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Chris Rest

Chris Rest (born c. 1967) is an American renowned for his pivotal roles in several influential bands within the genre, including as the sole constant member of (RKL) since the 1980s, and later contributions to and . Originating from the punk scene, Rest has been a professional touring and recording for over four decades, shaping the sound of melodic and through his technical guitar work and live performances. Rest's career began with RKL, a pioneering SoCal punk band formed in the early , where he contributed to key releases such as the album Rock n’ Roll Nightmare and helped preserve the band's legacy by facilitating the 2022 release of the live album Live in a Dive, recorded during a 1989 European tour. His influences include hardcore acts like and Youth Brigade, as well as classic rock elements from bands such as and , which informed RKL's energetic and chaotic style. Despite challenges including the band's temporary disbandment due to members' struggles with —resulting in the deaths of bandmates Bomer Manzullo in 2005 and in 2006—Rest has remained dedicated to RKL's underappreciated contributions to history. In 1997, Rest joined , replacing guitarist and providing rhythm guitar on the band's album Let’s Talk About Feelings, as well as subsequent releases like the 2019 album Railer. This move expanded his footprint in the melodic punk scene, collaborating with Lagwagon's core members including vocalist and drummer Dave Raun. Later, in August 2009, Rest became the guitarist for , succeeding Dave Nassie and participating in tours such as a run that fall, further solidifying his status as a versatile figure in . As of 2025, Rest continues to perform with RKL following their 2024 reunion.

Early life

Upbringing in California

Chris Rest was born around 1967 in , and raised in areas including Ventura, Oxnard, and Goleta before settling in the area around age 10 or 11, where he spent his formative years immersed in the region's vibrant youth culture. This move placed him in Montecito, an affluent suburb of known for its upscale residential character, which later influenced the ironic origins of the band name for (RKL), formed there in 1982. The moniker stemmed from an insult hurled at the young band members during their first party, mocking them as privileged youths unlikely to succeed, a label that stuck after appearing on a flyer. Rest's early environment was deeply tied to Southern California's and emerging scenes, with offering a tight-knit community of vert ramps and local hangouts like Dead Ted's skate spot. These elements shaped his teenage years, blending high-energy skate culture with the raw energy of , as the area hosted a small but influential scene that included early shows at venues like the after some members ventured to . His family's home in the area served as a central gathering point for peers, fostering the social bonds that preceded his musical pursuits. This upbringing in a coastal hub provided the backdrop for Rest's transition into the local music world.

Musical beginnings

Rest's entry into music occurred during his teenage years in the vibrant culture of California, where he immersed himself in the local scene. His parents were musical, with his father playing and his mother teaching . He began playing at age 11 before switching to at 13, honing his skills through dedicated practice and immersion in records without formal instruction. Largely self-taught, this informal process quickly led him to specialize in the raw, high-energy techniques of , emphasizing speed and simplicity over technical virtuosity. Early influences included bands like Led Zeppelin and . A pivotal moment came in the early 1980s when Rest acquired his first from local musician , enabling him to amplify his playing and experiment more seriously. With this setup, he started jamming in casual settings around at age 12 or 13, often using a initially, drawing from the DIY ethos of the community to develop his style. These early sessions were influenced by the burgeoning movement, which emphasized aggressive riffs and fast tempos. Rest's initial collaborations involved local figures like Bomer Manzullo, known as Bomber, whom he met through the skate scene after a injury at a local park, and Jason Sears, a friend from the soccer team, with whom he shared informal music and skate scenes in the area. These interactions often revolved around vert ramps and backyard practices, fostering a sense of camaraderie that shaped his approach to band dynamics. His exposure to the scene culminated in early live experiences, such as opening for influential acts like the Ramones at venues in Santa Barbara, which solidified his commitment to punk's live energy and rebellion.

