March 5th, 10 years ago.
During the reformation years Reagan Youth played alongside bands like Dead Kennedys and Paul (@PaulBakija) thought it was interesting that both bands didn’t have their original singers present and was able to pack a venue.
#ReaganYouthReformationYears
#FBF
The newly reissued Reagan Youth Volume II will be available April 10th as a Limited Edition Black & White Splatter Vinyl LP.
cleorecs.com/search?q=reaga…
REMINDER: The Reagan Youth Crucifix Zipper Hoodie and the “God and Country” Tote Bag, along with other Reagan Youth merch — including the VOLUME III album — are available at the Cleopatra Records website WWW.CLEORECS.COM. Calling all hardcore punk rock supporters and music lovers — check it out!
“A reality is being created. It’s brainwashing, and that’s what’s happening here. You’re conditioned from day one for hot dogs, America, for this is our country, freedom, kill communists.” When asked whether he thought anyone understood the message, he said, “I don’t think so.”
At a Reagan Youth gig at the Mudd Club in 1982, Dave Insurgent read a passage from the book Brave New World. When he was asked why he chose to do that, he replied: “It’s about how kids are being brainwashed from birth.”
📸: Amie Hertzig
One of the many times the band’s name was misspelled. Paul (@paulbakija) always mentioned how much Dave Insurgent hated when his band’s name was spelled wrong. February 12, 1982, at Duffy’s, NY, NY
Reagan Youth at the Rock Hotel (Nights @ the Ritz, now Webster Hall), NYC, 1985. One of two shows RY played promoted by Chris Williamson, who booked many key NYHC bands in the ’80s. You can read all about it in NYHC: New York Hardcore 1980–1990. 📸: Unkown
“Amerikkka spends more on law enforcement then any county spends on their armed forces because Amerikkka would cease to exist if it didn’t have a standing army ready and set to go at any moment’s notice.”
— Paul Bakija
“Reagan Youth is for unity.
We rebel constructively with a purpose. When we talk about revolution it’s not so much revolution of government, it’s internal revolution. We destroy something to create something.” - Dave Insurgent
Reagan Youth @ CBGB, New York, NY, 1982
📸: Karen O’ Sullivan
“When the album was released, I shied away because it was too emotionally heavy for me to deal with. Nonetheless, Reagan Youth Vol. III: “Life & Times Revisited” came out in February 2025. Some of U dig it, & some of U don’t dig it at all, & I’m fine with that, art is art”
Pictured at the Denver State Capitol on July 8, 1984, is Rick Royale (a.k.a. Rick Griffith) holding Paul Cripple’s guitar. Royale was Reagan Youth’s third drummer, joining in 1984 alongside Victor Venom for a West Coast R.A.R. tour. Likely his only clear close-up.
⛓️💥: www.reagan-youth.com
Just dropped: NEW Anarchy Crucifix long-sleeves & tees, NEW Volume I tote bags, vinyl, CDs, and more. Shop now → CLEORECS.COM
#Throwback
Throughout Reagan Youth’s reformation years (2006–2024), Paul Cripple (@paulbakija) kept the band alive & moving forward, w/Tibbie X holding down on bass from 2011 to 2023. Lineups came & went especially drummers & singers. On Jan 24, 2013, RY played @ Sidebar in Baltimore, MD. 📸: Unknown
A7 at 112 Ave A on Manhattan’s Lower East Side was the unofficial headquarters of the NYHC scene from 1981 - 1984. On 1/29th, bands like Reagan Youth, Kraut, & Urban Waste played there in ‘83 w/Reagan Youth’s Vol I (1st album) members Al Pike on bass and Steve Weissman on drums.
Reagan Youth - Volume III - Life & Times Revisited (Blue Color) $15.62
amzn.to/3Lt8b8V
#vinyladdict #nowspinning
Been singing along to a lot of Reagan Youth these days
A Reagan Youth fan once wrote Radical Records (c. 1986) asking for Youth Anthems for the New Order Vol. I, saying he’d enclosed $6. He never sent it, no cash, but the letter survived. A perfect DIY punk time capsule.
EDIT: January 20, 1989
P.S. Rumor has it that there’s an official legit R.Y. doc in the works 😉
⛓️💥: www.reagan-youth.com
Dave and Paul considered this to be the final Reagan Youth show. They reached out to Vic Venom, who played bass with the band from 1984 to 1988; however, he refused, stating that he would never play with Reagan Youth again.
⛓️💥: www.reagan-youth.com
On January 20, 1990, a Reagan Youth reunion show was scheduled at the Lismar Lounge, NYC to celebrate the last day of President Ronald Reagan’s administration, but the band did not perform.
Reagan Youth’s last show with Dave Insurgent, is believed to have taken place in 1988 in Allentown, PA. Paul Cripple (@paulbakija) has explained many times that the band’s last show together was attended by very few people—a nothing gig.
Reagan Youth has always been tight with Puke & Vomit — they’ve supplied tons of merch, especially during the reunion era. You can grab Reagan Youth gear (screen-printed tees, accessories & even a HEAD tote) directly from the Puke & Vomit site. ⛓️💥: pukenvomitrecords.com/pages/rapid-...
Hardcore punk rock fans & collectors! Official Reagan Youth merch is here! Grab the 171A Demo 1981 (7” Colored Vinyl)—unreleased 1981 tracks recorded by Jerry Williams at the legendary 171A Studio (home to Bad Brains, Beastie Boys & more!)⛓️💥: cleorecs.com/products/reaga…
January 12, 1985: Reagan Youth played ‘A Benefit for the Squats’ and best believe, squats in NYC still actually exist.
“I don’t have a story for each show we played back in the ’80s, but when I do, I’ll be sure to share them.”
—Paul Cripple (Paul Bakija)
Credit: sceneinbetween #RAR
Credit: sceneinbetween #RAR
Reagan Youth at the 1984 RNC in Dallas, Texas. Part of their Rock Against Racism tour, sharing stages with Dead Kennedys & Yippies. A paper called Dave Insurgent “20 & smells pretty mean.” 📰 Article transcribed, rumored video exists—still hoping it surfaces 👀
