Ep494: Redd Kross Documentary Director & Record Collector Andrew Reich

Ep494: Redd Kross Documentary Director & Record Collector Andrew Reich

Author: The Vinyl Guide April 21, 2025 Duration: 1:27:02

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.

EXTENDED, Commercial free, high resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
Ep537: Bongo Fury at 50 – Zappa, Beefheart and the Vaultmeister [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:16
Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers discusses the Bongo Fury box set, the Frank and Beefheart origin story, Frank's cutting edge approach and what may be next from the Zappa Universe. Order the Zappa/Beefheart Bongo Fury 50th…
Ep535: Making Music & Vinyl History w Producer Plug [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:53
Producer Plug discusses his journey from New York DJ to hip hop producer for Wu-Tang members, running multiple record stores, and launching R&G Records in Inglewood with Snoop Dogg. Topics Include: Producer Plug discusse…
Chuck Negron (1942-2026) - The Vinyl Guide interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:36
Co-founder and former Three Dog Night frontman Chuck Negron (1942-2026) discusses the collectible records of his career, the early releases on small labels, the rare and recalled albums of Three Dog Night and mega-smash…
Ep534: Celebrating Chess Records with Steve Jordan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:11
Legendary drummer & producer Steve Jordan (The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, SNL & more), discusses the history and deep personal reverence for the music of Chess Records and the 75th vinyl reissue seri…
Ep533: Exploring the Pusciverse with Carina Round [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:19
Carina Round discusses the new Puscifer album "Normal Isn't", their creative partnership, how motherhood transformed her songwriting, the emotional experience of revisiting The Disconnection and much more. Topics Include…
Ep532: Lucinda Williams in a World Gone Wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:38
Lucinda Williams discusses her recent creative surge with multiple tribute albums, paying homage to the masters, Folkways days, post-stroke recovery and the new album World's Gone Wrong Topics Include: Lucinda announces…
Ep531: Erik "Smelly" Sandin of NOFX [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:32
Erik "Smelly" Sandin discusses NOFX life after touring, new music, sobriety through the NOFX hurricane, the Las Vegas incident controversy, the upcoming NOFX Retrospective at the Punk Rock Museum and more. Topics Include…
Ep530: Tales of The Ramones with Monte A Melnick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:23
The Ramones influenced generations despite critical dismissal and radio absence. Ramones tour manager Monte A Melnick reveals insider history, promotional collectables, diplomatic strategies for handling volatile band dy…
Ep529: Johnny Brennan of The Jerky Boys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:07
Johnny Brennan reveals how The Jerky Boys' underground cassette tapes became an American comedy phenomenon, spreading from NYC musicians to Howard Stern's radar before landing an Atlantic Records deal and finding success…