Career with major bands

Rich Kids on LSD

Chris Rest co-founded (RKL) in 1982 in , alongside vocalist , marking the beginning of his lifelong involvement with the band. As the group's guitarist, Rest remained the only constant member across its various lineups and phases, providing continuity through lineup changes driven by personal and substance-related issues. RKL emerged within the Nardcore punk scene, blending skate punk energy with hardcore intensity, where Rest's guitar work—characterized by technical riffs and influences from bands like and Youth Brigade—helped define the band's chaotic, high-speed sound. The band released four studio albums during its initial run: Keep Laughing (1985), Rock 'n Roll Nightmare (1987), Reactivate (1993), and Riches to Rags (1994), the latter two issued via and showcasing Rest's evolving contributions to tracks like "Betrayed" and "We're Back, We're Pissed." In 2022, a long-recorded live , Live in a Dive—capturing a 1989 performance—was finally released, highlighting the band's raw live energy from its formative era. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, RKL's relentless touring in cramped vans alongside acts like Dr. Know exemplified the gritty realities of the punk circuit, often marked by chaotic schedules and the band's struggles with drug addiction that led to multiple hiatuses. These challenges, including media exclusion from outlets like Maximum Rock n' Roll due to their suburban origins and substance use, underscored the band's underdog status despite its influence on . The group reformed sporadically in the early 2000s, including shows at events like the 2002 , but following the deaths of original drummer Bomer (Richard Manzullo) in December 2005 from and vocalist in January 2006 from complications during drug detoxification treatment in , , the band ceased activities. RKL reunited in 2024, with Rest joined by bassist , drummer Dave Raun, guitarist Barry Ward, and vocalist Tony Brennan (of Municipal Waste), and has since performed live shows as of 2025.

Lagwagon

Chris Rest joined in 1997 as the band's guitarist, replacing following the latter's brief tenure on their album Double Plaidinum. His arrival brought a seasoned background from his foundational role in , helping to solidify the lineup during a transitional period. Rest has been featured on all of Lagwagon's subsequent studio releases, contributing guitar work that shaped their evolving sound. Notable among these are the 1998 album Let's Talk About Feelings, where his interplay with guitarist Chris Flippin added depth to tracks like "To All My Friends" through layered riffs and melodic hooks, and the 2005 release Hang, which showcased denser, fuzz-driven guitar textures on songs such as "After You My Friend." His consistent presence provided touring stability, enabling extensive global performances and lineup cohesion amid the band's intermittent hiatuses. Rest's guitar contributions emphasized Lagwagon's melodic style, blending aggressive riffs with harmonic elements that enhanced Joey Cape's . On Let's Talk About Feelings, his riffs supported the album's emotional intensity, while Hang highlighted his role in crafting heavy, riff-centric arrangements that bridged roots with matured production. This approach helped maintain the band's high-energy live shows, with Rest's technical reliability anchoring decades of tours. As of 2025, Rest remains an active member of , participating in their ongoing international touring schedule, including South American dates and festival appearances that celebrate the band's catalog. His long-term involvement underscores his integral role in the group's enduring legacy.

No Use for a Name

In August 2009, Chris Rest joined as lead guitarist, replacing Dave Nassie who had departed earlier that year to join . The band's label, , announced the addition, noting Rest's background in similar punk scenes through projects like , which facilitated a smooth integration. Frontman praised Rest's technical skill, stating, "I have always thought he was a shredder... He’s very easy to get along with and I think he will add to our sound." Rest provided guitar support during the band's live performances from late 2009 onward, adapting to No Use for a Name's melodic style characterized by intricate guitar lines and humorous, introspective lyrics. The group toured internationally, including dates in and , until Sly's sudden death on July 31, 2012, at age 41 from an accidental overdose of prescription medication and non-prescription drugs. Sly's passing marked the end of No Use for a Name, as confirmed by surviving members who stated the band was "done" following a final performance. In reflections shared after Sly's death, Rest described the experience as profoundly impactful, highlighting the band's exceptional talent and the close bonds formed during tours across , , , and . He noted Sly's humor and intelligence, saying, "Tony is one of the funniest and smartest people I’ve ever known. His talent was always obvious." Post-dissolution, Rest participated in tribute activities, including a 2012 performance at the Envol & Macadam Festival in Québec alongside bandmates , Boz Rivera, Dave Nassie, and Rory Koff, featuring guest vocalists on No Use for a Name hits. Additionally, he contributed a cover of "Discomfort Inn" to the 2013 tribute album The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute released by .

Other musical projects

The Other

In 1996, guitarist Chris Rest formed the side project The Other alongside bassist and vocalist Bomer Manzullo—whom Rest had known from earlier musical endeavors—and drummer Boz Rivera. The trio drew from their shared California punk roots to create a raw, energetic sound blending punk and rock elements. The band's only release was its self-titled debut album, issued in 1997 on Honest Don's Records, where Rest's agile guitar riffs anchored the 11-track effort. Standout songs like "Haight Street Girl" evoked the gritty vibe of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, reflecting the group's connections to the Bay Area's vibrant punk scene during the mid-1990s. Other tracks, such as "Once And For All" and "Blood On Your Hands," highlighted the band's punchy, no-frills approach to songwriting and performance. Though critically overlooked at the time, The Other remains a cult favorite among enthusiasts for its concise, high-energy execution, but the project dissolved shortly after the album's release, with members shifting focus to their main bands.

