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)
Political Destruction
RKL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back in the days when it was good.
Political Destruction since the beginning of time,
Soon the dollar won't be worth a dime.
Political Destruction, we've gone downhill.
Political Destruction, we're all gonna die.
The government here did the best they could,
Back in the days when it was good.
Soon the dollar won't be worth a dime.
Political Destruction, we've gone downhill.
Political Destruction, we're all gonna die!
The lyrics of RKL's song Political Destruction talk about the decline of society due to political decisions and policies. The first stanza talks about how the government officials in the past did their best to create a functioning society when things were good. However, the second stanza talks about how over time, there has been a steady downfall in society with the phrase "Political Destruction since the beginning of time." The singer predicts that the economy will also soon decline with the statement, "Soon the dollar won't be worth a dime." The last two lines of each stanza reinforce the idea of political destruction and a bleak future for society with the repeated phrase, "We're all gonna die."
The overall message in the song is a critique of the political system, and the lyrics highlight the negative effects of political decisions on society. The lyrics show that the current state of society is a result of long-standing social and political problems that need to be addressed. The phrase 'Political destruction' highlights the role of policy in shaping society and how a lack of effective governance can lead to the breakdown of society over time.
Line by Line Meaning
The government here did the best they could,
The government attempted to perform their responsibilities to the best of their abilities.
Back in the days when it was good.
This took place in the past when the state of the government was much better.
Political Destruction since the beginning of time,
The ruin of politics has been ongoing since the start of human history.
Soon the dollar won't be worth a dime.
The currency value will soon plummet.
Political Destruction, we've gone downhill.
Politics has had a devastating effect on our progress.
Political Destruction, we're all gonna die.
The damage from politics could very well lead to our demise.
Lyrics © ACCRETIVE COPYRIGHT CO A DIV OF SOLAR R INC
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