Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
TV writer & Record Collector Andrew Reich (instagram.com/borninnocentreddkross) discusses his decade-long journey creating a documentary (reddkrossfilm.com/rent) about Los Angeles music legends Redd Kross (reddkross.com/) 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 (reddkrossfilm.com/rent)
Rent "Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story" here. (reddkrossfilm.com/rent)
EXTENDED, Commercial free, high resolution version of this podcast is available at: Patreon.com/VinylGuide (patreon.com/VinylGuide)
Listen on Apple: apple.co/2Y6ORU0 (apple.co/2Y6ORU0) Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi/36qhlc8
TV writer & Record Collector Andrew Reich (instagram.com/borninnocentreddkross) discusses his decade-long journey creating a documentary (reddkrossfilm.com/rent) about Los Angeles music legends Redd Kross (reddkross.com/) 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 (reddkrossfilm.com/rent)
Rent "Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story" here. (reddkrossfilm.com/rent)
EXTENDED, Commercial free, high resolution version of this podcast is available at: Patreon.com/VinylGuide (patreon.com/VinylGuide)
Listen on Apple: apple.co/2Y6ORU0 (apple.co/2Y6ORU0) Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi/36qhlc8
