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)
H.P.C.
RKL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love the animal rights, and humanity
We'll save the whales, dolphins, owls,
Excuse me, how about you and me?
You've got your head so far up in your ass,
Of course you cannot see.
Well, that your preachin' and your actions are all so contradictory.
H.P.C.
H.P.C.
H.P.C.
Slogan after slogan, thirteen's one more than twelve steps,
When you're cryin' in you're coffee, you're still cryin' none the less
H.P.C.
H.P.C.
Stop the smut, pot is evil, all you do is rag
Tomorrow's headlines:
"Local Hero Caught In a Peepshow Dressed In Drag"
Dressed in drag!
"Meat Is Murder" written big across your leather jacket,
A boycott oil companies bumper sticker on your rabbit.
Well it's anarchy, fuck the cops
Of course, how else, through peace.
But when the looters come to kick your ass I bet you cry "Police!"
H.P.C.
H.P.C.
H.P.C.
H.P.C.
Never plastic, always paper, correct is how we think,
We send the gays to fight for Uncle Sam
We'll dress them all in pink.
H.P.C.
H.P.C.
In one ear right out the other for what you say,
I have no respect.
Why? Because your Hippy critically Politically Correct.
Uh, What do you mean all you've eaten in the last 4 years is bee pollen?
Yeah, I told you, dude. I'm a veggan. All they eat is bee pollen.
You know how hard those bees have to work for a little bit of pollen?
No, dude. It's, it's good for you.
You can't be a true veggan if you eat bee pollen!
The song H.P.C. by RKL is a criticism of the hypocritical nature of those who claim to be morally and socially aware. The lyrics point out the way in which some people preach about peace, love, animal rights, and humanity, while their actions contradict their words. The song calls out the superficiality of individuals who champion slogans and make bold statements without taking any significant actions to act upon their convictions. The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, stands for "Hippy Critically Politically Correct", and is used to mock the pretentiousness of those who only pretend to be socially active.
The song's verses are aimed at different targets, including environmentalist activists, marijuana users, animal rights activists, and the LGBTQ+ community. The lyrics suggest that their actions and beliefs are cliched and superficial, as if they are following a trend without understanding or genuinely embracing the ideologies that they espouse. The song's cynical perspective shines a light on how some people can act as if they are more virtuous or enlightened than others, despite living up to those principals truly, including the singer and the audience. In conclusion, the song is a witty, scathing critique of those who claim moral and social superiority, but whose actual behavior is hypocritical and self-serving.
Line by Line Meaning
With all your bullshit talk of peace,
You talk about peace but your actions don't align
Love the animal rights, and humanity
You care about animals and people
We'll save the whales, dolphins, owls,
We will save those animals from being hurt
Excuse me, how about you and me?
We need to focus on us as well
You've got your head so far up in your ass,
You are so self-involved that you can't see others' perspectives
Of course you cannot see.
It's no surprise that you can't see
Well, that your preachin' and your actions are all so contradictory.
You don't follow through with what you preach
H.P.C.
Hippie Critically Politically Correct
Slogan after slogan, thirteen's one more than twelve steps,
You have a lot of slogans but you're not making progress
When you're cryin' in you're coffee, you're still cryin' none the less
No matter what, you're still upset
Stop the smut, pot is evil, all you do is rag
You complain about everything and say drugs are bad
Tomorrow's headlines: 'Local Hero Caught In a Peepshow Dressed In Drag'
You pretend to be a hero but you're actually doing questionable things
Dressed in drag!
You were caught dressed in clothing opposite to your gender
"Meat Is Murder" written big across your leather jacket,
You wear a jacket promoting veganism
A boycott oil companies bumper sticker on your rabbit.
You have a bumper sticker to boycott oil companies on your car
Well it's anarchy, fuck the cops
You believe in anarchy and don't support the police
Of course, how else, through peace.
You think anarchy can be achieved through peace
But when the looters come to kick your ass I bet you cry "Police!"
When you're in trouble, you ask for the very thing you oppose
Never plastic, always paper, correct is how we think,
You believe in always using paper and think you're correct in doing so
We send the gays to fight for Uncle Sam
LGBT individuals are sent to fight in wars
We'll dress them all in pink.
They are represented in stereotypical ways
In one ear right out the other for what you say,
People don't listen to what you say
I have no respect.
People don't respect you
Why? Because your Hippy critically Politically Correct.
People don't respect you because you preach but don't follow through
Uh, What do you mean all you've eaten in the last 4 years is bee pollen?
You only eat bee pollen?
Yeah, I told you, dude. I'm a veggan. All they eat is bee pollen.
I am a veggan and only eat bee pollen
You know how hard those bees have to work for a little bit of pollen?
Bees have to work hard to create pollen
No, dude. It's, it's good for you.
Bee pollen is healthy
You can't be a true veggan if you eat bee pollen!
You can't be a true vegan if you eat bee pollen
Contributed by Kaitlyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.