Reagan Youth is a legendary political hardcore punk band from Queens, New York, that embraces the “Anarchy + Peace & Unity” school of thought.

Formed in 1980, Reagan Youth was born out of frustration and resistance as it became clear that Ronald Reagan was set to become the next president of the United States. Lead singer Dave Insurgent and guitarist Paul Cripple created a band that would use satire and raw aggression to attack the systems they saw destroying society — Republicanism, the Religious Right, racism, and of course, Reagan himself.

The band’s name — a play on Hitler Youth — was meant to provoke. It drew a direct comparison between Reagan’s policies and fascist ideology, calling out the authoritarian tendencies of the Republican Party. Their lyrics didn’t just rebel — they exposed, confronted, and challenged.

Dave and Paul started their first punk band, PUS, at Russell Sage Junior High School. After moving on to Forest Hills High School, they met drummer Charlie Tripper, who introduced them to bassist Andy Apathy. Together, they formed the early incarnation of Reagan Youth, aiming to create a loud, fast, anarchist punk band that called out the evils of society.

Their only true roadie — and spiritual guide — was Jack DePalma, Paul’s high school physics teacher. Jack’s influence and support were massive; his quote “What’s Johnny doing out on a Tuesday night?” became the iconic opening line of the song “Degenerated”. Jack DePalma was essential to Reagan Youth in its earliest days, and he should never be forgotten.

As Reagan took office, Dave, Paul, Charlie, and Andy played their first show as Reagan Youth on August 21, 1981, at A7 club. The sound was raw — like The Who’s rhythm section fused with fuzzed-out, feedback-drenched guitar, while Dave delivered his message of anarchy, peace, and unity.

But the original rhythm section couldn’t keep up. Al Pike replaced Andy on bass, and after some rehearsals, Charlie quit and was replaced by Steve Weissman on drums. This new lineup — Dave, Paul, Al, and Steve — became the band’s most stable, tearing through CBGB’s matinee shows and gigs across NYC.

From spring 1983 to spring 1984, they recorded and released their debut 12-inch EP featuring seven blistering tracks.

In 1984, Reagan Youth hit the West Coast for a two-month run, performing at free political festivals alongside Rock Against Racism (R.A.R.). When Steve left for grad school and Al refused to take time off from his mail route, they were replaced by Rick Royale on drums and Victor Venom on bass.

As their music evolved, so did their message — with tracks like “Jesus Was a Communist” and “What Will the Neighbors Think?” pushing their political and philosophical edge further. But by 1985, with Rick gone and the NYC punk scene shifting away from peace punk, Dave and Paul began focusing on a new project: House of God — a band meant to confront organized religion just as Reagan Youth had tackled politics.

As their music evolved, so did their message — with tracks like “Jesus Was a Communist” and “What Will the Neighbors Think?” pushing their political and philosophical edge further. But by 1985, with Rick gone and the NYC punk scene shifting away from peace punk, Dave and Paul began focusing on a new project: House of God — a band meant to confront organized religion just as Reagan Youth had tackled politics.

With Reagan nearing the end of his presidency, Dave and Paul considered one final Reagan Youth show. They reached out to Victor, but he refused, saying he’d never play with Reagan Youth again.

House of God took priority. Alongside Chris Simunek, the new band only played a few shows before Nicky Garratt of New Red Archives approached them to re-release Reagan Youth’s original recordings — but this time as a full-length album.

Dave insisted on including all their unreleased songs. After expanding Volume I with new material like “Anytown,” “No Class,” and “In Dog We Trust,” they moved on to record Volume II. Paul and drummer Johnny Aztec recorded all the music, with Paul playing both guitar and bass. Dave, struggling with addiction, disappeared during the mixing process. When he did show up to record vocals, he promised to return and fix up his parts — but he never got the chance. Hours after tracking vocals, Dave was violently attacked and hospitalized.

Volume II was released as an unmixed demo — raw, unfinished, and misunderstood. Many fans thought the heavier sound was a shift toward metal, but it was simply the result of an unfinished mix.

House of God never materialized. Dave’s wounds — both physical and emotional — never healed.

On July 3, 1993, Dave Insurgent (Rubinstein) tragically took his own life following the deaths of his girlfriend Tiffany Bresciani and his mother Giza Rubinstein, who died just three days apart.

Dave Insurgent: you will always be remembered, always be missed. You were the voice of a movement, and the band will forever be in your debt.

Charlie “Tripper” Bonet never stopped playing drums — keeping the beat going long after his time with Reagan Youth.

In the summer of 2002, Andy “Apathy” Bryan tragically died of an overdose, shortly after reaching out to Paul about reforming the band — a moment filled with hope that quickly turned into heartbreak.

Al Pike never left his day job as a mailman, and Steve Weissman stepped away to become a family man. Props to Steve — without a doubt, the most talented musician Reagan Youth ever had.

Rick “Royale” Griffith vanished after telling friends a drug dealer had pulled a gun on him over unpaid debt. After that, he was never seen or heard from again.

Viktor “Venom” Dominicis, who always preferred guitar to bass, found his true voice playing with bands like Nausea, Chaos U.K., and The Coffin Daggers.

Javier Madariaga, a.k.a. Johnny Aztec, played drums with A.P.P.L.E. for a time and continues to hold out for something big with his former bandmate Jesse Malin — and he’s still waiting.

In 2006, Paul “Cripple” Bakija reformed Reagan Youth, recording new material and touring extensively across the U.S. and Europe. Despite constant lineup changes, Paul remained the heart of the band.

In 2019, he released “Punk Rock Christmas,” his first original song since Volume II.

In 2023, Paul began work on Volume III — a concept album about Dave Insurgent’s life: his beliefs, struggles, love, addiction, and defiance. Joined by singer Beatrice Demesier and drummer Mark Zapata, the album was finished in 2024 while Paul was in hospice at Calvary Hospital.

Paul “Cripple” Bakija passed away on September 21, 2024, after a long battle with cancer.

His work with Reagan Youth left a permanent mark on punk rock. His fight against bigotry, fascism, and political oppression still echoes — and always will.