Rich Kids on LSD (R.K.L.) was a Californian hardcore punk band formed in 19… Read Full Bio ↴Rich Kids on LSD (R.K.L.) was a Californian hardcore punk band formed in 1984 in Santa Barbara, California. They were associated with the "Nardcore" scene that evolved out of nearby Oxnard. Their music expanded over the years from pure West Coast hardcore to an extraordinary mix of hardcore with rock elements. This style, along with touring, made them very popular on the European scene, especially among skaters in the eighties and nineties.

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)

Why
RKL Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They seem to be in a state identical to that curious 20th century earth disease called hard drug abuse.

I had to get high,
Didn't matter how at the time.
Dirty needles,
Gave me a disease.
Yellow eyes, yellow skin,
My liver bleeds!

But I don't need it anymore,
And why I ever did before?
Why? Why?
All my insecurities.
An escape that led to this disease.
Addiction is something I don't need!
I had to get high,
Didn't matter how at the time.
Dirty needles,
Gave me a disease.
Yellow eyes, yellow skin,
My liver bleeds!
But I don't need it anymore,
And why I ever did before?
Why? Why?
All my insecurities.
An escape that led to this disease.
Addiction is something I don't need!
But I don't need it anymore,
And why I ever did before?
Why? Why?
Why? Why? Why? Why?
All my insecurities.
An escape that led to this disease.

Addiction is something I don't need!
As a Vulcan, I find the need for hard drugs to be totally illogical

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to RKL's "Why" depicts the struggles of drug addiction and the self-reflective questioning that comes with realizing the damage that has been done. The first line, "They seem to be in a state identical to that curious 20th century earth disease called hard drug abuse," implies a sense of detachment or observation of others who are also dealing with addiction. The singer then admits to their own struggle and the desperate need to get high. The consequences of using dirty needles are made clear with the mention of a disease that has caused yellow eyes and skin and a bleeding liver.

The chorus of the song delivers the main message, as the singer questions why they ever needed to get high in the first place. This leads to reflection on their insecurities and the realization that addiction is not something they need. The final line, "As a Vulcan, I find the need for hard drugs to be totally illogical," adds an interesting reference to the logical, emotionless race from the Star Trek universe, reinforcing the idea that addiction goes against rational thinking.

Overall, the lyrics to "Why" offer a sobering view of addiction and the harmful effects it can have, as well as the questioning and introspection that can come with the decision to stop using.

Line by Line Meaning

They seem to be in a state identical to that curious 20th century earth disease called hard drug abuse.
Observation that someone is exhibiting behaviors consistent with drug addiction.

I had to get high,
Confession that the singer felt compelled to do drugs.

Didn't matter how at the time.
The singer was willing to try any method of drug use.

Dirty needles,
One method the artist used to ingest drugs was intravenous drug use.

Gave me a disease.
The artist contracted a disease as a result of drug use.

Yellow eyes, yellow skin,
Symptoms of liver damage and jaundice caused by drug use.

My liver bleeds!
The singer's liver is severely damaged and bleeding as a result of drug use.

But I don't need it anymore,
The artist has overcome their addiction and no longer feels compelled to use drugs.

And why I ever did before?
The artist is reflecting on why they ever felt the need to use drugs in the first place.

Why? Why?
Repeating the question of why the artist ever used drugs.

All my insecurities.
The singer used drugs as a way to cope with their own personal insecurities.

An escape that led to this disease.
The artist used drugs as a means of escaping their problems, but it ultimately resulted in addiction and disease.

Addiction is something I don't need!
The singer acknowledges that addiction is harmful and they no longer need it in their life.

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Continuing to question why drug addiction became a part of their life.

As a Vulcan, I find the need for hard drugs to be totally illogical
Aside from the song's lyrics, this is a reference to the fictional race of Vulcans in Star Trek who prioritize logic and control their emotions. The line emphasizes the irrationality of drug addiction and highlights the importance of logical decision-making.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOUIS BIANCANIELLO, SAM WATTERS, CHRISTINA CHRISTIAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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