RKL

RKL

Rich Kids on LSD (RKL) emerged from the Southern California punk scene in the early 1980s. Hailing from Santa Barbara, California the band's original lineup consisted of Jason Sears (vocals), Chris Rest (guitar), Richard "Bomer" Manzullo (drums) and Vinx Peppars (bass). RKL quickly gained a reputation for their high-energy live performances and intricate songs.

Barry Ward joined the band in 1985 preceding the recording of the album "Rock and 
Roll Nightmare". Bass player Joe Raposo joined the band in 1986 elevating their musicianship and live performances to new levels.

Throughout the '80s and '90s, RKL released influential albums such as "Keep Laughing" 
(Mystic), "Rock N Roll Nightmare" (Alchemy) and "Riches to Rags" (Epitaph) with the introduction of Dave Raun on Drums. They became known for blending punk, thrash and classic metal into their blistering music. Their eclectic sound set them apart in the punk landscape, earning them a dedicated fanbase.

The band did two European tours in 1988 and 1989 and recorded "Double Live in
Berlin" (Destiny Records).

After a period of hiatus in the late '90s, RKL made a reappearance with Chris Flippin 
(guitar) and Derrick Plourde (drums).

Richard "Bomer" Manzullo passed away in Dec 2005. Jason Sears passed away in
January 2006.

In 2024, veterans Dave Raun, Chris Rest, Joe Raposo and Barry Ward have been
joined by vocalist Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste). Foresta's distinctive vocals have
injected new life into RKL's dynamic fusion of punk and thrash.

Booking

David Pollack

Ara Walter

Links

Records

Greatest Hits - Live West Berlin 1988