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
ep497: mclusky is still here with andrew falkous [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:50
andrew "falco" falkous discusses the reformation of his band mclusky after a nearly 20-year hiatus, their upcoming album on ipecac recordings, the rare catalogue of vinyl releases and more! Topics Include: falco confirms…
Ep496: The Adjacent Possible w/ Damian Kulash of OK Go [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:15
Damian Kulash of OK Go discusses his evolution from punk music fan, working with Dischord records, and creating boundary-pushing music, vinyl packaging and viral videos Topics Include: New album "And The Adjacent Possibl…
Ep495: Private Function Still On Top w/ Chris Penney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:40
Private Function frontman and instigator Chris Penney discusses the rare, collectable and controversial vinyl art of the band and reveals some details of their new album. Topics Include: Chris Penney injured himself at a…
Ep493: 20 Trips of Brown Acid w/ Daniel, Lance and Lenny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:37
Nuggets curator Lenny Kaye joins Brown Acid creators Lance Barresi and Daniel Hall to celebrate their 20th volume of rescuing forgotten proto-metal singles from the early 70s, discuss rare vinyl discoveries, and preservi…
Ep492: Zev Feldman Returns! RSD Picks with The Jazz Detective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:55
Renowned archivist & record producer Zev Feldman, "The Jazz Detective", returns to discusses the Record Store Day 2025 releases of lost jazz recordings from Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Mingus, Bill Evans, Patsy Cline & more…
Al Barile (1962-2025) - The Vinyl Guide Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:11
Replay of our 2024 interview with hardore legend Al Barile of SSD and X-Claim! Records. Photos by Alison Braun ------- Society System Decontrol (SSD) self-released several landmark hardcore punk records in the early 80s.…
Ep491: Aussie Legend Tex Perkins - The Cruel Sea, The Beasts & Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:28
Australian icon Tex Perkins takes us through his legendary career, from The Cruel Sea & The Beasts recent works, to wild ARIA award nights, his atrocious habits with vinyl records, reissuing his works on vinyl and lots m…
Ep490: Saving Vinyl - Rescuing Australia's Last Record Press [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:58
Despite having no manufacturing experience, Nick Phillips (The Breadmakers, Corduroy Records) impulsively bought Australia's last vinyl pressing equipment, not only saving it from the scrap heap, but creating an Australi…
Ep489: Wolfgang Flür (ex Kraftwerk) & Peter Duggal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
Wolfgang Flür, formerly of Kraftwerk, and musical collaborator Peter Duggal, discuss musical journeys, memories from the Kraftwerk years, collaborating with members of Daft Punk and Joy Division for the new LP "Times" an…