RED ROCKERS chronological discography
last updated: 24 Oct. 1999 - compiled by Dirk Horst
The Red Rockers are best known as the one-hit wonders from 1983 whose big popular song was "China".  They, along with Wire Train and RomeoVoid, helped put San Francisco's 415 Records on the map.  But the Red Rockers started out as a group of Clash-fanatics based in New Orleans.  So, instead of merely listing all their releases, I've also tried to trace the band's path and add some other additional info in order to make things a little more interesting.

Everything is in chronological order, except for radio broadcast LP's
and reissues which are at the end of this document.

 All information is for USA issues unless noted otherwise.
 Please email all additions and corrections to <dhorst@airmail.net>.

click here to read a great article on the
"History of Punk Rock in New Orleans" by Offbeat Magazine.

1979
Original band name:  The Rat Finks
original playlists included Clash covers

Name change to Red Rockers was inspired by the
b-side of a single from local punk act The Dills.
The song's title?  "Red Rockers Rule"

Red Rockers' original lineup:
John Griffith (pen name: "Stunn") - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Darren Hill (nickname: "Derwood") - bass
Patrick Butler Jones (pen name "Drummur") - drums, percussion
James Singletary (pen name: "James Jett") - lead guitar

first-ever release:
GUNS OF REVOLUTION
/ TEENAGE UNDERGROUND / NOTHING TO LOSE
7"-single on Vinyl Solution Records (New Orleans)
serial # VS003
single has printed labels on both sides, but came in a plain white sleeve

1980

NO QUESTIONS, NO ANSWERS
12" LP on Vinyl Solution Records (New Orleans)
serial # VS004
14 track compilation of local punk bands.
The Red Rockers contribute two original compositions:
1.  Dead Heroes      2.  Red Star


1981

the band re-locates to San Francisco and
signs to fledgling label 415 Records label
which is run by Howie Klein.
(415 is the local telephone area code)

 CONDITION RED
12" - debut LP  on 415 Records
serial # 415 A-0006
(click for cover art and more info)

tracklisting:
1.  Guns of Revolution
2.  Teenage Underground
3.  Peer Pressure
4.  Can You Hear
5.  Grow Up
6.  Know What I Think
7.  Dead Heroes
8.  Folsom Prison Blues [J. Cash]
9.  Condition Red
10.  Hold On
11.  White Law
12.  Live Or Die
 RODNEY ON THE 'ROQ Vol. II
  LP 1980, Posh Boy Records, PBS 123

  notes:  These albums are compilations of favorite tracks from noted
   LA radio DJ Rodney Bingenheimer at KROQ.  The
   Red Rockers track is "Dead Heroes", from their
debut album CONDITION RED.

D.I.Y. Magazine presents "Han-O-Disc"
punk compilation LP
songs by: Red Rockers, Black Flag, Slickee Boys, Enemies,
Andy and the Rattlesnakes, Mikel Japp, Lorelei, Dreamers,
Treva Spontaine and the Grafics, & AKA Etc.
LP is clear, comes in a clear picture disc type jacket, and has insert.
This was a promotional album selling the actual material of the record
("Futuristic design! Warp resistant!")  Self-described as the "Ultimate Compilation".
The Red Rockers' track is "Can You Hear Them".
1982

click here or here to see a couple of flyers promoting a show on April 9, 1982
(visit the Mike Blur Punk Rock Flyer Archive to see other flyers from many other bands)

1983

Jim Reilly joins Red Rockers, replacing Patrick Butler Jones behind the drums.
Reilly had formerly drummed for British punk band Stiff Little Fingers, having left them in 1981.

GOOD AS GOLD
  12" LP - Columbia/415 Records
serial # BFC 38629
(click for cover art and more info)
some copies had a sticker on the front that said "includes CHINA"

tracklisting:
1.  China
2.  Good As Gold
3.  Dreams Fade Away
4.  Change The World Around
5.  Answers To The Questions
6.  'Til It All Falls Down
7.  Running Away From You
8.  Fanfare For Metropolis
9.  (Come On Into) My House
10. Home Is Where the War Is
 CHINA / VOICE OF AMERICA
  7" -single (w/ picture sleeve?)
415 Records
serial number unknown

 CHINA / same
12" - DJ promo w/custom sticker
 Columbia/415 Records
serial # AS 1618

 CHINA / CHINA (Dance Mix) / BALL OF CONFUSION
  12" -single on Columbia/415 Records
(unique artwork on outer sleeve)
serial # 44-03629
  note: the b-side is a cover version of the Temptations classic song
with Deborah Iyall of RomeoVoid adding vocals.
 

