Redd Kross
Redd Kross

Redd Kross (with Dale Crover) releasing 'Octavia,' headlining Atlanta Mess Around

The great Redd Kross are heading out on their longest tour in a while this year, and they’ve revealed some more exciting news since the initial tour announcement. Dale Crover (who Redd Kross’ Steven McDonald has played with in the Melvins for a couple years now) is officially drumming for the band now, and they’ve got a new record tentatively titled Octavia on the way. Their label Merge Records sent out a three-question Q&A with Steven McDonald revealing more details on the new album and tour. Check out what Steven had to say at the bottom of this post.

While they’re on the road, Redd Kross will headline the Atlanta Mess Around festival happening April 28 & 29. They play day two. The festival also includes The Gories, Timmy’s Organism, Terry & Louie, Reigning Sound/Oblivians’ Greg Cartwright + Gentlemen Jesse (who make their live debut as a duo at this fest), Night Birds, Uniform (not the NYC noise duo), and more. Full lineup and festival flyer below. Tickets (two-passes and single-day passes) are on sale. Set times HERE.

As mentioned, Redd Kross also have a NYC show on May 4 at Bowery Ballroom (tickets). No opener announced yet. All dates are listed below.

Dale Crover and Steven McDonald (and Buzz Osborne) are also releasing a new Melvins double album, A Walk With Love and Death, on July 7 via Ipecac. The album features Joey Santiago (Pixies), Teri Gender Bender (Le Butcherettes/Crystal Fairy) and Anna Waronker (That Dog). Tour dates TBA. Watch the trailer:

Atlanta Mess Around — 2017 Lineup
Redd Kross(CA)
The Gories(Detroit)
Timmy’s Organism
Terry & Louie
Greg Cartwright + Gentleman Jesse (debut show)
Night Birds (NJ)
GG KING (ATL)
The Cowboys(IN)
Poison Rites (CO)
HEAVY LIDS(NOLA)
Craig Brown Band
The Cheifs (LA/ATL)
Hyena (ATL)
Vincas (Athens/ATL)
Uniform (ATL)
Watcher (nashville)
RMBLR (ATL/BALTIMORE)
Death Stuff (ATL)
Unknown Sender (NYC)
Art School Jocks (ATL)
Glare (ATL)
Mutual Jerk (ATL)

Atlanta Mess Around

Redd Kross — 2017 Tour Dates
04/15/17 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge
04/17/17 Omaha, NE Slowdown
04/18/17 St. Paul, MN Amsterdam Bar and Hall
04/19/17 Milwaukee, WI Cactus Club
04/21/17 St. Louis, MO The Firebird
04/22/17 Memphis, TN Growler’s
04/23/17 Dallas, TX Club Dada
04/25/17 Austin, TX Barracuda
04/26/17 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall
04/27/17 New Orleans, LA Siberia
04/29/17 Atlanta, GA The EARL (Atlanta Mess Around)
05/01/17 Durham, NC The Pinhook
05/02/17 Washington, DC Black Cat
05/03/17 Philadelphia, PA Underground Arts
05/04/17 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
05/05/17 Montreal, QC Bar Le “Ritz” PDB
05/06/17 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace
05/08/17 Cleveland, OH The Grog Shop
05/09/17 Columbus, OH Ace of Cups
05/10/17 Detriot, MI El Cub
05/11/17 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
05/12/17 Louisville, KY Zanzabar
05/13/17 Nashville, TN Third Man Records Blue Room
05/16/17 Los Angeles, CA The Echo

Three questions with Steven McDonald of Redd Kross

What is up with Redd Kross in 2017, why tour now?

We are touring now because we found a rare moment where everyone is available and able. I am in two other touring bands: OFF! (with Keith Morris) and the Melvins, who I joined last year. Recording and touring with my other bands has taken up much of my time. I also produce bands in my home studio. I am deeply grateful to be able to say these are my “day” jobs.

Since the release of our much beloved Researching the Blues on Merge Records in 2012, Jeff has been keeping superfans satiated, digging deep into the archives and putting out three releases on our own mailorder-only label, Redd Kross Records. Among those is an extended version of our 1984 all-cover tunes concept record Teen Babes From Monsanto. We will be performing that whole record as part of our set on this tour. Dale Crover from the Melvins recently joined Redd Kross as our drummer, and we couldn’t be more excited about having him. Dale’s power and energy is like rocket fuel for the band, and I think his fans will be surprised and excited to hear him flexing his “groovy” chops.

This is a fairly ambitious 4-week tour. When was the last time you guys did this many dates in a row?

Many of the places on this tour we have not hit in 20 years. The band went on a 9-year hiatus starting in 1997. Since then, we’ve done a few runs of the west coast and one of the east coast, mostly in support of Researching the Blues. Once again, because of schedule conflicts, we were not able to go to many cities in the middle of the country, so we are very excited about hitting them this time out. The one place we have toured more than any other in the last decade is Spain. But as much as we love Europe, we’re looking forward to, as Dylan said, bringing it all back home.

What does the future hold for Redd Kross; with the addition of Dale Crover on drums could this signal a more active period ahead for the band?

Yes, definitely! We’ve already started work on a new record. It is tentatively titled Octavia. It will be our eighth record. Dale is a big inspiration. He is a real working musician that has never retooled or changed his course. His enthusiasm for the band has been a great catalyst already. Look out for much more activity from us in the future.