Now You're One of Us: The Incredible Story of Redd Kross

by Jeffrey McDonald, Steven McDonald

Now You’re One of Us is the definitive statement about Redd Kross, an in-depth and riveting tale told in the voices of the talented and tempestuous brothers at the core of this iconic outfit.

Emerging from humble beginnings in suburban Los Angeles, the McDonalds took their rock ‘n’ roll fantasy and ran with it — and wound up becoming one of the most influential American bands of their time. The band’s flamboyant, genre-defying, joyously tuneful blend of musical, sartorial and pop cultural elements profoundly influenced the punk rock, glam metal and grunge movements and won them a worldwide cult of fervent admirers that includes bands like Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, L7 and The Bangles.

Redd Kross continue rocking to this day, much to the intense delight of fans old and new. And now the McDonalds team up with award-winning music journalist Dan Epstein to tell their wild, hilarious and gloriously star-spangled tale.

Genres: Music, Biography, Biography Memoir

304 pages, Hardcover

Published October 29, 2024

Reviews

[CHAD HADEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could have easily read another 300+ pages

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Omnibus Press and Edelweiss, for an advance ebook in exchange for a fair review.

Now You're One of Us is an oral history of the band Redd Kross told by brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald, as told to Dan Epstein. Throughout they are candid, clever, and insightful, sharing the story of band's decades-spanning career. There are some details of the music-biz that might be a little too insider for regular readers, but Steve himself put it best: "People who are not musicians might not be able to relate to certain specifics of our story, but I think most people can relate on some level to what we've gone through, because life is messy, and everybody has their similar trials, regardless of their medium or occupation." I don't know if there will be an audiobook, but I bet that would be a blast.

I can't pinpoint where I first heard about Redd Kross, but it was likely Sassy Magazine in the late 80s. Since then, they've always been "around", if that makes any sense. With the release of this book and the documentary, I hope that more people get to experience the joy that they've brought me.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly 5 stars if you've been listening to Redd Kross for 2/3 of your life (first saw them aged 14, seeing them next month still just about aged 41). Plenty of nerdy information about the records, the ins and outs of their existence, with some surprises along the way (Steven being kidnapped!). Glad to read that Phaseshifter was one of their more positive recording experiences - can hear it. Left me wanting to hear a Third Eye with more of the scraggly Phaseshifter sound. A band that always just missed getting big, but persevered through a love of playing and listening.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Podcast chat with The McDonald Brothers from Redd Kross

https://www.wddimpodcast.com/post/red...

[Bob Schnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the music of Redd Kross and I really enjoyed this unusual autobiography. Author Dan Epstein gives some exposition, when necessary, but otherwise just presents the story as told in interviews with Jeff and Steven McDonald, the two brothers who are the nucleus of the band. It is a companion piece to their documentary "Born Innocent" which I also highly recommend.

I was always mystified why Redd Kross aren't more well known and this book does a lot to explain it. They are always on the cusp of stardom when a bad decision or outside force intervenes to snatch away a golden opportunity. My only quibble is that I wanted more. Now I have to search out the songs that I never knew existed, in order to complete my collection.

[natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't fully remember my history with Redd Kross. I was crazy for Third Eye (and still am). I remember being absolutely blown away by their live shows. Gere Fennelly and Disco Bitch knocked me out. I was mesmerized. I'm giving this four stars because of my love for the McDonald brothers but I preferred the documentary. Jeff and Steven are charming and funny and real - it's just more striking when I hear them speak. This book is too bogged down in recording details for me. I did have fun picking out bands they mentioned and listening while I was reading.

[Alohatiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always knew who Redd Kross were, I had the first record but never got around to buying anymore of their records. Then I saw their documentary a few months ago, Born Innocent and realized I knew a bunch of their music and that they are just incredible! I've since turn the corner into super fan and have been making up for lost time by listening, watching, and reading everything about them. I thought the book was great, it goes deeper then the movie. I liked that it drilled down more on the records and their songs. They are such interesting people and really were at the start of LA punk but still put out great music. I even love their new double LP! I also liked the book because their individual perspectives on things really shine through. Now I am hoping they record it on audio book some day.

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent summary of not only a band and its members, but a time and a place. More accurately, several times and several places. After reading, the means by which those circumstances and incidents in those times and places came together to bring us Redd Kross are abundantly and entertainingly clear.

