Ep494: Redd Kross Documentary Director & Record Collector Andrew Reich

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

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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