Apr 21, 2025
TV writer & Record Collector Andrew Reich discusses his decade-long journey creating a documentary about Los Angeles music legends Redd Kross and the McDonald brothers' musical partnership.
Topics Include:
- How Andrew made the leap from TV writing to filmmaking.
- Wife's suggestion sparked the documentary idea.
- Heard Steve McDonald's abduction story on a podcast.
- TV writing different from documentary making - can't control narrative.
- Documentary structure doesn't follow traditional storytelling beats.
- Director learned new storytelling techniques through editing.
- Documentary required extensive collaboration with editor Aaron Elders.
- Filming spanned approximately 10 years (2015-2025).
- Jeff McDonald's hairstyle changed dramatically throughout filming.
- Andrew discovered Redd Kross through "Teen Babes from Monsanto" album.
- Became fan at 13, requesting records for radio station.
- Redd Kross connects diverse bands from Black Flag to Go-Go's.
- Director considers Redd Kross one of Los Angeles' greatest bands.
- Documentary coincided with band's current renaissance and revival.
- Making the movie spurred new Redd Kross creative activity.
- Band created "Born Innocent" song specifically for the film.
- Initial filming was sporadic until Kickstarter provided funding.
- Created oral history structure from interview transcripts.
- Collected extensive archival material throughout production process.
- Film deliberately kept under 90 minutes for accessibility.
- Cut "Desperate Teenage Love Dolls" section despite importance.
- Film focuses on brothers' relationship rather than complete history.
- Steve's abduction possibly influenced band's fantasy/dress-up aesthetic.
- Andrew admires documentaries like "Anvil" and "Dig."
- Avoids rock critics in documentaries, preferring eyewitness accounts.
- Parents' interview about abduction was emotionally challenging.
- Wishes he had footage of certain legendary shows.
- New photographs emerged after film completion for eventual Blu-ray.
- Describes record collecting journey starting in New Jersey.
- Now focuses on first pressings of albums he loves.
- Sold unnecessary records to fund first pressing purchases.
- Australian bands currently producing best new punk music.
- Prefers seeing smaller shows over expensive arena concerts.
- Purchased rare Redd Kross/White Flag split single.
- Film rentals now available worldwide at reddkrossfilm.com/rent
Rent "Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story" here.
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