Reagan Youth

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Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use mdy dates Template:Refimprove Template:Infobox musical artist Reagan Youth was an American anarcho-punk band formed by singer Dave Rubinstein (Dave Insurgent) and guitarist Paul Bakija (Paul Cripple) in Queens, New York City in early 1980.

History

Initial career (1980–1990)

David Rubinstein and Paul Bakija met in Russel Sage JrHS and together attended Forest Hills High School, the same high school Simon and Garfunkel and the Ramones attended when they began. After rehearsals under the name Pus with a varying rhythm section, the group changed its name to Reagan Youth shortly before playing its first gig on August 22, 1980, with bassist Andy Bryan (Andy Apathy) and drummer Charlie Bonet (Charlie Tripper). Reagan Youth quickly gained a following and were soon playing the punk clubs of Manhattan. Bakija's physics teacher at FHHS attended a Queens basement rehearsal. And he then attended a show at CBGB's; where once he had his head shaved; he became associated with the band at times hauling Paul's amps and equipment into the city from Queens in his Dodge Dart.<ref name="New Red Archives bio">Template:Cite web</ref> After the band recorded a four-song demo in 1981, Bryan was replaced by Al Pike. Bonet departed soon after; after the band briefly rehearsed with Rubinstein filling in on drums, Steve Weissman joined full-time. They signed to the R Radical imprint.

After graduation and the release of their first record, the seven-song Youth Anthems for the New Order EP, they began touring nationally and were regulars at the Sunday afternoon hardcore matinee shows at CBGB. In 1984, prior to a significant US tour, Pike and Weissman left the group, with Pike going on to join a formative version of Glenn Danzig's group Samhain briefly around this time. They were replaced by Victor Dominicis (Vic Venom) and Rick Griffith (Rick Royale) respectively. Griffith was later replaced in 1985 by Javier Madriaga (Johnny Aztec), who has also played drums in Lujuria, A.P.P.L.E., and Heart Attack.

By the late 1980s the extensive touring had taken its toll on the group. Despite the many shows played and the relatively large album sales for a hardcore punk band, they continually found themselves broke. After Ronald Reagan left office in 1989, the band split up. Despite their decision to disband, the group attracted the attention of the burgeoning punk label New Red Archives, with whom they signed a two-album deal. New Red Archives first re-released Youth Anthems for the New World Order with three additional outtakes as the Volume 1 LP. In 1990, Bakija (playing both guitar and bass), Madriaga, and Rubinstein recorded a final album, Volume 2.

Post-breakup (1990–2006)

Dominicis went on to play guitar in Nausea while Bakija, Madriaga, and Rubinstein continued making music together, briefly performing in a psychedelic rock group called House of God that was derailed by Rubinstein's increasing drug and health problems.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> House of God recorded a 7-song demo, an unmixed version of which can be found online.

By 1990 Rubinstein had become a heroin user and occasional dealerTemplate:Citation needed. In a conflict with another dealer, he was severely beaten with a baseball bat, requiring weeks of hospitalization. In 1993 he began dating Tiffany Bresciani, who supported both of their drug habits by prostitution.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> This same year, Rubinstein's mother was killed in a car accident. Soon after, he and Bresciani were on Houston Street looking for customers and drugs. A familiar customer in a truck hired Bresciani and the two of them disappeared. A few days later, police on Long Island stopped the same truck and discovered Bresciani's slain body in the back. The driver was Joel Rifkin, later convicted as a serial killer responsible for the murder of several sex workers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Despondent over his continuing drug addiction and the loss of his girlfriend and mother, Rubinstein committed suicide shortly thereafter.<ref name="blogs.villagevoice.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

This same year, New Red Archives issued A Collection of Pop Classics, which collected both Volume 1 and Volume 2 on a single CD.

In 1998, New Red Archives released Live & Rare, a CD compiling highlights from New York City-area Reagan Youth sets from the early 1980s with the Pike/Weissman lineup, along with tracks from the band's initial demo and a brief demo for Volume 2. Pike and New Red Archives owner Nicky Garratt, also the guitarist for the British band the UK Subs, contributed liner notes for this release.

