The groups name came about as a mere fluke from some light hearted criticism. According to vocalist Jason Sears in a 2002 interview with Thrasher magazine: “It happened that some guy said, 'Ha, those kids will never be anything, they're just a bunch of rich kids on LSD, man.' The first party we played we didn't have a name for the band, so we put that one on the flier and it just stuck.”
Their musical evolution can be heard on their webpage, which features "RKL Radio" with nearly all of their songs streamed including a complete discography.
RKL break-up and return
After a couple line-up changes in the late eighties and early nineties, the original vocalist Jason Sears returned to the band in 1994 to help finish their European tour. This sparked the band to record its first album, Riches to Rags, with him in a little under a decade. The band suffered an ill-fated break-up in 1996 which led most of the members of the band to go on to other projects and form new bands. However only a year later did the band return with most of its previous members minus drummer Dave Raun and guitarist Barry "D'Live" Ward who had their spots filled by Boz Rivera and Chris Flippin.
Guitarist Chris Rest and the bands original drummer Richard "Bomer" Manzullo, formed The Other with Mad Caddies drummer Boz Rivera. Boz would later go on to join RKL when they reunited in 1997.
Former guitarist Barry Ward otherwise known as "Barry D'Live" went on to play with such acts as Hotbox as well as playing under the alias "The Wooper" with the group he currently resides in, the Crosstops. He also stood in for some bands on tour such as filling in for Me First and the Gimme Gimmes guitarist Chris Shiflett (who also plays for the Foo Fighters) as well as being hired on as Balsac the Jaws of Death for the theatrical shock rock group GWAR.
Former drummer Dave Raun, Chris Rest and future member Chris Flippin joined the Goleta based punk band Lagwagon. Dave also went on to play drums for the all-star cover band, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.
Bassist Joe Raposo along with Chris Rest and Boz Rivera also compose half of the San Francisco based group King City.
Vocalist Jason Sears did a track for a Snot tribute album to their late lead singer Lynn Strait. He later did an album with the San Diego based band Mercury Legion.
RKL today
On March 30, 2005, Derrick Plourde, former drummer of RKL, who also played in Lagwagon, Bad Astronaut, Jaws, and The Ataris, committed suicide. Lagwagon paid tribute to Derrick with their 2005 release of the album Resolve.
On December 12, 2005, the original drummer Richard Anthony Manzullo (aka "Bomer") died due to heart failure at his home in Summerland, California. The cause of death was the result of a long time battle with drug addictions.
On January 31, 2006, Jason Sears died due to complications while undergoing a detox treatment involving ibogaine in Tijuana, Mexico. The cause of death was the result of a pulmonary embolism caused by thrombosis.
Currently the future for RKL remains uncertain. There are rumors of an "RKLAOKE" show sometime in the Summer of 2006 as a benefit concert to raise money for Jason's kids. The show as well as time and venue have yet to be confirmed. The show would feature the remaining members of the band playing all the past favorites with different members of the audience.
Past and present band members of R.K.L.
Current Lineup (1997-2005)
Jason Sears -- vocals
Chris Flippin -- guitar
Chris Rest -- guitar
Joe Raposo -- bass
Boz Rivera -- drums
Lineup (1994-1996)
Jason Sears -- vocals
Barry Ward -- guitar
Chris Rest -- guitar
Joe Raposo -- Bass
Dave Raun -- drums
Lineup (1992-1993)
Bomer Manzullo -- vocals
Barry Ward -- guitar
Chris Rest -- guitar
Joe Raposo -- Bass
Dave Raun -- drums
Lineup (1987-1989)
Jason Sears -- vocals
Joe Raposo -- bass
Barry Ward -- guitar
Chris Rest -- guitar
"Bomer" Manzullo -- drums
Lineup (1985-1987)
Jason Sears -- vocals
Vince Peppars -- bass
Chris Rest -- guitar
Barry Ward -- guitar
"Bomer" Manzullo -- drums
Original lineup (1983-1985)
Jason Sears -- vocals
Vince Peppars -- bass
Chris Rest -- guitar
"Alpo" -- guitar
"Bomer" Manzullo -- drums
R.K.L. Discography
Nardcore, Compilation LP (Mystic Records, 1984; "US Steel", "Lies", "No Respect")
It's a Beautiful Feeling, 7" EP (Mystic Records, 1984)
Covers, Compilation LP (Mystic Records, 1984; "Chinese Rocks")
Mystic Super Seven Sampler #1, Compilation LP (Mystic Records, 1984)
Return to Slimey Valley LP , Compilation LP (Mystic Records, 1985; "Evil In You")
Keep Laughing LP (Mystic Records, 1985)
RocK 'n Roll Nightmare LP (Alchemy Records, 1987; re-released on CD by Epitaph Records)
Double Live in Berlin LP (Destiny Records, 1989; recorded live in Germany on 1988 tour)
Reactivate LP (Epitaph Records, 1993)
Riches to Rags LP (Epitaph Records, 1994)
Revenge is a Beautiful Feeling, CD (2000?)
