Are you ready Jersey City? Redd Kross is coming to town and it is an evening not to be missed. Well, they came to town and Ghost Cult was there for the show.  

Formed in 1979 by brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald before they were even old enough to vote, Redd Kross is a Punk-based band that has withstood the test of time. Had they been from the East Coast they most likely would have been a mainstay at the famed CBGBs alongside Blondie and The Ramones with whom they share stylistic elements. That’s the kind of band we are dealing with here. Melodic and raw all at once and on this night, they came to play at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City. 

Located in an up-and-coming neighborhood, White Eagle Hall is much like many of the old dance halls found throughout the area. It lies a few minutes walk from the Grove Street Path Train Station and just off of Route 78, but parking in the area can be tricky. A cavernous box with a good-sized stage on the opposite end and bars on either side. A balcony with seats runs around the top of the room but it isn’t always open. In form,  White Eagle Hall is very similar to a lot of music venues but it is in the execution that they prove their mettle. Everything is pristine. The dance floor looks like it was just refinished recently. It is not stained or sticky with spilled beer. The bathrooms are similar in that there is not one sticker or bit of graffiti anywhere. Not a lightbulb out anywhere and a clear attention to detail. This is one of the best venues in North Jersey and it has easy public transportation access from Manhattan. 

Doors at seven and the show starts at eight. There is some concern since the next night Redd Kross is playing not far away on a Friday night. The thought is more people will choose that show and this one will be sparsely attended, but that proves to not be the case. People fill the room in time for the opener; the details of which are vague. On the ticket were the words “Dale Crover (DJ Set)”  Wait a minute, he is the drummer for Redd Kross. Promptly at eight, the lights go down and, sure enough, Dale walks out to his drum kit and starts playing music from what looks to be his phone.  An interesting collection of music plays over the PA and there seems to be a NY, NJ Theme. The New York Dolls, Blondie, Lou Reed, and The Young Rascals are all represented. Eventually, he switches gears and gets an acoustic guitar to present songs from his newest album. Just his guitar and vocals. This is what every guy playing covers at happy hour dreams of doing.  He has an audience listening to and appreciating his original music.  

Everything is set on stage and Redd Kross comes out. Everyone is dressed the same in all white wearing collarless button-down shirts. Paint of various shades is drizzled down each one. It looks like someone took a classic British quartet and hit them with a Jackson Pollock. Their sound has a decidedly British feel as well. Immediately, The Fratellis come to mind but Redd Kross predates them by several decades.  Who was influenced by whom? The music seems simple and stripped down but the use of two guitars and a bass gives a full sound. There is a rawness that is practiced and calculated like they got rid of what wasn’t needed and what was left was the song.

The show started with ”‘Switchblade Sister.” The song’s skipping beat set an energetic tone for the evening and the band did not let up at any point. Well into the set was a very melodic “Mess Around” and the regular set concluded with “Linda Blair” which ironically is the first song from their first album.   

A four-song encore finished with a cover of “Crazy Horses” by of all things, The Osmonds, and a cover of the Kiss song “Deuce.”

The tour will continue through the South and into California in mid August. Then it is over to the UK and some European dates as well in October and November. If you want a fun night of energy and music this is a don’t miss show.  

Redd Kross setlist:
Switchblade Sister
Stay Away From Downtown
Stunt Queen
Uglier
Huge Wonder
Annie’s Gone
Pretty Please Me (The Quick cover)
I’ll Take Your Word for It
Mess Around
Candy Coloured Catastrophe
Jimmy’s Fantasy
Lady In The Front Row
Neurotica
Peach Kelli Pop
Born Innocent
Linda Blair

Encore:
Annette’s Got the Hits
Standing In Front of Poseur
Crazy Horses (The Osmonds cover)
Deuce (Kiss Cover)

Buy Redd Kross music and merch here:
https://reddkross.bandcamp.com/album/redd-kross

WRITTEN BY MATTHEW KOCHEK
PHOTOS BY KIM HANSEN
Follow Kim’s work here:
https://www.instagram.com/pharmadiver/