Redd Kross performing Born Innocent
(Smoke Seven 1982, Frontier 1986 reissue)

July 20th Los Angeles, The Greek Theatre

Originally issued in 1982 on Smoke Seven Records (under the band spelling Red Cross), Born Innocent was the debut full-length release from Redd Kross, a band of suburban L.A. youth fronted by brothers Jeff (guitar, vocals) and Steve McDonald (bass, vocals). Aged 18 and 14, respectively, the aspiring punks are aided and abetted here by rhythm guitarist Tracy Lee and drummers Janet Housden and John Stielow as they attack these 16 songs with all the patience of over- stimulated teens and all the subtlety of a slasher flick. The punk negation of titles like "Kill Someone You Hate," "Look up at the Bottom," and "Notes and Chords Mean Nothing to Me" couldn't be more appropriate descriptions for this music. "Solid Gold" is a slice of dislocated blues while "St. Lita Ford Blues" disintegrates from a stop-start punk party (complete with jubilant screams) to a raucous three-chord blur. Included for good measure are tributes to both actress Linda Blair ("Linda Blair") and serial killer Charles Manson ("Charlie" and a cover of Manson's own "Cease to Exist").This debut captures them in all their youthful glory; documenting the sound of the McDonalds and company unleashed on an unsuspecting set of guitars, bass, and drums.

*The record was reissued with new cover art and 3 bonus tracks in 1986 by Frontier records. In remains in print in this form.

Linda Blair
White Trash
Everyday There's Something New
Solid Gold
Burn-Out
Charlie
Tatum O'Tot and the Fried Vegetables*
St. Lita Ford Blues*
Self Respect
Pseudo-Intellectual
Kill Someone You Hate
Look On Up At The Bottom
Cellulite City
I'm Alright
Cease To Exist
Notes And Chords Mean Nothing To Me*