Mike:
One day during my early collegiate years, I determined to write an anthem – a singable, declarative, catchy, nationalistic anthem. Let’s write an anthem. The lyrics, melody, and harmonic structure of the chorus spilled out instantaneously afterward. I laughed and put it away. Then while fooling around during sound check at Flood LA, a joint Korean United Methodist youth retreat, I started singing this chorus. All the pastors and youth counselors laughed and nodded in approval of the tune. That same week, a friend of ours studying at a recording studio asked us if he could record a new song of ours for his school project, and I began writing the lyrics to the verses. The first verse depicts a typical drive home from USC to my home in Arcadia, CA following a long days worth of classes. The ‘SC area has plenty of great taco joints, but none compare to the simplicity and beauty of RKE. The second verse then just lists some of my favorite Southern California foods, and declares them to be inferior to the far greater gustatory sensation of RKE. Then we just get silly by bringing in an opera section. Kevin does amore than commendable job on this new recording, but in that original session at my friend’s school, Operaman himself, Edwin Yu came in and gave us an amazing vocal performance. Unfortunately, Edwin ultimately decided Opera not to be his life calling, which I hope he recognizes one day as a great miscalculation of his talents. Finally, the reggae session… Kevin Kim and I went to Musician’s Institute in Hollywood where we often played reggae guitar for classes and performances. Kevin always wanted to throw in some reggae into a TNB song, and if there ever was an appropriate song, it was RKE.

Descry:
It's a simple formula for Korean life, and a metaphor for our soul.

John:
This song was a joke song that Mike always sang during our early days of the band, but Stephen Lee of FNI did a great job with this. For the bridge, I wanted to expand on the operaman part by adding extra vocal parts to add some counter melodies.

Gilbert:
Lots of cheese. Good cheese.

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Gear used:

Mike-Parker Nite Fly Mahogany solidbody electric (vocals: Shure Beta 58, Vintech X73i, Empirical Labs Distressor)

John-Late 50s Ludwig Transition 14x22 Bass drum (Remo Coated Powerstroke 3 Batter, Remo Coated Emperor Resonant. No Muffling), Yamaha Stage Custom 14x14 Floor (Remo Pinstripe), Shine 7x14 Snare (Remo Vintage A Batter, Remo Ambassador Snare Side), 20" Transition Stamp 50s-60s Zildjian Medium Ride, 16" Zildjian K Constantinople Crash (HH Top), 16" Zildjian A Rock Crash (HH Bottom), Vic Firth 5A, DW 7000 pedal custom

Kevin-mind guitar

Gilbert-Music Man Stingray 5, Markbass F1, SWR Goliath Jr. 210

Descry-an egg, frying pan, Hammond B3, Wurlitzer A200, SoundToys Tremolator & FilterFreak, FXpansion Strobe (a part of the D:CAM Synth Squad bundle)

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Lyrics