Keep Laughing (w/ It's a Beautiful Feeling), Mystic Re-release, CD (2002)
Videos
Still Flailing After All These Beers, VHS (1997)
Beautiful Feeling pt. 3
RKL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Non-stop pleasure slowly creeps from toe to brain.
With my multitude of senses,
Reality has become my only ball and chain.
Or any cosmic consolations to sustain.
I'm still moving through this fantasy
It's time to place your bets
And gamble with me.
Don't stop!
I'm taking off from here.
Time takes!
Away my petty fears.
Kick-back!
Move in my stratosphere
On a ticket straight to where
Ill fate will perforate and disappear
No inhibitions, gliding straight into our fate
The unknown point.
Well, your destiny is in my hands,
Relax and its your mind I will anoint.
Please come with me, no turning back
The time you've spent with us for you are here,
'Cause it's a lesson to be learned by those
Who base their actions solely on their fears
Don't stop!
I'm taking off from here
Time takes!
Away my petty fears
Kick-back!
Move in my stratosphere
On a ticket straight to where
Ill fate will perforate and disappear.
Back off!
Unless your on this flight.
No more!
Crude actions out of spite.
Last chance!
To bail out from fright.
Hold tight - you might get air sick at my height.
Countdown Start... 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1...Launch.
Well, trailing on a blaze of thriving insight
Straight into the unknown void.
Well, I'm watching my reflection be projected
On a piece of celluloid.
Deep in the alleys of my mind
I find a dark shadow of the paranoid.
But I'll come down to see it's only me
And I hold the master-key.
The song "Beautiful Feeling" by RKL is a fast-paced, high-energy ode to the euphoria of letting go of inhibitions and embracing the unknown. The lyrics describe an experience of non-stop pleasure that slowly creeps from toe to brain, creating a feeling of being freed from the ball and chain of reality. The singer in the song is inviting others to join them on a journey of no inhibitions, promising to take them to a place where ill fate will perforate and disappear. The singer suggests that the journey is a lesson to be learned by those who base their actions solely on their fears.
The lyrics are open to interpretation but could be seen as a celebration of taking risks, facing one’s fears, and embracing the unknown. The singer appears to be inviting others to let go of their inhibitions and join them on a journey to a place where anything is possible. The repeated refrain of "don't stop, I'm taking off from here, time takes away my petty fears, kick back move in my stratosphere" reinforces the idea of letting go and embracing the moment. The song builds to a crescendo with a countdown that leads to a launch, suggesting the start of a new adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it's a feeling so euphoric
Non-stop pleasure slowly creeps from toe to brain.
With my multitude of senses,
Reality has become my only ball and chain.
Well, there's no hippie revelations
Or any cosmic consolations to sustain.
I'm still moving through this fantasy
It's time to place your bets and gamble with me.
Don't stop!
I'm taking off from here.
Time takes!
Away my petty fears.
Kick-back!
Move in my stratosphere.
On a ticket straight to where
Ill fate will perforate and disappear
No inhibitions, gliding straight into our fate
The unknown point.
Well, your destiny is in my hands,
Relax and its your mind I will anoint.
Please come with me, no turning back
The time you've spent with us for you are here, 'Cause it's a lesson to be learned by those who base their actions solely on their fears
Back off!
Unless you're on this flight.
No more!
Crude actions out of spite.
Last chance!
To bail out from fright.
Hold tight - you might get air sick at my height.
Countdown Start... 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1...Launch.
Well, trailing on a blaze of thriving insight
Straight into the unknown void.
Well, I'm watching my reflection be projected
On a piece of celluloid.
Deep in the alleys of my mind
I find a dark shadow of the paranoid.
But I'll come down to see it's only me
And I hold the master-key.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: BARRY WARD, CHRISTOPHER N REST, DAVE RAUN, J JOE RAPOSO, JASON SEARS, JOE RAPOSO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Madison
Well, it's a feeling so euphoric
Non-stop pleasure slowly creeps from toe to brain.
With my multitude of senses,
Reality has become my only ball and chain.
Well, there's no hippie revelations
Or any cosmic consolations to sustain.
I'm still moving through this fantasy
It's time to place your bets
And gamble with me.
Don't stop!
I'm taking off from here.
Time takes!
Away my petty fears.
