Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Brain Dead Studios, Los Angeles
**THE SECRET LIVES OF BILL BARTELL + BORN INNOCENT: THE REDD KROSS STORY** A double feature celebrating two essential figures of Los Angeles underground music culture. **Q&A** with the filmmakers after the screenings! ### THE SECRET LIVES OF BILL BARTELL *Director:* David Markey *Cast:* Allison Anders, Fat Mike, & Thurston Moore *Run Time:* 101 mins [*Trailer*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVOt09XR1JM) *Format:* DCP *Release Year:* 2025 BILL BARTELL is not famous but those who knew him think he should be. Bill was a musician, band manager, record label owner, police officer, rodeo bull rider, an attention-seeking recluse, and the ultimate fan-boy. He led an exceedingly compartmentalized life, keeping a tight lid on his background, his occupations, relationships and sexuality, hiding the jarring conflicts. The whole of his life was an enigma and maintaining it took a toll. Many of those who knew him during his 52 years of life were kept in the dark of his doings. No one knew – and still no one knows – the whole of his life. ### BORN INNOCENT: THE REDD KROSS STORY *Director:* Andrew Reich *Cast:* Jeffrey McDonald, Steve McDonald *Run Time:* 87 mins [*Trailer*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcwDoLuo1QU) *Format:* DCP *Release Year:* 2024 Born Innocent makes the case for Redd Kross as the seminal West Coast band of the last half century. Formed in 1978 by brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald, and still actively playing and recording today, Redd Kross are the ultimate rock and roll lifers. They have influenced independent music in ways that beg to be acknowledged. From inventing Beach Punk to influencing the Grunge and Hair Metal movements, Redd Kross have maintained the highest level of musical integrity, originality and quality for over forty years. They are the underappreciated link between countless threads of Los Angeles rock. The band that connects Black Flag to The Partridge Family, The Runaways to The Cowsills Seeds, The Go-Go’s to The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Born Innocent will introduce a wider audience to two of the coolest people alive. The McDonald Brothers embody Southern California, rock and roll, and what it means to be an artist.