Now You're One of Us - The Incredible Story of Redd Kross - Jeff and Steve McDonald with Dan Epstein

 

I've known and played with Redd Kross for, shit, almost a half century or so now (although haven't played together in decades and my bands were nowhere near cool enough to be mentioned in this book) and have always been a fan of their totally un-serious version of punk rock mixed with power pop, pop culture, bubblegum, glam, metal and whatever else crossed their demented little minds. We've been pals with Dan Epstein for quite a number of years (decades) as well, so the combination meant that we had to pick up this book as soon as we could!

Although they are both a couple of completely lovable goofs, the McDonald brothers are actually quite intelligent and well spoken and they have terrific taste in music. Considering that they are up to ten years younger than me, they were discovering the same hip music that I was at the same time that I was, despite being little kids. Although they grew up in Southern California, they were in a suburban town and far enough away from the happenings (since they were too young to drive) that they learned about bands from the same Circus/Creem/Rock Scene magazines that I did and only occasionally were able to convince their parents to drive them to a rock show - and eventually to punk rock gigs.

Being music fanatics, it was only a matter of time before they wanted to start their own band and even though Steve was only 11, he was incredibly talented and kinda pushed Jeff to learn guitar. When they met Greg Hetson, another guitarist, and found a fellow school-band member drummer, their dream became reality and they started playing shows as the Tourists.

There are lots of tales to be told and people come'n'go from the band at an alarming rate, but they become Redd Kross, manage to record Born Innocent and, after a few years and some various comp cuts, Teen Babes From Monsanto along with cuts for the Teenage Lovedolls movies, which they also appeared in. I saw a number of the various lineups, including the one with Tracy'n'Janet (first time I saw them, I believe), with Dez Cadena (covering Blue Cheer) and, among others, even at least one with a hair metal drummer that they had for a short time (I had forgotten about this drummer until the book reminded me)! Oh yeah, and the time they played the Country Club (a pretty big place) with Roy McDonald (no relation) on drums and surprised him by saying "drum solo!" and walking off stage!

Obviously, there's a lot I never knew about the guys, their career and their opinions of their records (apparently they don't care for the sound of Neurotica and Third Eye but dig Phaseshifter and I don't see a big difference and naively just assumed that the records sounded how they wanted them to sound). As with many of us, they were disappointed that they didn't get the chances that others did, but RK got a lot of chances that I wish that I had gotten, so there you go! 

Eventually, they get tired of the grind and take a multi-year break in which Jeff basically becomes a stay-at-home dad and Steve works on all kinds of projects, from producing various artists to playing with Sparks for five years! Again, I had absolutely no idea! He also ends up playing with Off! and the Melvins but the itch returns and they come back with Redd Kross for multiple new albums, tours (we saw them with the Melvins in 2019), reissued records and renewed respect.

After reading so many books on 70's rock stars who ruined their lives and became miserable as they got older, it's nice to see that the brothers are healthy, have strong romantic and familiar relationships and can still rock together! There's a new double album out and it doesn't look like these youngsters have any plans to stop any time soon. Long live Redd Kross!

I also gotta say that I can't imagine a better fit than Dan Epstein for this book - a talented writer and a fine musician who has had some terrific power-pop-influenced bands himself and who can appreciate the wacky pop culture references, as well.

Great job all around! Get it!