Kick-back!
Move in my stratosphere
On a ticket straight to where
Ill fate will perforate and disappear
No inhibitions, gliding straight into our fate
The unknown point.
Well, your destiny is in my hands,
Relax and its your mind I will anoint.
Please come with me, no turning back
The time you've spent with us for you are here,
'Cause it's a lesson to be learned by those
Who base their actions solely on their fears
Don't stop!
I'm taking off from here
Time takes!
Away my petty fears
Kick-back!
Move in my stratosphere
On a ticket straight to where
Ill fate will perforate and disappear.
Back off!
Unless your on this flight.
No more!
Crude actions out of spite.
Last chance!
To bail out from fright.
Hold tight - you might get air sick at my height.
Countdown Start... 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1...Launch.
Well, trailing on a blaze of thriving insight
Straight into the unknown void.
Well, I'm watching my reflection be projected
On a piece of celluloid.
Deep in the alleys of my mind
I find a dark shadow of the paranoid.
But I'll come down to see it's only me
And I hold the master-key.
Silas Cabral
Well, it's a feeling so euphoric
Non-stop pleasure slowly creeps from toe to brain.
With my multitude of senses,
Reality has become my only ball and chain.
Well, there's no hippie revelations
Or any cosmic consolations to sustain.
I'm still moving through this fantasy
It's time to place your bets
And gamble with me.
Don't stop!
I'm taking off from here.
Time takes!
Away my petty fears.
Kick-back!
Move in my stratosphere
On a ticket straight to where
Ill fate will perforate and disappear
No inhibitions, gliding straight into our fate
The unknown point.
Well, your destiny is in my hands,
Relax and its your mind I will anoint.
Please come with me, no turning back
The time you've spent with us for you are here,
'Cause it's a lesson to be learned by those
Who base their actions solely on their fears
Don't stop!
I'm taking off from here
Time takes!
Away my petty fears
Kick-back!
Move in my stratosphere
On a ticket straight to where
Ill fate will perforate and disappear.
Back off!
Unless your on this flight.
No more!
Crude actions out of spite.
Last chance!
To bail out from fright.
Hold tight - you might get air sick at my height.
Countdown Start... 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1...Launch.
Well, trailing on a blaze of thriving insight
Straight into the unknown void.
Well, I'm watching my reflection be projected
On a piece of celluloid.
Deep in the alleys of my mind
I find a dark shadow of the paranoid.
But I'll come down to see it's only me
And I hold the master-key.
J Madison
Well, it's a feeling so euphoric
Non-stop pleasure slowly creeps from toe to brain.
With my multitude of senses,
Reality has become my only ball and chain.
Well, there's no hippie revelations
Or any cosmic consolations to sustain.
I'm still moving through this fantasy
It's time to place your bets
And gamble with me.
Don't stop!
I'm taking off from here.
Time takes!
Away my petty fears.
Kick-back!
Move in my stratosphere
On a ticket straight to where
Ill fate will perforate and disappear
No inhibitions, gliding straight into our fate
The unknown point.
Well, your destiny is in my hands,
Relax and its your mind I will anoint.
Please come with me, no turning back
The time you've spent with us for you are here,
'Cause it's a lesson to be learned by those
Who base their actions solely on their fears
Don't stop!
I'm taking off from here
Time takes!
Away my petty fears
Kick-back!
Move in my stratosphere
On a ticket straight to where
Ill fate will perforate and disappear.
Back off!
Unless your on this flight.
No more!
Crude actions out of spite.
Last chance!
To bail out from fright.
Hold tight - you might get air sick at my height.
Countdown Start... 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1...Launch.
Well, trailing on a blaze of thriving insight
Straight into the unknown void.
Well, I'm watching my reflection be projected
On a piece of celluloid.
Deep in the alleys of my mind
I find a dark shadow of the paranoid.
But I'll come down to see it's only me
And I hold the master-key.
StonedxMentality
when it comes to RKL, yes RKL there is no best album. they are all fucking awesome with a different sound to each one REST IN PEACE Bomer Jason Derrik
Om Egaliter
underated awesome band
DaGhxst Gaming
dude thats so awesome im 13 and im a huge fan i found out about these guys through punk-o-rama
Neutral
And now you're 19, that's crazy
Vlad Tepes
@Neutral he's 21 now
Daniel Lerch
@Vlad Tepes 22 now
Carbonated _Cat_Soup
The drums are so sick
Duskstalker
Fuck yeah!!!! my dad Freaking turned the volume up on this song. My favorite RKL SONG EVER!!! Cant believe my dad grew up with these guys:D They are awesome as hell!!
Manuetal
I Love RKL!!!!!!!