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)
We're Back We're Pissed
RKL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So the young should listen up
Now is here but the futures up to us.
I've been to hell's high acre where
Self-destruction's going strong.
A place that if it's possible all
That can will sure go wrong.
Will sure go wrong.
Although four years was much too long.
And it's your emotions and attitudes that kept us strong.
There's no hippie turncoat incense charm perfection reached
We're back, We're pissed!
We're back, We're pissed.
We're back, We're pissed.
We're back, We're pissed.
We're fucking pissed!
Well, a story will unfold making sense
When it's through of exactly
Who we are and the effect we've had on you.
There's no inhibitions, hidden thoughts,
It slowly will unfold.
Rich kids were here and we ain't leaving 'till we get old.
We ain't living 'till we get old.
The lyrics of RKL’s song “We’re Back We’re Pissed” are about the band’s reemergence and resilience after a difficult time. The songwriter emphasizes the importance of the youth and the future in the opening lines, hinting that it is essential for young people to pay attention and learn from the band’s experience. The band members have been to a place where everything goes wrong, arguably a metaphor for their challenging period. Despite everything, RKL kept their emotions and attitudes in check, waiting patiently for a break from their predicament. The line “there’s no hippie turncoat incense charm perfection reached” suggests that there is no overnight fix or magic trick.
Later in the lyrics, RKL is saying that their story will unfold with time, and it will make sense to all those who have been following their journey. They have impacted the people around them, and their influence will gradually become evident. There is a defiant tone to the lyrics, with the band members saying that they are not leaving until they get old. This line suggests that RKL is not just making a comeback, but a lasting one.
Overall, the lyrics of “We’re Back We’re Pissed” are a declaration of the band’s resurgence and their determination to forge ahead no matter the challenges they face. The song’s message is to inspire young people to keep their heads up, take risks, keep pressing forward, and be persistent in their journey towards success.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the youth is when we started
We formed this group when we were young, so it's important for the next generation to pay attention to what we have to say.
So the young should listen up
Since we started when we were young, we have valuable insights for the youth of today.
Now is here but the futures up to us.
Although we're in the present, we have the power to shape the future.
I've been to hell's high acre where
We've been to some dark places.
Self-destruction's going strong.
People are still struggling with addiction and self-destructive behavior.
A place that if it's possible all
It's a place where everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.
That can will sure go wrong.
People who are there will inevitably face difficulties.
Well, a vacations what we wanted,
We wanted to take a break from our struggles.
Although four years was much too long.
But our break was longer than we anticipated.
And it's your emotions and attitudes that kept us strong.
The support of our fans helped us stay resilient.
There's no hippie turncoat incense charm perfection reached
We're not trying to be perfect or appeal to a particular group.
We're back, We're pissed!
We're back from our break, and we're angry about the problems we see in the world.
We're back, We're pissed.
We're back from our break, and we're still angry!
We're back, We're pissed.
We're back from our break, and we're even more angry!
We're back, We're pissed.
Did we mention we're angry?!
We're fucking pissed!
Seriously, we're really, really angry!
Well, a story will unfold making sense
We have a message to share that will become clear as we tell our story.
When it's through of exactly
Once it's all said and done, you'll understand exactly who we are and what we stand for.
Who we are and the effect we've had on you.
We want to make an impact and influence those who listen to our music.
There's no inhibitions, hidden thoughts,
We're not holding back or hiding anything in our music.
It slowly will unfold.
Our message will reveal itself over time.
Rich kids were here and we ain't leaving 'till we get old.
We're not going anywhere, and we don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
We ain't living 'till we get old.
We're committed to this lifestyle and this cause until the end of our days.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: JOE J. RAPOSO, DAVE M. RAUN, CHRISTOPHER N. REST, JASON KEMPER SEARS, BARRY WARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind