Redd Kross Vintage Whisky Flyer Revives May 21 Concert
A 1970s punk poster resurfaces online, hinting at a secret line-up on the Sunset Strip stage!
Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.
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A rare piece of rock history has surfaced online this week: a vintage flyer promoting Redd Kross’s May 21 performance at the famed Whisky a Go Go. Shared on the band’s Instagram, the eye-catching design invites fans to “REVOLVE” on the Sunset Strip. But it’s the mention of a secret guest superstar that has piqued curiosity and sent music lovers digging through old archives.
Flashback To Whisky A Go Go
On Los Angeles’s Sunset Strip, Whisky a Go Go launched the careers of legends from The Doors and Led Zeppelin to Guns N’ Roses. In the late 1970s and early ’80s, it served as a crucible for emerging punk and glam acts. Redd Kross, formed by then-teenagers Jeff and Steven McDonald, was part of that scene. Their May 21 show—captured in this newly surfaced flyer—featured bold graphics and neon hues emblematic of the period. The Instagram caption reads, “Today’s vintage flyer wants us to hop on the nearest time machine: it’s May 21 and Redd Kross are ready to REVOLVE at the Whisky!” Now fans are eager to know who that mystery guest was.
Who Joined The Band On Stage?
The flyer’s postscript—“P.S.: anyone remembers who the secret guest superstar was?”—has stirred debate. Some point to early appearances by Joan Jett, given her ties to the Go-Go’s scene. Others argue for an uncredited Eddie Van Halen cameo, citing whisper networks among rock historians. Without an official confirmation from the band, speculation thrives on fan forums and social channels. Redd Kross has yet to tip their hand, keeping the enigma alive.
Redd Kross Through The Years
Born out of suburban Hawthorne, California, Redd Kross started as a hardcore punk act in 1978. Jeff McDonald’s gritty vocals and Steven McDonald’s melodic basslines set them apart. Their debut single “Annette’s Got the Hits” landed in 1979, paving the way for the 1982 album Born Innocent. Over the next four decades, they explored power pop on 1985’s Neurotica, psych-infused rock on 1990’s Third Eye, and garage grooves on 2015’s Researching the Blues. While they never scored a mainstream gold record, critics and peers praised their fearless genre blending and DIY ethos.
In recent years, Redd Kross lent their talents to community causes. Instagram posts reveal their contribution to Ty Segall’s L.A. RECOVERS compilation—a vinyl benefit for wildfire relief. On the album, they covered White Fence’s “Forever Chained,” highlighting their ongoing commitment to the SoCal music community.
Looking Back With ‘born Innocent’
For fans seeking a deeper dive, the documentary Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story offers an intimate chronicle. Directed by Andrew Reich, the film features extensive interviews with Jeff and Steven McDonald and drummer (and co-producer) Andrew Reich. It traces the brothers’ teenage zine submissions to late-night club sets. According to an official post, the feature “never had a hit or a gold record, and they are still one of the greatest success stories in rock ’n’ roll history.” The trailer debuted on Instagram this spring and is available to rent now.
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Earlier screenings at indie film festivals included Q&A sessions with the director and band members. That renewed interest in archival materials likely led to the resurfacing of the May 21 flyer. It’s a testament to the enduring appetite for behind-the-scenes glimpses at rock’s formative years.
Fan Engagement And Legacy
Redd Kross actively engages fans via social media polls and throwback posts. A recent Instagram story asked followers, “What’s your favorite Redd Kross song title?” Highlights included “Annie’s Gone,” “Ice Cream Nation,” and “Lady in the Front Row.” These interactive moments reinforce the band’s legacy and connect emerging audiences with their catalog.
Although the specific year of the Whisky a Go Go show isn’t spelled out, the flyer’s visual language transports you back to an era when punk shows were sweaty, electric affairs. Whether the secret guest was a superstar or a local hero remains up for debate. But one thing is clear: Redd Kross’s impact on the L.A. punk and alternative scene continues to resonate, and a single poster can spark fresh conversations about their storied past.
Redd Kross may have started in teenage bedrooms and dive bars, but their story—filled with color, noise, and unexpected guests—still commands attention. The band’s playful mystery invitation, decades-old now, reminds fans that part of the thrill lies in uncovering rock’s hidden moments.
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