What is less clear is how Mr. Epstein could have the otherworldly patience to listen to story after story from the brothers about how much better a band they were than their contemporaries who sold more records and played to bigger audiences, and story after story about what a raw deal they had been given by the world, when in actuality they seemed to have quite a bit of good fortune.

[John Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely terrific history of the sexiest (and trashiest) rock 'n' roll band ever. Mixing straight narrative with extensive oral history from the McDonald brothers, this book traces their oddball odyssey from Hawthorne to Hollywood (the Strip, not the studios) with an appeal that should extend far beyond their 2500 fans. Hell, even deaf people should enjoy this one.

Added bonus: call this the Redd Kross red flag test: "Like he missed The Cramps at the Whisky--the original lineup with Bryan Gregory--because he was out in the car with her, talking her down." Never let anyone get between you and The Cramps!

[Mark Vornholt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The epic behind-the-scenes story of inarguably one of the best bands to ever come out of Los Angeles, directly from the Brothers McDonald themselves. It made me a bit nostalgic for my youth; running around LA seeing shows and generally not having a care in the world. It’s also a little sad to learn of all the things that ‘could’ve been’, it was never really clear to me why Redd Kross wasn’t huge on a Weezer level; now I have a better idea. Overall however, it’s a great story of perseverance, family and joy - the documentary film is a great partner to this book and the new double album rocks; seek them both out (as well as their backlog). I love this band, I hope they are around forever.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

We discovered Redd Kross via the film Spirit of 76 which became an instant classic. "These guys are better than Bill and Ted!"

There is not much we can add other than to say, reading this book was like like watching yourself, watching yourself through the looking glass. Only like a West Coast verion. After all, what is so strange about liking Black Flag AND the Partridge Family?

It truly is the year of Redd Kross with the album, the tour, the movie [Born Innocent], and now the book which fills in the gaps that the movie necessarily glossed over.

[Ruth Capoun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read if you are a fan of Redd Kross....or even if you aren't!
Jeff and Stephen begin with their very young love of music and when they started playing in their music. They really started young!!!
Onto when they started playing and hanging out with all the punk bands and the contacts they make on the way then on to mentioning the drug use and problems it caused.
There are a few things that are quite surprising in there but I won't mention to spoil it for you readers.
It really is a great read.
If you've ever seen them play live, you know how good they are.

[Gregory Kuchmek · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG what a fun book! It's just the two McDonald brothers hashing it out for the duration. Each perspective their own and slightly off, but very eloquent and clearly stated. Some wild stories that I hadn't heard before (no, I have yet a chance to see the new doc)! Plus, drugs! Insanity! RAWK!
Pull out your Redd Kross collection, drop your face into a bowl of Lucky Charms, turn on Spirit of 76 and fall into this book... It's REALLY that good.

[Brent Bonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic read. As someone who has followed Redd Kross since the beginning, I was amazed by how much new information I discovered. Much like the story of Thin Lizzy and their lack of success in America, Redd Kross band faced one setback after another on their path to success, with circumstances repeatedly getting in the way of their breakthrough. It also left me wondering where their parents were during those early, formative years!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun to go down memory lane with the McDonald brothers, but I didn’t love the book’s Q&A format. It felt more like a glorified magazine article. I have read plenty of books by rock journalists written in narrative form. That said, a must for any Redd Kross fan, and based on all the 5-star reviews, apparently I was the only one who felt this way.

[C.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing oral history that gives readers a "you were there looking at the rise, semi-fall and rebirth of one of indie rock's truly unique, colorful and influential bands. Neither a deep history nor an attempt to place the band in any type of critical or historical context. Simply a chronological telling of the McDonald brothers' career in their own unique voices.

[Jim Nowhere · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Redd Kross since the late 90’s, I got a lot out of this book, your milage may vary.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest rock n roll story ever told, except it isn’t long enough. There are totally more stories and more details! A sequel is warranted.

[Marti Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book about my favorite band! Can’t wait for the next one!

[Egghead · Rating 5 out of 5]

bell bottoms and hair
flying in the wind; i hope
they get big as kiss

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an excellent book and a great story about one of my all-time favorite bands. The ups and downs, and the reality of an industry that is relentless and unfair and cruel, but brings with it great art, deep connections, amazing stories, and if you stick around and have the talent and drive you can carve out something meaningful and beautiful and capture a fan base that will love you for it.

[Christopher Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.thepensivequill.com/2025/...