Biography

Redd Kross is an American rock band known for its infectious blend of punk, power pop, and glam rock. Formed in 1978 in Hawthorne, California, by brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald, the band initially went by the name Red Cross, a nod to the symbol often seen on medical supplies. Early on, they became a fixture in the Los Angeles punk scene, playing shows alongside influential bands like Black Flag and the Germs. By the early ’80s, they shifted to the name Redd Kross to avoid legal troubles with the American Red Cross and released their debut EP, Red Cross (1980), which showcased their playful, irreverent style and teenage energy.