In 2002, plans for a reunion set at CBGB featuring Bakija, Bryan and Bonet were shattered by Bryan's sudden, fatal heart attack. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Reformation (2006–2024)

In 2006, founding member, guitarist Paul Bakija reformed Reagan Youth with original members Al Pike (bass) and Javier "Johnny Aztec" Madriaga (drums), alongside new vocalist Pat McGowan (a.k.a. Pat Distraction). Initially intended as a one-off performance, the reunion soon “took on a life of its own,” with the band continuing to perform locally and regionally.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In August 2007, they launched the Resurrection Tour with Boston hardcore band Mouth Sewn Shut.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Between 2008 and 2009, Reagan Youth toured internationally, including shows in Germany, Belgium, and across Europe.<ref name="ArtistWiki" />

After McGowan's departure in early 2010, the band was inactive for about a year. They reemerged in late 2010 with a new lineup: Kenny Young on vocals, Mike Sabatino on drums, and Dave Manzullo on bass (replacing Pike due to health concerns). In 2011, the band released the digital-only single "Lucky 7." Soon after, Jim "Diesel" Pepe replaced Young, and Tibbie X joined as bassist, becoming a consistent member alongside Bakija.<ref name="ArtistWiki" />

Lineup changes continued over the following years. Paul Rye succeeded Diesel on vocals. Drummer Mike Sabatino was later replaced by Felipe Torres, who brought in students Stig Whisper (drums) and Trey Oswald (vocals). After Oswald abruptly left mid-performance in Vancouver, the group briefly included Jeff Penalty (formerly of Dead Kennedys) on vocals and Rick Contreras on drums, followed by A.J. DeFeo on vocals.<ref name="ArtistWiki" />

Bakija continued writing material for a third studio album and performed with various vocalists and drummers, including Spike Polite, Kevin Knuckles, Vince Solecito, Charlie Bonet, David Luna, Neil Patterson, and Scott "Stza" Sturgeon of Leftöver Crack. Tibbie X remained a constant member on bass throughout this period.<ref name="ArtistWiki" />

In 2019, Cleopatra Records released "Punk Rock Christmas," Reagan Youth's first original song since Volume II.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2023, Bakija began work on Volume III – Life & Times Revisited, a concept album about the life of late frontman Dave Insurgent. He was joined by vocalist Madame St. Beatrice and drummer Mark Zapata. The album was completed in 2024 while Bakija was in hospice at Calvary Hospital.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Bakija died of cancer on September 21, 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Volume III was released posthumously on February 28, 2025, via Cleopatra Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Music

Lyrical content

Reagan Youth is an aggressively anarchist, socialist, and anti-racist band, and often utilized Ku Klux Klan and Nazi Party imagery for satirical effect. In their original 1980s incarnation, they sought to address the parallels between the policies of Ronald Reagan, the Christian Right and American conservatism, and the beliefs of the hate groups.<ref name="New Red Archives bio" /> Their self-titled song, "Reagan Youth", uses a tongue-in-cheek rhetoric to draw parallels between Young Republicans who rallied to the cause of Ronald Reagan, and the Hitler Youth of Nazi Germany, ushering in an era of songs about Ronald Reagan in American punk music. The band expressed its left-wing politics through irony, using images from hate groups for their album/CD covers.

Musical style

Musically, the band was firmly rooted in the early hardcore/punk crossover tradition, but moved deeper into waters uncharted by their punk rock contemporaries as their career progressed. While their 1983 debut is an accomplished work squarely in keeping with hardcore punk convention, their 1990 followup features dense guitar work replete with solos and overdubs, diversified tempos and several sonic experiments, leading it to draw comparisons to Black Sabbath and 1970s album-oriented rock.

Band members

Template:Main

Former members

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

Template:Div-col-end

Timeline

<timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:50 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1980 till:09/21/2024 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors = 

 id:Vocals         value:red         legend:Vocals
 id:Guitars        value:green     legend:Guitars
 id:Bass            value:blue       legend:Bass
 id:Drums         value:orange   legend:Drums
 id:Studio         value:black     legend:Studio albums

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1980 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1981

