Reagan Youth

Reagan Youth

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1980 in Queens, New York City, United States
Founder	Dave Rubinstein (Dave Insurgent), Paul Bakija (Paul Cripple)
Headquarters	Queens, New York City , United States
Products	Music albums, live performances

Reagan Youth was a pioneering American anarcho-punk group, established in early 1980 in Queens, New York City by vocalist Dave Rubinstein (known as Dave Insurgent) and guitarist Paul Bakija (Paul Cripple).

Early Years (1980–1990)

David Rubinstein and Paul Bakija first crossed paths at Russel Sage JrHS before both attended Forest Hills High School, an institution also attended by notable acts such as Simon and Garfunkel and the Ramones. Initially rehearsing under the name Pus with a rotating rhythm section, they adopted the name Reagan Youth shortly prior to their debut performance on August 22, 1980. This lineup included bassist Andy Bryan (Andy Apathy) and drummer Charlie Bonet (Charlie Tripper). Quickly building a dedicated fan base, they performed regularly at Manhattan’s punk venues. Notably, Bakija’s physics teacher became involved with the band, assisting with organizational support for gigs at venues like CBGB's. After laying down a four-track demo in 1981, Bryan departed and was succeeded by Al Pike, while Bonet was replaced by Steve Weissman following a short period with Rubinstein handling drums. The band then signed with the R Radical label.

Their initial release, a seven-song EP titled Youth Anthems for the New Order, propelled Reagan Youth onto national tours and secured their status as regular performers at CBGB's hardcore matinee shows. In 1984, just before embarking on a significant U.S. tour, Pike and Weissman exited; Pike briefly joined Samhain. Their spots were filled by Victor Dominicis (Vic Venom) on bass and Rick Griffith (Rick Royale) on drums, with Javier Madriaga (Johnny Aztec) assuming drumming duties in 1985. Madriaga also contributed to bands such as Lujuria, A.P.P.L.E., and Heart Attack.

Despite robust album sales for a hardcore punk band, relentless touring during the late 1980s took a financial toll on Reagan Youth. Following the conclusion of Ronald Reagan’s presidency in 1989, the group disbanded. However, they secured a two-album contract with punk label New Red Archives. This label reissued Youth Anthems for the New World Order expanded with unreleased tracks under the title Volume 1. In 1990, Bakija (handling guitar and bass), Madriaga, and Rubinstein recorded their last album together, Volume 2.

After Disbandment (1990–2006)

Victor Dominicis went on to play guitar for Nausea, while Bakija, Madriaga, and Rubinstein formed the psychedelic rock ensemble House of God. This project dissolved due to Rubinstein’s worsening substance abuse and health complications. House of God produced a seven-song demo, with an unmixed version accessible online.

By 1990, Rubinstein had become addicted to heroin and occasionally engaged in dealing. Following a violent altercation with another dealer that resulted in hospitalization, he began a relationship with Tiffany Bresciani in 1993; both supported their addictions through prostitution. That same year, Rubinstein suffered another personal tragedy when his mother died in a car accident. Soon after, Bresciani was killed by serial murderer Joel Rifkin while working on Houston Street. Overwhelmed by addiction and grief from these events, Rubinstein took his own life shortly thereafter.

In 1993, New Red Archives released A Collection of Pop Classics, which combined Volume 1 and Volume 2 into a single CD.

In 1998, New Red Archives issued Live & Rare, featuring live performances from early 1980s Reagan Youth shows in New York City with the Pike/Weissman lineup alongside tracks from their original demos. The release included liner notes authored by Pike and Nicky Garratt of British punk band UK Subs.

A planned reunion at CBGB in 2002 involving Bakija, Bryan, and Bonet was ultimately canceled following Bryan’s unexpected fatal heart attack.

Reformation (2006–2024)

In 2006, Reagan Youth was revived by original guitarist Paul Bakija, who reunited with founding members Al Pike on bass and Javier "Johnny Aztec" Madriaga on drums, adding new frontman Pat McGowan, also known as Pat Distraction. Initially intended as a one-time event, this revival soon developed into a series of performances throughout local and regional venues.

By August 2007, the band embarked on the Resurrection Tour, co-headlining with Boston’s hardcore act Mouth Sewn Shut. From 2008 through 2009, Reagan Youth expanded their reach internationally, touring extensively across Germany, Belgium, and other parts of Europe.

Following McGowan's departure in early 2010, the group went on hiatus for roughly a year. They made a comeback later that year with Kenny Young taking over vocal duties, Mike Sabatino on drums, and Dave Manzullo stepping in on bass to replace Pike. The digital single "Lucky 7" was released in 2011. Shortly thereafter, Jim "Diesel" Pepe succeeded Young as vocalist, while Tibbie X joined as bassist, solidifying a stable lineup alongside Bakija.

Further personnel shifts ensued: Paul Rye took over vocals from Diesel; Felipe Torres replaced Sabatino on drums and introduced protégés Stig Whisper (drums) and Trey Oswald (vocals). Following Oswald’s abrupt exit during a Vancouver show, Jeff Penalty (formerly of Dead Kennedys) briefly filled the vocalist role before Rick Contreras (drums) and A.J. DeFeo (vocals) joined the ranks.

Throughout these changes, Bakija continued composing material for a third studio album, collaborating with various vocalists and drummers such as Spike Polite, Kevin Knuckles, Vince Solecito, Charlie Bonet, David Luna, Neil Patterson, and Scott "Stza" Sturgeon of Leftöver Crack. Tibbie X remained a consistent presence on bass.

In 2019, Reagan Youth unveiled their first original track since Volume II titled "Punk Rock Christmas," released through Cleopatra Records.

Work commenced in 2023 on Volume III – Life & Times Revisited, a concept record centered on the late frontman Dave Insurgent’s life story. Bakija was joined by vocalist Madame St. Beatrice and drummer Mark Zapata for this project. The album reached completion in 2024 while Bakija was receiving hospice care at Calvary Hospital.

Paul Bakija succumbed to cancer on September 21, 2024. The posthumous release of Volume III followed on February 28, 2025, distributed by Cleopatra Records.

Lyrical content

Reagan Youth is characterized by its vehemently anarchist, socialist, and anti-racist stance, frequently employing satirical references to Ku Klux Klan and Nazi Party symbolism. During their 1980s era, they spotlighted the connections between Ronald Reagan’s administration policies, the Christian Right, American conservative ideology, and extremist hate organizations. Their eponymous track "Reagan Youth" ironically equates the Young Republicans who supported Reagan with the Hitler Youth, influencing punk bands that critiqued Reagan-era politics. The group communicated leftist viewpoints through irony and provocative hate group imagery featured prominently on their album artwork.

Musical style

Originating from early hardcore/punk crossover roots, Reagan Youth’s sound progressively transcended traditional punk boundaries. Their debut album from 1983 adhered closely to hardcore punk conventions; however, their 1990 follow-up showcased intricate guitar solos, diverse tempo shifts, and experimental sounds reminiscent of Black Sabbath and the album-oriented rock prevalent in the 1970s.

Band members

Past Members

• Dave Rubinstein – lead vocals (1980–1990; deceased 1993)
• Paul (Cripple) Bakija – guitar (1980–1990, 2006–2024; until his passing)
• Andy Bryan – bass guitar (1980–1981; passed away 2002)
• Charlie (Tripper) Bonet – drums (1980–1982, 2019–2021)
• Al Pike – bass guitar (1981–1984, 2006–2011)
• Steve Weissman – drummer (1982–1984)
• Victor Dominicis – bass guitar (1984–1990)
• Rick Griffith – drummer (1984–1985)
• Javier Madriaga – drums (1985–1990, 2006–2010)
• Pat McGowan – lead vocals (2006–2010)
• Kenny Young – guitar and vocals (2010–2012; died 2014)
• Jim "Diesel" Pepe – vocalist (2011–2012)
• Dave Manzullo – bass guitar (2011–2012)
• Mike Sabatino – drums (2010–2012)
• Tibbie X – bass guitar (2012–2024)
• Felipe Torres – drummer (2012–2013)
• Trey Oswald – lead vocals (2012–2015)
• Stig Whisper – drums (2013–2015)
• Jeff Penalty – vocalist (2015)
• Rick Contreras – drums (2015–2016)
• A.J. Delinquent – vocals (2016)
• Max M. – lead vocalist (2016)
• Björn – drummer (2016)
• Kevin Knuckles – drums (2016–2017)
• David Luna – lead vocals (2016–2017)
• Spike Polite – vocalist (2017–2018)
• Vince Sollecito – drummer (2017–2019)
• Neil Patterson – lead vocals (2019–2021)
• Scott Sturgeon – lead vocals (2022–2023)
• Mark Zapata – drums (2022–2024)

Timeline

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Discography

During their original tenure, Reagan Youth issued a single album: Youth Anthems for the New Order (1984). This record was later re-released under the title Reagan Youth (Volume 1) by the independent label New Red Archives in 1989, achieving sales of 40,000 units. Following their disbandment, a second album titled Volume 2 was finalized and made available in 1990. Both albums continue to be accessible on vinyl, accompanied by a CD compilation named A Collection of Pop Classics, which merges tracks from both records. In 1998, a compilation of live performances called Live and Rare was released. After the band reunited, Cleopatra Records introduced the original track “Punk Rock Christmas” in 2019, representing their first new release since Volume 2. Later, in 2025, Cleopatra Records issued Volume III: Life & Times Revisited, a concept album reflecting the life experiences of lead vocalist Dave Insurgent.

CDs and vinyl

• Youth Anthems for the New Order (1984)
• Volume 1 (1989)
• Volume 2 (1990)
• A Collection of Pop Classics (1994)
• Live & Rare (1998)
• Punk Rock New York (2007)
• The Complete Youth Anthems for the New Order 7" box set (2016)
• Volume 3 (2025)

Bootlegs

• Live at CBGBs August 7, 1982
• Live at CBGBs November 20, 1982 (Ratcage Records Benefit)
• Live at CBGBs Vol. One 7"

Appearances

• Hardcore Breakout USA (1990)
• Hardcore Breakout USA Volume 2 (1995)
• The Punk, The Bad & The Ugly (1997)
• At War With Society (1998)
• At War With Society II (1999)
• Mighty Attack (1999)
• Robot Dreams (2023) – soundtrack
• Airheads (1994) – soundtrack
• Shameless, Season 8, Episode 7 – track "USA" (2017)
• Mr. Mercedes, Season 1, Episode 9 – tracks "U.S.A.", "Happy? (Are You)", "Urban Savages", "Anytown", "Acid Rain" (2017)
• Stranger Things, Season 1, Episode 2 – track "Go Nowhere" (2016)
• Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Season 3, Episode 3 – track "Go Nowhere" (2015)
• Justified, Season 1, Episode 1 – track "USA" (2010)
• Fierce People (2005) – tracks "USA" and "In Dog We Trust"
• The Frozen Ground (2013) – track "Heavy Metal Shuffle"
• Gang Land (1998) – tracks "Go Nowhere", "Degenerated", "New Aryans"
• Home Sweet Hoboken (2000) – track "Go Nowhere"
• Forget About Us (2017) – short film – track "Jesus Was a Communist"
• Mom and Dad (2017) – tracks "Anytown" and "Urban Savages"
• The Godfathers of Hardcore (2017) – track "Degenerated"
• Deadly Class (2018), episode "Reagan Youth" – track "I Hate Hate"
• Airheads (1994) – soundtrack – track "Degenerated"

See also

• Ronald Reagan in music

Related links

• Official site
• Reagan Youth on ReverbNation
• Personal blog
• Reagan Youth at New Red Archives (archived)
• Reagan Youth on CDBaby (archived)

• Cleopatra Records – Releases by Reagan Youth