For the first time since 1997, Redd Kross will embark on its first full-blast run of shows along the east coast and in the Great Lakes area. The same is true for San Diego and the Mojave Desert! The band will also join Dinosaur Jr. on several dates in Australia.

Redd Kross founding member and bassist Steve McDonald says of the tour: “We’re very excited about this run as it will also be the first chance we’ve had to spread the gospel of Researching the Blues on US soil beyond the west coast since its release back in August.”

The band has always garnered raves for its electrifying live shows. Of a recent performance, the Los Angeles Times wrote: “Redd Kross greeted 2013 with long hair flying and the kind of big, distorted chords, singalong choruses and head-banging ditties that made them one of Los Angeles’ greatest punk bands when they rose from Hawthorne in 1980 alongside kindred spirits Black Flag and Circle Jerks.”

For these upcoming dates, Redd Kross will work with Burger Records (the label that put out Researching the Blues on limited-edition cassette) to find “Burger-approved” local support in each town. Steve tells us that Lee from Burger will also be driving the guys around in the Burger Van, selling merch and maybe even guest DJing on special nights. Also, longtime Redd Kross fans will be excited to know that the band plans to dig deep into its 30-plus-year career-spanning catalog, playing such underground rock classics as “Annie’s Gone,” “Linda Blair,” and “Annette’s Got the Hits” in addition to songs from the recent album.

Researching the Blues features 10 new songs clocking in at just under 32 minutes. With songs written by co-founder Jeff McDonald and produced and mixed by Steve, the album is by far the band’s favorite record. Steve says, “It has the most singular artistic vision of any record we’ve done. It’s just 10 really fucking awesome songs that have the ability to move you in many different ways.”

NPR’s Stephen Thompson provided this glowing review of the record: “Power-pop signposts abound throughout the album, from Cheap Trick to Teenage Fanclub—the latter could’ve fit ‘Dracula’s Daughters’ onto Bandwagonesque and no one would have minded—but Researching the Blues never delves into nostalgia. Who has time, when you’re having this much fun blowing kids half your age out of the water?”

Researching the Blues is available now on CD, LP, and digital in the Merge store. Catch up on Redd Kross videos at their YouTube page, too!

Redd Kross on tour:
Mar 01 San Diego, CA – Casbah
Mar 02 Joshua Tree, CA – Pappy and Harriet’s
Mar 09 Meredith, AU – Golden Plains
Mar 12 Melbourne, AU – The Espy (Headlining)
Mar 14 Brisbane, AU – Hi-Fi w/ Dinosaur Jr.
Mar 15 Coolangatta, AU – Coolangatta Hotel w/ Dinosaur Jr.
Mar 16 Sydney, AU – The HiFi w/ Dinosaur Jr. & Royal Headache
Apr 03 Atlanta, GA – The Earl
Apr 04 Raleigh, NC – Kings Barcade
Apr 05 Washington, DC – Black Cat
Apr 06 New York, NY – Santos Party House (early show)
Apr 07 Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
Apr 10 Montreal, QC – Il Motore
Apr 11 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
Apr 12 Detroit, MI – Lager House
Apr 13 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
Apr 14 Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club

Redd Kross will release Researching the Blues, their Merge debut and first album in fifteen years, on August 7. Stream the full album now at NPR Music.

NPR’s Stephen Thompson says of Researching the Blues,

Power-pop signposts abound throughout the album, from Cheap Trick to Teenage Fanclub — the latter could’ve fit “Dracula’s Daughter” onto Bandwagonesque and no one would have minded — but Researching the Blues never delves into nostalgia. Who has time, when you’re having this much fun blowing kids half your age out of the water?

Listen to Redd Kross’ Researching the Blues now at NPR Music

Watch videos from throughout Redd Kross’ career at their newly launched YouTube page, and pre-order Researching the Blues on CD and LP now in the Merge store. Redd Kross have announced album release shows and will continue to add tour dates, so stay tuned to their Facebook and Twitter.

Redd Kross on tour:
Aug 7 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy
Aug 8 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Sept 1 Los Angeles, CA FYF Fest
Sept 6 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret
Sept 7 Seattle, WA Chop Suey
Sept 8 Portland, OR MusicFestNW @ Wonder Ballroom
Sept 23 Pensacola Beach, FL DeLuna Fest w/ Superchunk & Bob Mould

Redd Kross have announced new tour dates including an album release party on August 7 in Los Angeles at the Roxy! Their first new album in 15 years, Researching the Blues will be released on CD, LP and digital download August 7.

Researching the Blues features 10 new songs clocking in at just under 32 minutes. With songs written by Jeff and produced and mixed by Steven, the album is by far the band’s favorite record. Steve says, “It has the most singular artistic vision of any record we’ve done. It’s just 10 really fucking awesome songs that have the ability to move you in many different ways.”

Listen to “Researching the Blues” now at the Merge SoundCloud page

Researching the Blues is available for pre-order on CD and LP now in the Merge store.

Redd Kross on tour:
Jul 6 Brooklyn, NY  CBGB Festival @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Jul 7 Portland, OR  Smashed Block Party
Aug 7 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy
Aug 8 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Sept 1  Los Angeles, CA FYF Fest
Sept 6  Vancouver, BC TBA
Sept 7 Seattle, WA Chop Suey
Sept 8 Portland, OR MusicFestNW @ Wonder Ballroom
Sept 23 Pensacola Beach, FL  DeLuna Fest  w/ Superchunk

Redd Kross is back and delivering their signature brand of genuine rock ‘n’ roll with a vengeance. On August 7, Merge will release Researching the Blues, the first new album from Redd Kross in 15 years.

Researching the Blues features 10 new songs clocking in at just under 32 minutes. With songs written by Jeff and produced and mixed by Steven, the album is by far the band’s favorite record. Steve says, “It has the most singular artistic vision of any record we’ve done. It’s just 10 really fucking awesome songs that have the ability to move you in many different ways.”

Founded 34 years ago in Los Angeles during the first wave of LA punk rock by brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald (then respectively 15 and 11 years old), Redd Kross cut their teeth opening for Black Flag at a middle school graduation party. Their debut recordings caught the attention of Rodney Bingenheimer, who quickly became a fan as he spun their Ramones-inspired songs like “Annette’s Got The Hits” and “I Hate My School” on the world-famous KROQ.

In 2006, Jeff and Steven announced their reunion with the “classic Neurotica” line-up, joined once again by guitarist Robert Hecker (IT’S OK) and drummer Roy McDonald (The Muffs). Redd Kross have been playing to enthusiastic audiences at sold-out select shows and festivals such as the Azkena Festival; Coachella; The HooDoo Gurus’ Invitational, “Dig It Up”; All Tomorrow’s Parties; and Pop Montréal.

Researching the Blues is available for pre-order on CD and LP in the Merge store. Redd Kross have a couple of shows in May with more dates to come this year!

Redd Kross on tour:
May 18 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club
May 19 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle (Blackout Festival)