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)
Life's A Gamble
RKL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta have a hand just to stay sane,
Why's it always seem I lose my turn?
Well, the game's gotten old and my brain is sore,
I still role the dice, but I can't keep score,
Still just a pawn, I await my crown.
My life lies on an old chess board,
I hide in the corners to avoid the storms,
I know some day when the tables turn,
I'll jump ahead and you'll be burnt.
All I ask is just a chance.
Gamble with life everyday,
Time doesn't matter anyway.
You can say that I'm so lost,
But you're just the one who sits home and rots!
I'm gonna have me some fun!
I won't stop 'till I'm done.
I won't sit home all locked up.
I'm gonna go out an get things done.
I'm not afraid to change my life.
I'm gonna do what's Right for me.
I'm gonna have me some fun!
I won't stop 'till I'm done.
I won't sit home all locked up.
I'm gonna go out an get things done.
I'm not afraid to change my life.
I'm gonna do what's Right For Me.
Gamble with life everyday,
Time doesn't matter anyway.
You can say that I'm so lost,
But you're just the one who sits home and rots!
But I'm gonna have me some fun!
Won't stop 'till I'm done.
I won't sit home all locked up.
I'm gonna go out an get things done.
I'm not afraid to change my life.
I'm gonna do what's Right For Me!
The song "Life's A Gamble" by RKL is a reflection on the unpredictable nature of life. The theme of the song revolves around taking chances in order to win big, but also accepting that sometimes things just don't go your way. The first verse speaks to the game of life, where you need to have a hand just to stay sane. Life is portrayed as a game where the odds aren't always in your favor, and sometimes you lose your turn. But despite the obstacles, the game continues and you have to keep going, even if your brain is worn out and you can't keep score.
The second verse compares life to a chess board, where you have to maneuver through obstacles and sometimes hide in the corners to avoid getting caught up in the storms. The singer hopes that someday the tables will turn and they'll come out ahead, but for now, they're just a pawn awaiting their turn. The chorus emphasizes the idea that life is a gamble and that time doesn't matter anyway. The singer is determined to have fun, get things done, and not be afraid to change their life.
Overall, the song is about taking risks, embracing change, and having the courage to live life on your own terms. It's a call to action for those who are tired of sitting at home and waiting for things to happen, and instead want to go out and make their dreams a reality by taking chances and pursuing their passions.
Line by Line Meaning
Life's just a game that you have to play,
Life is a game that we are all a part of and we have no choice but to participate.
Gotta have a hand just to stay sane,
We need to have some amount of control over our lives to maintain our sanity.
Why's it always seem I lose my turn?
Life seems unfair at times, and it can feel like we are constantly losing or missing out on opportunities.
Well, the game's gotten old and my brain is sore,
Life can feel tedious and overwhelming, and it can affect us mentally and emotionally.
I still role the dice, but I can't keep score,
We can't always predict the outcomes of our actions or decisions, and it can be difficult to track our progress.
Still just a pawn, I await my crown.
Despite our efforts, we may still feel powerless and insignificant, waiting for our moment of glory.
My life lies on an old chess board,
Life can feel like a strategic game where each move can lead to a win or loss.
I hide in the corners to avoid the storms,
We may try to avoid challenges or difficulties that come our way.
Maybe some day I might just win.
Despite setbacks, we still hold onto hope that we can achieve our goals.
I know some day when the tables turn,
We may anticipate a change in luck or circumstances that would benefit us in the future.
I'll jump ahead and you'll be burnt.
When our luck changes, we may surpass those who didn't believe in us or underestimated us.
All I ask is just a chance.
We may only need a small opportunity to make a significant impact or difference in our lives.
Gamble with life everyday,
We face risks and uncertainties every day that require us to make choices and decisions.
Time doesn't matter anyway.
Time is a limited resource, but we need to live in the present and make the most of the time we have.
You can say that I'm so lost,
Others may perceive us as struggling or directionless.
But you're just the one who sits home and rots!
Others may criticize us, but they may not be taking any actions themselves to improve their own lives.
I'm gonna have me some fun!
We deserve to enjoy ourselves and find joy in life.
I won't stop 'till I'm done.
We need to persevere and keep going until we achieve our goals.
I won't sit home all locked up.
We need to take action and make moves to improve our lives, rather than staying stagnant.
I'm gonna go out an get things done.
We need to be proactive and take charge of our lives to achieve success.
I'm not afraid to change my life.
We should embrace change and take risks in order to grow and improve.
I'm gonna do what's Right for Me.
We should prioritize our own well-being and happiness in our decisions and actions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind