern life, plenty of rollicking humour, plus blazing anger too. The brothers McDonald came out of the pandemic ready to tear things up, and the release of “Redd Kross” is a bracing reminder that they are probably, most likely, definitely the best rock & roll band still daring to call themselves that.
Redd Kross “Redd Kross” (In The Red, 2024) The 9th studio album from this legendary California band lays down the power pop with a capital “P”! They have been making albums for 40+ years and sound like they’re still peaking.
Eighteen songs rip and rock through earworm melodies with overblown guitars in an irresistible blast of garage/punk energy. The McDonald brothers’ vocal harmonies feed off a reverence for the 60s and the pure exuberance of performing, while their guitars color the sound with feedback squalls and irresistible pop/punk chords. Bass and drums drive the rhythm with style and vigor. The songs call to every sense of rock ‘n’ roll immersion. Opener “Candy Coloured Catastrophe” sets the standard for this rollicking hour-long explosion of kick-ass melodic bliss. The following track, “Stunt Queen” rips into a punkier noise flair that shakes the speakers. This pattern of energy-driven songcraft permeates the album with one catchy tune after another. “Redd Kross” shimmers with the band’s trademark mix of hum-along hooks and high-spirited garage energy.
It’s a triumphant blast of electrified power pop that will charge your inputs with a revitalizing bolt of vibrant pop/rock musicianship. Like the wild-ass side of The Beatles, Guided By Voices, Sloan, The Nerves, The Wildhearts, Cheap Trick, Ash, Elf Power, Fountains Of Wayne, The Barraracudas, The Exploding Hearts, Joy Cleaner, The Rezillos, Painted Doll, The Boo Radleys.
Redd Kross have devoted their career to making subversive entertainment in a high pop celebrity style, reintroducing forbidden classic-rock tropes as melodies, harmonies, ripping musicianship, & primary colours-stuff that had (largely) been ditched in the underground rock’s post-punk, No Wave, hardcore, & sensitive-egghead scenes
To say we are excited about this release would be a gross understatement. We are over the moon to announce that we’re releasing the new album by one of our all-time favourite bands – REDD KROSS. This self-titled double LP (with artwork that pays tribute to another self titled LP) is the band’s ninth studio full length and it’s a monster! Eighteen brand new original songs that show that the McDonald brothers are at the peak of their powers. Vinyl comes in a gatefold sleeve with limited edition red vinyl. The band will be doing a full US tour this summer, a memoir about them will be hitting book stores soon and an amazing documentary titled Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story is hitting theaters – 2024 is the year of Redd Kross!
releases June 28th, 2024
The Fat Angel Sings 