I just came across a proof sheet from a roll of photos taken a few years ago at a punk reunion in L.A. and I thought I'd share this one with you. Rik L. Rik, for those of you who don't know, was one of those kids who was around in the earliest days of the L.A. punk scene with his band F-Word, who played at the Masque on a regular basis. I'm sure that members of F-Word were in the audience at the "Trashing of the Troubadour" Bags show and someone told me that they were literally hanging from the rafters of the balcony. F-Word was one of the more aggressive punk bands and they got along well with the Bags. I had some rare video footage of them at the Masque in my archives, but had to take it down because the copyright owners did not want it posted. Too bad.
He later sang with other bands, including Negative Trend and recorded under his own name for Posh Boy Records. He was one of the most charismatic lead singers and there's little doubt that, given the right circumstances, he had the talent, looks and ability to become a big star.
Unfortunately, Rik passed away in 2000, less than a year after this photo was taken. He had not yet turned 40. Another friend who left us too soon.
10 comments:
I didn't know he'd died. I really liked the solo Rik L. Rik material on Posh Boy; he had his own sound. Wish he'd made it further, because like you say he could have made a bigger splash.
Rik was a very close friend of mine. I actually put together 2 of the last F-WORD shows ever, 1 at the whisky with the Gears, Skull Control and Bikey (Holly & The Italians!). And the 2nd one down at Bogarts (I actually have it all on video!& Track 16 too!) which was amazing! Rik was starting get some recognition from alot of younger kids (13-18 year olds!!) and DIM wanted to play shows again so RIK, DIM and Dutch reformed F-WORD and the rest was history.
As for Rik's passing? All I can say is that LA/OC scene lost a true original,and will NEVER be the same now that he is gone. He was very talented, with tons of karizma. He was the nicest guy on (all) levels with a quick wit/sense of humor that set him above most of his peers!!!! And he was always open and sincere. Even when he was busy/ and sick!, he always made time for his friends!!!
God Bless you Rik L Rik.......
Your friend,
Steven Rascoe
Somewhere, ages ago, I read about Rik's passing, and after finding this site this memory came a-flooding back:
I was about 15 years old and a drama geek at Covina High School. Somehow, (I'm fuzzy, but I think Ian MacDonnell may have had a hand in it) Rik dropped into our drama class and performed a couple of his poems for the class and POW!
What an impression he made on me. I thought he was the most fantastic piece of kit I had ever seen.
I seem to remember that he had a single out on Covina High Records. That was impressive as well.
I wish I had been old enough to venture out into the clubs in those days. As it happened, I only made it out to the Golden Bear once and saw The Lenny White Band. Pretty exciting stuff for an under-ager like me.
I later moved to Seattle where I cut my teeth on a healthy music scene, and will always always see X when they come through. They are like a musical anchor for me and what I'm sure would have been an exciting life of musical fun had I stayed in L.A..
Thanks for the picture of Rik.
I'm tremendously mad that you couldn't post that footage, I would have loooooooooved to see that.
Rik L Rik and F-Word are great, and it's very very sad that he's gone now. RIP
psst... go here:
www.alicebag.com/media
and look around but don't tell nobody...
Rik was an amazing poet and author. love you always, Elerick.
Hey, it's been awhile since anyone posted.. But I found a really great EP on iTunes by Garbage Hearts, which Rik was a part of! It's really great stuff, which also features Rikk Agnew of the Adolescents! I was browsing around and found Posh Boy released Rik's 'Lost Album' digitally, but with a ton of demos, unreleased songs.. Of course songs like 'The Outback', 'Teenage Destiny' are on it as well. 'The Lost Album' was released in '91? I think, but only in LP format and I've yet to come across a copy. Anyway, I really enjoy the blog and am very grateful for everyone who keeps this music alive (especially for the people who weren't around.. or even born! 1986 for me).
-Brian
I was out with my gay friend Tom. He even commented on the looks of Rik L. Rik. I think we were at Madame Wongs or Club 88, but no one knew where they were most of the time back then. I mustered my best manners and approached Rik L. Rik and asked him for an autograph. I'm 6'5" so initially he wasn't sure what was going on. I told him i had the white vinyl single of "Meathouse." He said, OK do you have any paper? And Tom had a small piece of paper. Rik put the paper on my back and wrote "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men." It wasn't Christmas, either. Loved your shows too Alice.
Alice,
Thank you for the blog entry.
Thanks also go to Brian and his generous comments on the digitally re-issued "Lost Album", 10 years in the making.
After Rik passed away numerous people claimed they had physical possession of unreleased Rik recordings. With the notable exception of Eric Ambel, nobody sent me anything. The Garbage Hearts had actually gone ahead and released their L Rik material and very kindly allowed me to cherry pick and edit a remarkable song entitled "Unfree".
So who was it that objected to the video you posted? Are you sure they are an actual rights owner and not one of the parasitical Rik relic hoarders?
Robbie Fields
Posh Boy Music
Covina High Music
THX For Article/Sharing!
I really do NOT believe
people are familiar with
NEGATIVE TREND
which will always deeply effect me:
Musically & Politically!
Please, anyone still coming across this Blog:
LISTEN to NEGATIVE TREND
And, PROMOTE The Band!
NEGATIVE TREND truly created a Genre & Influenced 1,0000s of Band!
MEATHOUSE 7”
The first in which Rik L Rik was to release with Band:
“I just got back from the meathouse, they got all our lovers hanging there. I took a look into the meathouse, they package all our heroes there”.
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