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)
Give It Up
RKL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living my life just for me and today.
Blind to what you show me,
And deaf to what you say.
Followed you and wound up lost.
Still your the one who sits home and rots.
Now it's my turn to talk, so listen up!
Your years of advice and shit,
Suck what!
Well, I did it my own way
I got put through the test
Never quitting, slowing down, or losing hope
I did my best
You said I'd fail
I said yeah you wanna bet
And now when you look at me
What you see is what you get
I was afraid, I tried to hide who I am deep inside
I didn't know how hard it'd be
Tryin' to be someone else instead of being
Me is the person I live my life for today
Oblivious to you
But see, I like it more that way
Just me myself and I, but definitely not you.
I'll ride this fucker out, I'll live my life,
I'll see it through.
What you see is what you get.
What you see is what you get.
What you see is what you get.
I was afraid, I tried to hide,
Who I am deep inside.
I didn't know how hard it'd be,
Tryin' to be someone else instead...
Of bein' me!
The song "Give It Up" by RKL is a reflection on the importance of being true to oneself and not living life according to the expectations of others. The lyrics describe a person who has been blindly following the advice of others and has ended up feeling lost and unfulfilled. The singer decides to take control of their own life and live for themselves, not worrying about the opinions of others. Despite the challenges they face along the way, they refuse to give up and continue to push forward, determined to be true to who they are.
The opening lines suggest that the singer has been living their life for the present moment and ignoring the guidance and wisdom of others. They feel like they have been led astray and are determined to break free from the hold that others have had over them. The chorus repeats the line "what you see is what you get," emphasizing that the singer is being authentic and true to themselves, without any pretense or facade. The final lines of the song express the difficulty the singer has faced in trying to be someone else instead of embracing their true self.
Overall, "Give It Up" is a powerful anthem about standing up for oneself and living a life that is true to who we are as individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Give It Up!
The singer is declaring a bold statement to the listener to let go of controlling their life.
Living my life just for me and today.
The singer is living their life only for themselves in the present moment, not worrying about the past or future.
Blind to what you show me, and deaf to what you say.
The singer is not receptive to the listener's advice or guidance.
Followed you and wound up lost. Still your the one who sits home and rots.
The artist previously followed the listener's advice and ended up lost. The listener continues to be stagnant and unproductive.
Now it's my turn to talk, so listen up! Your years of advice and shit, I've had enough!
The artist is asserting their authority over their own life and no longer wants to hear the listener's advice.
Suck what! Well, I did it my own way. I got put through the test. Never quitting, slowing down, or losing hope. I did my best.
The singer confidently declares that they did things their own way, and despite the challenges they faced, they never lost hope or stopped trying their best.
You said I'd fail. I said yeah you wanna bet. And now when you look at me what you see is what you get.
The listener doubted the singer's success, but the singer proved them wrong and is now living their best life.
I was afraid, I tried to hide who I am deep inside. I didn't know how hard it'd be. Tryin' to be someone else instead of being Me is the person I live my life for today
The artist was once afraid to be themselves and tried to conform to the listener's expectations but realized it's harder to be someone else and is now living their life for themselves.
Oblivious to you. But see, I like it more that way. Just me myself and I, but definitely not you.
The artist is purposely ignoring the listener and is happy living life on their own terms without interference.
I'll ride this fucker out, I'll live my life, I'll see it through.
The artist is determined to live their life fully without giving up or stopping until the end.
What you see is what you get.
The singer is honest and genuine, and there's no hidden agenda or façade to who they are.
I was afraid, I tried to hide, Who I am deep inside. I didn't know how hard it'd be, Tryin' to be someone else instead... Of bein' me!
The artist reiterates that they were once afraid to be themselves and tried to be someone else, but it's too challenging and, ultimately, not worth it.
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.