LineData = 

 at:07/01/1984 color:Studio layer:back
 at:01/01/1990 color:Studio layer:back

BarData = 

 bar:Dave      text:"Dave Rubinstein"
 bar:Pat        text:"Pat McGowan"
 bar:Kenny    text:"Kenny Young"
 bar:Jim       text:"Jim Diesel"
 bar:Trey      text:"Trey Oswald"
 bar:Jeff        text:"Jeff Penalty"
 bar:AJ         text:"A.J. Delinquent"
 bar:Spike    text:"Spike Polite"
 bar:NeilP    text:"Neil P"
 bar:Paul     text:"Paul Bakija"
 bar:Andy     text:"Andy Bryan"
 bar:Al         text:"Al Pike"
 bar:Victor   text:"Victor Dominicis"
 bar:Dave2   text:"Dave Manzullo"
 bar:Tibbie   text:"Tibbie X"
 bar:Charlie  text:"Charlie Bonet"
 bar:Steve    text:"Steve Weissman"
 bar:Rick      text:"Rick Griffith"
 bar:Javier    text:"Javier Madriaga"
 bar:Mike     text:"Mike Sabatino"
 bar:Felipe   text:"Felipe Torres"
 bar:Stig       text:"Stig Whisper"
 bar:Rick2    text:"Rick Contreras"
 bar:Vince    text:"Vince Sollecito"

PlotData= 

 width:11 textcolor:red align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
 bar:Dave      from:01/01/1980 till:02/01/1990 color:Vocals
 bar:Pat         from:10/01/2006 till:03/01/2010 color:Vocals
 bar:Kenny    from:03/01/2010 till:07/01/2011 color:Vocals
 bar:Kenny    from:03/01/2010 till:07/01/2011 color:Guitars width:3
 bar:Jim         from:07/15/2011 till:07/01/2012 color:Vocals
 bar:Trey       from:11/01/2012 till:04/01/2015 color:Vocals
 bar:Jeff        from:04/01/2015 till:12/31/2015 color:Vocals
 bar:AJ          from:01/01/2016 till:12/31/2016 color:Vocals
 bar:Spike      from:01/01/2017 till:12/31/2018 color:Vocals
 bar:NeilP      from:01/01/2019 till:end color:Vocals
 bar:Paul       from:01/01/1980 till:02/01/1990 color:Guitars
 bar:Paul       from:09/01/1989 till:02/01/1990 color:Bass width:3
 bar:Paul       from:10/01/2006 till:end               color:Guitars
 bar:Andy      from:01/01/1980 till:06/01/1981 color:Bass
 bar:Al          from:06/01/1981 till:10/01/1984  color:Bass
 bar:Al          from:10/01/2006 till:04/01/2011 color:Bass
 bar:Victor    from:10/01/1984 till:09/01/1989 color:Bass
 bar:Dave2    from:02/01/2011 till:07/01/2012 color:Bass
 bar:Tibbie    from:07/01/2012 till:end               color:Bass
 bar:Charlie   from:01/01/1980 till:06/01/1982 color:Drums
 bar:Charlie    from:01/01/2019 till:end color:Drums
 bar:Steve      from:06/01/1982 till:10/01/1984 color:Drums
 bar:Rick       from:10/01/1984 till:08/01/1985 color:Drums
 bar:Javier     from:08/01/1985 till:02/01/1990 color:Drums
 bar:Javier     from:10/01/2006 till:05/01/2010 color:Drums
 bar:Mike      from:05/01/2010 till:07/01/2012 color:Drums
 bar:Felipe    from:07/01/2012 till:07/01/2013 color:Drums
 bar:Stig       from:07/01/2013 till:07/01/2015 color:Drums
 bar:Rick2     from:07/01/2015 till:07/01/2016              color:Drums
 bar:Vince    from:05/01/2017 till:01/01/2019 color:Drums

</timeline>

Discography

Reagan Youth released only one album during their existence as a band (in 1984); originally titled Youth Anthems for the New Order, it was re-released as Reagan Youth (Volume 1) by the small independent label New Red Archives in 1989. This album eventually sold 40,000 copies. A second album, titled Volume 2, was completed and released in 1990, after the official breakup of the band. Both are still available on vinyl, as well as a CD titled A Collection of Pop Classics that combines both records. A collection of live recordings was issued in 1998 as Live and Rare. During the band’s reformation years, Cleopatra Records released the Reagan Youth original song “Punk Rock Christmas” in 2019, marking the group’s first new material since Volume 2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2025, the label released Volume III: Life & Times Revisited, a concept album based on the life of frontman Dave Insurgent.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

CDs and vinyl

Bootlegs


Appearances

See also

References

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Further reading

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Template:Reagan Youth

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