Rich Kids on LSD
RKL was started in 1983 in Santa Barbara. Their debut album was Keep Laughing(Mystic) released in 1985. It came out after they released an EP entitled It's A Beautiful Feeling(Mystic) in 1984. There sound has been described as "hurtling NOFX meets Motorhead slamcore... the line between SoCal punk rock and thrash metal has never been finer (New Musical Express 2/18/95, p.51.) In May 1987 they recorded Rock N Roll Nightmare at S.N.M. Studios, Santa Barbara, Ca. It had some classic tunes like One Light One Mind, Sargasm, Scab On My Brain, and Tribute To The Jester. This album was originally released on Alchemy Records, but was remastered and re-released in 6 years later on Epitaph. RKL's first original album with Epitaph was Reactivate in 1993. They were signed to Epitaph as Slang, not RKL. Bomber and Brett Gurewitz decided to call the album RKL at the last minute. Bomber did the vocals and wrote or co-wrote most of the songs while Dave Raun joined to play the drums. Bomber left the band during their European tour supporting Reactivate. Jason Sears came back aboard to finish the tour and sing when RKL recorded their, in my opinion, best and last album, Riches to Rags. Recorded from July to August 1994, this was the album that re-launched them back to their hardcore/punk roots. Unfortunately, RKL separated in '96. Chris Rest and Bomber formed The Other with current Mad Caddies drummer Boz Rivera, releasing a self-titled album on Honest Don's Snug Fitting Trousers. Dave Raun and Chris Rest now play in Lagwagon. Raun also plays in a band called Me First and The Gimme Gimmes, and recently filled in temporarily on drums for Good Riddance. Joe Raposo now works as a Software Analyst for Sony Computer Entertainment of America and has for the past two years. Barry D'live plays in a band called Hotbox(voted Best Local Punk Band, beating out both Green Day and the Swingin' Utters) and fronts a band called The Crosstops. He also played guitar for Me First And The Gimme Gimmes on their first American tour. Jason Sears recently laid down vocals on a track for a Snot tribute album for their late lead singer Lynn Strait.
Band Lineup 1984:
Jason Sears - Vocals Chris Rest - Guitar Alpo - Guitar Vince Peppars - Bass Bomber Manzullo- Drums Band Lineup 1985-1986?(Not sure when Vince left):
Jason Sears - Vocals Chris Rest - Guitar Vince Peppars - Bass Bomber Manzullo- Drums Band Lineup 1987:
Jason Sears - Vocals Chris Rest - Guitar Barry D'live - Guitar Bomber Manzullo- Bass Bomber Manzullo- Drums
Band Lineup 1987-90: Jason Sears - Vocals Chris Rest - Guitar Barry D'live - Guitar Joe Raposo - Bass Bomber Manzullo- Drums
Band Lineup 1991-1993 (Slang/Reactivate): Bomber Manzullo - Vocals Chris Rest - Guitar Barry D'live - Guitar Joe Raposo - Bass Dave Raun - Drums
Band Lineup 1994-1995: Jason Sears - Vocals Chris Rest - Guitar Barry D'live - Guitar Joe Raposo - Bass Dave Raun - Drums