Dear Friends,
Rock and roll on a school night is not a bad thing when the show is at the Valley Bar. That place knows how to do the rock. Early and fun and with great sound.
Redd Kross makes my heart happy. The crowd also made my heart happy. So many good friends were there and people I don’t get to see very often. My hat is off to the brothers McDonald. They truly brought the rock and roll party to town.
*****
The plan for today is to get the ducks in a row for the week. I thought of something last week towards the end of Thursday or Friday and that is this: I only have these students for, in reality, such a short time. If I have learned anything over the last three years of being a teacher with my own classroom. It’s that you only have so much time to win their attention and it’s a lot easier to do that in the beginning.
This week I need to really get a few of the students going who are the types who would be on the fence if I allowed them to be. These kids will need a little extra from me this year and if I can get them to believe in themselves and our process this week or month, it will be so much better for them in the long run.
It breaks my heart to see kids who aren’t even ten yet who don’t believe in themselves. We have enough time to doubt ourselves as adults. I have a mission to nip that shit in the bud.
*****
It’s a Redd Kross kind of week, I suppose. In 1989, I met a girl who had some pretty excellent taste in music. She shared a lot of cool stuff with me and one of those records was Neurotica by Redd Kross.
I was familiar with the punkier stuff that Redd Kross had done and considered myself a fan, but there was something about Neurotica that just latched onto me and has never let go. It’s catchy and rockin’ and clever, you know? Neurotica was the first record of theirs, in my opinion, that really showed their true potential. This was a more mature band doing more mature band things.
The first few times I saw them, it seemed like the bulk of their set lists were from Neurotica. This might be why I gravitate towards this one a bit more, who knows, but as I mentioned, this record has its hooks in me. I love every song on it.
Some more than others, of course, but I would never skip anything on this record. “Neurotica” kicks things off in festive, power-pop/psychedelic garage fashion. Roy McDonald (no relation) plays the drums on this record and he’s a big part of why it is so good. His drums on the opening/title track are just perfect.
Jeff McDonald’s lyrics on this one, as well, are as good as anything they have ever done. When “Play My Song” kicks in, you just sort of feel like Jeff and Steven are asking you to come over and hangout with them. They are huge music fans and you can hear it in the lyrics of “Play My Song.”
“Always thought I just wanted to play my song/but now I think it’s time to at least get along/no metal sluts or punk rock ruts for me, oh no.”
There is also a sitar sound on “Play My Song” that gives a major hint at the band’s love for 60s power pop. Back then, it made me think of the movie, The Party, with Peter Sellers and later on, Redd Kross would cover the theme from that movie.
“Frosted Flake” and “Janus, Jeanie, and George Harrison” are cut from the same cloth. High octane power pop. The former is one that Steven got a songwriting credit on, as well. Steven’s bass lines are so damn good that, in my opinion he should always get a songwriting credit, but what do I know? All us bass players gotta stick together.
“Love Is You” is a Robert Hecker song. Hecker played guitar with the band on this record (and a few others). Kind of like “Perfect Day,” by Lou Reed, “Love Is You” is just an utterly romantic song. “La la la…”
“Peach Kelli Pop” harkens back to the earlier days of Redd Kross. It’s snappy and delicious. “McKenzie” slows things down a bit and dips a little into RK’s love of KISS with some big guitars towards the middle. I hate KISS, but when Redd Kross gives them a nod, I can forgive them for it.
‘Tatum O’Tot and the Fried Vegetables” is another nod to the punk roots. It’s over before you know it and you’re off to “Ballad of a Love Doll.” If there was one song on Neurotica that I’m not a huge fan of, it is this one. There just isn’t a ton to sink your teeth into, although I know it is from the film, Desperate Teenage Lovedolls.
“What They Say” is one of my favorite Steven McDonald bass lines and it’s another Robert Hecker song. I’ve seen the band do this one live a few times and it always makes me smile. Hopefully I will get to see it again one day.
“Ghandi Is Dead (I’m the Cartoon Man)” is a bit reminiscent of a Butthole Surfers song when the opening riff comes in and then quickly diverts back to Redd Kross land. “Beautiful Bye Byes” closes out the first version of the record I ever bought. It’s definitely a closing song and even though it is brief, it is still quite lovely.
As I reflect on this one, I have to go back to seeing these guys in the early 90s a few times and just being engrossed by how they went about themselves. They seemed to be the coolest guys ever and I have to believe they just might be exactly who they seem to be. Exquisite music, exquisite musical taste, and just cool as hell.
This record is just so damn good. Redd Kross was coming into their own here and made something that scaled heights it took them years to get back to, in my opinion. Neurotica will always be a favorite of mine.
Viva la Redd Kross!
*****
See you tomorrow.
PS. Redd Kross played both “Neurotica” and “Peach Kelli Pop” last night.
"Peach Kelli Pop" by AI.
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