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)
Lies
RKL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, Thanks to all the people who have seen us more than once.
This is our last German ???.
Oh yeah. The rumour. It's a lie. Go.
(Joe)This is your live record so show 'em how Berlin can rock.
Ah, that's wonderful. TV and media, it's all a cover up.
They won't accept the blame,
Because they fucked up!
And then it's our fault
Just tell me who I should believe.
Corn flake cereals, MTV videos,
All our minds are turning into waste.
T.V. News says it's the truth,
But it's just a big lie, it's a lie!
Plant their Lies inside my brain,
Just like a big seed.
Another capitalist game,
And on you they feed.
Corn flake cereals, MTV videos,
All our minds are turning into waste.
Trained like an animal,
Like a slave, I must obey.
Obey the Lies.
Obey the Lies!
Corn flake cereals, MTV videos,
All our minds are turning into waste.
T.V. News says it's the truth,
But it's just a big lie,
Just a lie!
The lyrics to RKL's song "Lies" touch upon the idea of the media's influence on our perception of reality. The song opens with a shoutout from Jon, most likely a reference to Jon Sharron, the owner of Mystic Records, which RKL was signed to at the time. The band thanks their fans for coming to multiple shows and remarks that their current performance in Germany is their last one. Then, they assert that a particular rumor is a lie and to disregard it.
From there, Joe launches into a criticism of the media and its role in shaping our understanding of events. He notes that TV and the media put up a smokescreen to absolve themselves of blame, pointing out the hypocrisy in the way that Moscow makes an error, but the blame ultimately falls on others. Joe questions who to trust and laments that our minds are being turned into waste by things like corn flake cereals and MTV videos. He points out that the lies are planted inside our brains like a big seed, and that it's all part of a capitalist game. In the bridge, Joe likens our training to that of an animal, implying that we are conditioned to obey the lies that are fed to us.
Overall, the lyrics of "Lies" convey a sense of disillusionment with the world around us and a desire to resist manipulation by those in power. The references to corn flake cereals and MTV videos highlight the idea that our culture is inundated with distractions that prevent us from recognizing the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey yeah! Jon told me to.
I am acknowledging Jon's instructions.
Hey, Thanks to all the people who have seen us more than once.
Expressing gratitude towards fans who have attended multiple shows.
This is our last German ???.
Announcing the band's final performance in Germany.
Oh yeah. The rumour. It's a lie. Go.
Confirming that a rumor is false and urging others to move on from it.
(Joe)This is your live record so show 'em how Berlin can rock.
Encouraging the band to perform their best during the live recording in Berlin.
Ah, that's wonderful. TV and media, it's all a cover up.
Expressing sarcasm and disbelief towards the media's reporting methods.
They won't accept the blame, Because they fucked up!
Noting the media's tendency to deflect blame for their mistakes and errors.
Moscow makes a mistake, And then it's our fault
Highlighting the unfair blame (by the media) placed on the band for something they had no control over.
Just tell me who I should believe.
Expressing confusion and frustration over contradictory information in the media.
Corn flake cereals, MTV videos, All our minds are turning into waste.
Criticizing the media's effect on our society by trivializing important issues and events.
T.V. News says it's the truth, But it's just a big lie, it's a lie!
Reiterating the theme of mistrust towards the media, who claim to present the truth but often do not.
Plant their Lies inside my brain, Just like a big seed.
Metaphorically comparing the media's falsehoods to a seed that grows in our minds.
Another capitalist game, And on you they feed.
Implying the media is part of a larger, exploitative capitalist structure that benefits from falsehoods and sensationalism.
Trained like an animal, Like a slave, I must obey.
Describing the media's ability to influence and brainwash individuals to adhere to their narratives.
Obey the Lies. Obey the Lies!
Highlighting how the media's falsehoods have been normalized, and individuals are expected to accept them.
Corn flake cereals, MTV videos, All our minds are turning into waste.
Repeating the idea that the media's superficial and manipulative content damages our society.
T.V. News says it's the truth, But it's just a big lie, Just a lie!
Reemphasizing that the media's claims of truth are often far from factual.
Lyrics © KAREN SCHAUBEN PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERNARD JOHN FROST, BRIAN MCGEE, CHARLES BURCHILL, DEREK FORBES, FRANCIS ROSSI, JAMES KERR, MICHAEL JOSEPH MACNEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind