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)
Unborn Child
RKL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a crime to kill some unborn child,
Before it's born.
You don't even know what it's like,
To raise a kid
With income just enough to,
Live in a ditch.
Don't tell me about your story,
Money I rarely see.
I'm fucking poor.
My kid will grow up in the streets,
And fucking rob you.
You say to let him live,
Just wait to see what he'll do.
Reagan cuts welfare for birth control.
He say's it's justified with correct morals.
If you say it's wrong, man
Well, you go get fucked!
Go out an get some broad knocked up.
Then what?
Who's to say whether or not,
It's a crime to kill some unborn child,
Before it's born.
You don't even know what it's like,
To raise a kid,
With income just enough to
Live in a ditch.
Can't you see I don't want to know about your story?
'Cause I've heard it all before.
Money I rarely see.
'Cause, 'cause I'm... I'm fucking poor.
My kid will grow up in the streets,
And fucking rob you.
You say to let him live,
You'll see just what he'll do.
Bullshit!
The lyrics to RKL's Unborn Child delve into the controversy surrounding the decision to abort a child. The lyrics propose that it might not necessarily be a crime to abort an unborn child, given the circumstances of the parents. The lyrics reveal the viewpoint of a poor individual who is struggling to make ends meet, and the idea of adding a child to this mix seems daunting. The singer shares his discontent with individuals who don't understand the realities of raising a child in poverty, exclaiming "You don't even know what it's like, to raise a kid, with income just enough to live in a ditch."
Throughout the song, the singer highlights the potential harsh circumstances that his child would face, being raised in poverty and eventually joining the ranks of the street criminals. As such, the singer suggests that those who disagree with his opinion should go out and impregnate someone to see if they would still hold the same view. The song also points finger at Ronald Reagan, who cut welfare programs for birth control.
The song provokes conversation around the sensitive topic of abortion, especially with regards to the potential impact on children in impoverished environments. It highlights the importance of not just moral beliefs, but also practical and economic considerations when making decisions about whether or not to bring children into the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's to say whether or not,
Nobody has the right to decide whether it's a crime to abort a fetus.
It's a crime to kill some unborn child,
Abortions should be considered criminal even if it's not yet born.
Before it's born.
Abortion is performed before the birth of the fetus.
You don't even know what it's like,
You don't have an idea of how difficult it is
To raise a kid
To be a parent
With income just enough to,
Having just enough resources to survive
Live in a ditch.
Living in poverty or extreme deprivation
Don't tell me about your story,
I don't want to hear your story
I've heard it all before.
Your story isn't unique
Money I rarely see.
I don't have enough money
I'm fucking poor.
I'm extremely poor
My kid will grow up in the streets,
My child will live in poverty
And fucking rob you.
My child may resort to criminal activities for survival
You say to let him live,
You're telling me to keep the child alive
Just wait to see what he'll do.
Hope for the best in the future of the child
Reagan cuts welfare for birth control.
The government cut support for family planning.
He say's it's justified with correct morals.
Government claims it's a moral decision to cut welfare.
If you say it's wrong, man
If you disagree with the government's decision
Well, you go get fucked!
You can go and have sex (get pregnant) yourself
Go out an get some broad knocked up.
Go and impregnate a woman
Then what?
What will you do next?
Can't you see I don't want to know about your story?
I'm telling you that I'm not interested in your opinion.
'Cause I've heard it all before.
I've already heard and considered that opinion.
Bullshit!
This is all nonsense!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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