King City

Chris Rest joined King City, a San Francisco-based band active in the mid-2000s, where he contributed to the group's recordings. Formed as a collaborative project among Bay Area musicians, the band featured Rest alongside former (RKL) members on bass and Boz Rivera on drums, forging direct ties to the region's heritage. This lineup underscored King City's affiliations, drawing from the participants' established backgrounds in and melodic acts. Rest's guitar work on the band's debut album The Last Siesta, in December 2006 and released in 2007 by Antebellum Records, aligned with his signature punk-infused style of rapid, energetic riffs while exploring eclectic instrumental arrangements. The album, featuring tracks like "Baliwood" and "Trinidad," highlighted the band's approach, blending Latin rhythms and percussion with elements, yet retained the raw edge characteristic of Rest's prior contributions to the scene. King City made an impact on the local music landscape through its performances at venues such as Café du Nord, fostering connections within the broader Bay Area community via shared personnel and influences from labels like . Although no major tours are documented, the band's output and regional shows exemplified Rest's ongoing commitment to collaborative projects in the ecosystem during this period.

Collaborations and guest appearances

Throughout his career, Chris Rest has made notable one-off contributions to various punk and ska-punk projects, often leveraging his technical guitar skills within the broader California punk scene. One early guest appearance came in 1996, when he played guitar on Buck Wild's debut album Beat Me Silly, a pop-punk release on Lobster Records that featured fast-paced, melodic tracks emblematic of mid-1990s West Coast punk. In 2001, provided a guitar solo on the track "" from ' album Rock the Plank, adding his distinctive riffing to the band's ska- fusion sound on . That same year, he contributed guitar to Hotbox's Lickity Split, a high-energy record produced by , where Rest's playing supported the band's raw, aggressive style across multiple tracks. Rest's collaborations extended into the late 2000s with appearances on ' 2008 celtic punk album Off the Leash, where he is credited as a performer, enhancing the record's blend of and energy. Also in 2008, he recorded a for the song "Stroudsburg" on I Know the Struggle's self-titled debut, a effort that highlighted Rest's ability to deliver concise, impactful leads in underground scenes. These guest spots underscore Rest's ties to the Fat Wreck Chords network and broader punk community, including later contributions like additional vocals on Scheisse Minnelli's 2011 punk album The Fight Against Reality.

Guitar instruction and later activities

Teaching career

After more than 25 years as a professional touring musician and recording artist with bands including Lagwagon, No Use for a Name, and Rich Kids on LSD, Chris Rest began offering guitar instruction around 2008. Rest provides personalized one-on-one lessons via platforms such as and , catering to students of all styles and skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. His extensive professional background enables a practical approach that emphasizes real-world application, drawing directly from his experiences in high-energy and extensive road work. In addition to private sessions, Rest shares instructional content on , including detailed breakdowns of guitar techniques from his catalog, such as the introductory riff to Rich Kids on LSD's "Scab on My Brain," released in 2025. These resources complement his lessons by offering accessible, self-paced learning opportunities focused on and rock guitar elements.

Recent endeavors

In recent years, Chris Rest has continued to perform and tour extensively with , including their 2025 tour across and . The tour, which kicked off in early October 2025, featured sold-out shows in nine cities across seven countries, such as , , [São Paulo](/page/São Paulo), , , , , and , marking the band's return to the region after over a decade. Performances highlighted fan favorites like "Violins" and "Razor Burn," with Rest contributing his signature guitar work to the high-energy sets. Rest has also been involved in the reunion of (RKL), announced in January 2024 with a core lineup of Rest on guitar, Barry Ward on guitar, on bass, and Dave Raun on drums, initially joined by vocalist of Municipal Waste. In late 2024, Abe Brennan replaced Foresta as vocalist to honor the band's legacy following the death of original singer . The reunion included a club show at Punk Rock Bowling in in May 2024, as well as a special live stream from their sold-out California tour that same month. In 2025, RKL's activities expanded with a short U.S. tour, featuring performances at Ventura Music Hall in March—celebrated as a homecoming for the Santa Barbara punk legends—and at Punk in the Cow Palace in Daly City in May, where the band delivered thrashy sets including "Scab on My Brain" and "Think Positive." In March 2025, RKL toured Europe, further extending their revival. Looking ahead, and are set to tour and in early 2026 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their 1995 Hoss, with dates including festivals like Froth and Fury Fest in . This follows the 2022 release of RKL's archival live Live in a Dive, recorded in 1989 and remastered by Rest, which captured the band's early high-octane sound from a European show.

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