 GOOD AS GOLD / same
12"-single DJ promo
  Columbia/415 Records
serial # AS 1713

 GOOD AS GOLD / 'TIL IT ALL FALLS DOWN
  7"-single on Columbia Records
serial # 38 04076 [Canada]
 

 'TIL IT ALL FALLS DOWN (5:10 & 4:29) / HOME IS WHERE THE WAR IS
  12"-single on Columbia/415 Records
(promo-only picture sleeve)
serial # 1732
  note:  Ivan Ivan remixed the lead track

DISTURBING THE PEACE - 415 RADIO SHOW
(DJ promo with special picture sleeve)
  12" LP - 1983 Columbia/415 Records

  notes:  Promotional item put together by label boss Howie Klein.
   It contains the extended version of "China" and 2 other
   album tracks from Red Rockers, as well as cuts from
   Romeo Void (3), Translator (3), New Math, Pop O Pies and
   Wire Train.  The LP is most notable for the Wire Train
   track, as it predates their signing to the 415 label.


1984

sometime before the next album, original member James Singletary
either chose to leave, or was with booted from the band.

Their new lineup:
John Griffth - lead vocals, guitars, piano
Darren Hill - bass guitar, vocals
Jim Reilly - drums, vocals
Shawn Paddock - guitars, vocals
 

 SCHIZOPHRENIC CIRCUS
  12" LP on Columbia/415 Records
serial # BFC 39281
(click for cover art and more info)

tracklisting:
1.  Just Like You
2.  Blood From a Stone
3.  Shades of '45
4.  Another Day
5.  Freedom Row
6.  Good Thing I Know Her
7.  Eve Of Destruction
8.  Both Hands In the Fire
9.  Burning Bridges
 EVE OF DESTRUCTION / T.D.F. THE TRUTH
  7"-single on Columbia Records
serial # 38 04596 [Canada]
note: the b-side is an oddity that seems to merely be an extended ending
(not even the entire song!) of the album track "Another Day", but with extra
vocal and instrumental effects.
 

 EVE OF DESTRUCTION / same
12"-single (DJ promo) on Columbia/415 Records
serial # 415 1913
 

 BLOOD FROM A STONE / BURNING BRIDGES
  7"-single on Columbia Records
serial # 38-04687 [Canada]
  7"-single on Columbia Records
serial # 39281 (USA)
(white label promo with special picture sleeve)

 BLOOD FROM A STONE / same
12"-single (DJ promo)
  Columbia Records
serial #1955
 

 JUST LIKE YOU (LP) / JUST LIKE YOU (edit)
12"-single (DJ promo with custom sticker)
  Columbia Records
serial # 2018


The band apparently broke up after the tour for SCHIZOPHRENIC CIRCUS ended.
Click here to see what everyone has done since then.
Read what the Trouser Press has to say about the Red Rockers career.
REISSUES:

 GOOD AS GOLD / SCHIZOPHRENIC CIRCUS
  CD 1995 on Oglio Records
serial # 81576

  notes:  This is a CD reissue with all 19 tracks included
   from both of the albums.  No bonus tracks were added,
   but this is the only way to obtain either of the
   albums on CD, so it really is quite a good deal!

  Oglio's website address is:  http://www.oglio.com/
 

 THE BEST OF 415 RECORDS
  CD - 1994 on 415 Records,
  Contains 3 tracks; "China", "Dead Heroes", and "Guns of Revolution".
 

 THE BEST OF RODNEY ON THE 'ROQ
  LP - 19??, Posh Boy Records, 8155-2
  CD - 1992, reissued on CD by Rhino Records, R2 71099

notes:  These are compilations of favorite tracks from noted
   LA radio DJ Rodney Bingenheimer at KROQ.  The
   Red Rockers track is "Dead Heroes", from their
debut album CONDITION RED.


 Radio show broadcasts & live LP's:

07 Aug. 1983 BBC ROCK HOUR #432
live concert recorded at the Palace in Hollywood

09 Oct. 1983 LONDON WAVELENGTHS
(same show as above, but distributed in the USA)

10 July 1983 KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR #479
(The Members /Red Rockers)
06 Nov. 1983 KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR (Best of the Biscuit)
(Steve Ray Vaughn / Red Rockers)
live concert recorded at the Agora in Dallas
Red Rockers were half of the King Biscuit broadcast and I've seen it split two different ways:
one show was Stevie Ray Vaughn/Red Rockers, and the other was The Members/Red Rockers.
 

 THE FLAME AND THE FIRE
  2xCD - Kiss The Stone Records, KTS 027
 FOUR AT FOUR
  2xCD - Red Phantom, RPCD 2059/2060
 PEACE UNDER A CHICAGO SKY
  1xCD - Men At Work, WORK 5522*2

  These are bootleg recordings of a U2 concert in Chicago on
  21 March 1985.  Red Rockers had been the opening band on the
  first leg of the UNFORGETTABLE FIRE tour, but this was their
  last show before Lone Justice replaced them as the opening act.
  U2 perform their traditional encore track, the song "40", with
  members of the Red Rockers.  The chorus of the song "Do They
  Know It's Christmas?" is also used in this long improvisation.

  note:   One or more of these titles may exist as 2xLP vinyl
   bootlegs. PEACE UNDER A CHICAGO SKY has the track
   with the Red Rockers, but it does not contain the
   full U2 setlist.

 note:   I don't know of any other radio appearances, but of course I'd love
  to hear of them if they exist.  It seems likely that there were
  probably some local FM broadcasts done in the USA, especially since
  other popular "new wave" bands at the time frequently did this.


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