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)
Will to Survive
RKL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Until one summer day turned out so sad(why's this lesson filled with pain?)
It was the loss of a lifetime, the loss of my friend(one day here and the next day gone)
Left so many in pain, asking, "Why did it end?"(?Now it's time that we give you song?)
I remember well the day in which you and I first met,
So young and naive, both saw the world as ours to conquer rule then wreck.
Now holding clear forever
All of the time you spent with me
You touched my mind!
You touched my heart!
Now growing faster together
Soon we would become the best of friends,
Two joined as one forever brothers up until the bitter end.
The paths we chose so different yet the same,
In each and every way
But then you left with no good-bye,
You just got up and walked away.
It wasn't fair,
You should have said good-bye,
I'll be back right away,
Or that I'm sorry but it's fate,
And I'll see you another day.
I loved you!
Will this loss teach us or when will they learn?(I always wondered if you'd be around)
Will it open the eyes of those next in turn?(disappeared without a sound)
I hope it will teach most of the others to look,(cherish each and every day)
Real hard at their lives and the chances they took(?blind? so easily you slip away)
So many questions, no answers in sight(?A warm July day? turned to rain)
Brought to end quickly one summer night(Why's this lesson filled with pain?)
Why must this lesson be covered in pain(one day here, and the next day gone)
A warm July day suddenly turned into rain!(?Now it's time that we give you song?)
Will Mo!
The lyrics to RKL's song "Will to Survive" tell the story of the loss of a friend and the pain and questions that come with it. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about past memories with their friend, both good and bad, and how one summer day turned into a tragic, sad event. The loss of their friend left many in pain, questioning why it had to end. The singer remembers the day they first met and how their friend touched their mind and heart, helping them see the world in a new way.
As the song continues, the singer expresses their sadness that their friend left without saying goodbye, leaving them with many unanswered questions. They wonder if this loss will teach others to appreciate each day and to cherish the chances they take. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "a warm July day suddenly turned into rain," highlighting the suddenness and unexpected nature of their friend's departure.
Overall, the lyrics of "Will to Survive" explore the themes of loss, grief, and the importance of appreciating the people in our lives while we can.
Line by Line Meaning
Millions of memories of good times and bad(?A warm July day? turned to rain)
The singer remembers the millions of good and bad memories spent with their friend. They refer to a specific summer day that turned from warm to rainy.
Until one summer day turned out so sad(why's this lesson filled with pain?)
The singer reflects on how one summer day turned out painfully sad, and wonders why this lesson they have to learn is filled with pain.
It was the loss of a lifetime, the loss of my friend(one day here and the next day gone)
The singer considers the loss of their friend as the biggest loss of their lifetime and reflects on how their friend was present one day, and gone the next.
Left so many in pain, asking, 'Why did it end?'(?Now it's time that we give you song?)
The loss of the artist's friend left many in pain, asking why it had to end. The artist now feels like it's time to give their friend a song.
I remember well the day in which you and I first met,
So young and naive, both saw the world as ours to conquer rule then wreck.
The artist remembers the day they first met their friend and how they were both young and naive, and thought the world was theirs to conquer and rule.
Now holding clear forever
All of the time you spent with me
You took me in and made me see what I now see.
The singer reflects on how the time spent with their friend has become a clear memory, and how their friend helped them see things that they now see.
You touched my mind!
You touched my heart!
Now growing faster together
Soon we would become the best of friends,
Two joined as one forever brothers up until the bitter end.
The singer reflects on how their friend touched their mind and their heart, and how they grew closer together to become the best of friends, two brothers joined as one until the end.
The paths we chose so different yet the same,
In each and every way
But then you left with no good-bye,
You just got up and walked away.
The artist reflects on how they and their friend chose different paths but were similar in every way. However, their friend left without saying goodbye and just walked away.
It wasn't fair,
You should have said good-bye,
I'll be back right away,
Or that I'm sorry but it's fate,
And I'll see you another day.
I loved you!
The artist reflects on how it wasn't fair that their friend left without saying goodbye. They wished their friend had said something before leaving, and they express their love for them.
Will this loss teach us or when will they learn?(I always wondered if you'd be around)
Will it open the eyes of those next in turn?(disappeared without a sound)
I hope it will teach most of the others to look,
Real hard at their lives and the chances they took(?blind? so easily you slip away)
The artist wonders if this loss will teach them or when others will learn. They hope that it will open the eyes of others, and make them look at their lives and the chances they take so that they don't slip away as easily.
So many questions, no answers in sight(?A warm July day? turned to rain)
Brought to end quickly one summer night(Why's this lesson filled with pain?)
Why must this lesson be covered in pain(one day here, and the next day gone)
A warm July day suddenly turned into rain!(?Now it's time that we give you song?)
The singer reflects on how there are so many questions and no answers in sight, and how this lesson is filled with pain. They ponder why this lesson has to be covered in pain, and how a warm July day suddenly turned into rain. They also reiterate that it's now time to give their friend a song.
Contributed by Isabelle L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.