Paul Cripple (Paul Bakija) of Reagan Youth is mentioned in today’s NY Post (Nov 25), right in the spirit of the classic 80s hit movie E.T., actor & friend @robert_macnaughton 😉 and, of course, Stranger Things, which features the song “Go Nowhere” in Season 1, Episode 2.

During the final months of Paul Cripple’s (Paul Bakija) life, while he was receiving hospice care at Calvary Hospital in the north Bronx, NY, Paul made a host of new friends among the doctors & nurses there. Old friends from around NYC also stopped by regularly to visit him. /1

During Reagan Youth’s reformation years (2006–2024), Paul Cripple (@paulbakija) was, of course, the driving force of the band and had established a dependable Tibbie X on bass from 2011–2023. However, the band had revolving members, particularly in the drummer and singer positions.

These were taken at the gig where Reagan Youth played a matinee show with the Beastie Boys on the bill on November 20th, 1982, at CBGBs in NYC.

Here’s a #THROWBACK you might not know about 👀 On November 20th, 1982, Reagan Youth and the Beastie Boys played a matinee gig @ CBGB’s in NYC

The song “Go Nowhere” is featured in Stranger Things, Season 2, Episode 1. On Surely Podcast recent episode, the hosts dives into the story of Reagan Youth, the song “Go Nowhere”, and the scene in which it appears. www.thesurelypodcast.com/stranger-thi...

During the reformation years back in 2008, a show was booked in Long Island, NY. Just days before the event, two of the four members bailed, leaving the lineup in chaos. So Paul Cripple, with his punk-rock “fuck you” attitude, refused to cancel the show

Reagan Youth fans, listen up! Reagan Youth Live & Rare, Disorder Now! Anthology 1981–1984, The Complete Youth Anthems for the New Order, A Collection of Pop Classics, The Poss Tapes 1981–1984 & Volume III are all streaming everywhere — can’t stress that enough! 🎧💥

how do we get what we make printed

During their reformation, Reagan Youth took a short break from live shows (2009–2010), and this gig marked their comeback with Kenny Young on vocals (“Lucky 7,” Vol. III). Also happened to be my (@madamestbeatrice.bsky.social) birthday show — Nov 6, 2010 @ Party Expo, Brooklyn.

Rare photo of David Rubinstein (aka Dave Insurgent) from the early–mid ’80s while studying film at The New School. Paul Cripple (aka Paul Bakija) says Dave made a film he appeared in—one of several early works still missing. Hopefully, they’ll surface someday.

October 31, 1984 @ CBGBS NYC #Throwback #FBF

Paul Bakija has entrusted me with carrying forward the Reagan Youth legacy by maintaining the band’s socials, sharing its message, and being the voice on Volume III. I can’t shy away from this responsibility; I have to speak up @madamestbeatrice.bsky.social youtu.be/mDoeRLfEk-M?...

Here’s a #Throwback; October 29th, 1982 @ N.C.C.A.C., Bethlehem, PA w/ The Misfits

🚨PSA: REAGAN YOUTH MUSIC IS STILL AVAILABLE ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS🚨

Federal agents are staging a massive operation downtown near Canal street. Show of force with reportedly dozens of agents from agencies including ICE, FBI, IRS, DEA, etx

Not sure if this zine’s been mentioned, but Paul Cripple gave what’s believed to be his final (and very brief) interview in ‘Down the Punk Rock Highway’ by Jared Forman. Just search the title if you want a copy, it’s that easy. — @madamestbeatrice.bsky.social

Want Reagan Youth records? Just search “Reagan Youth records” online — tons of options. But for the real deal, go straight to Cleopatra Records: cleorecs.com/search?q=rea... Thanks for the support. Peace, love, and anarchy! 🏴

Reminder: ‘The Complete Youth Anthems for the New Order’ & ‘A Collection of Pop Classics’ are still on all major streaming platforms. With ‘Punk Rock New York’ MIA, these two are the go-to — featuring tracks like ‘New Aryans’ & ‘Jesus Was a Communist’. Peace, love & anarchy 🏴

Here’s a flyer that reads ‘Regan Youth’, a misspelling that drove Dave Insurgent up the wall. He couldn’t stand when people got the name of his band wrong. 8/26/1988 @ The Atlantic Beach Club, Virginia Beach, VA #ReaganYouth #FBF

This is probably the third documentation of a creator on YouTube telling the Reagan Youth story. Props to them, but there’ll soon be an official one. Shout out to Sound of History — How Reagan Youth brought peace to hardcore punk youtu.be/yhQlWBExAQQ?si…

Here’s a #THROWBACK; 2007 circa somewhere in Massachusetts 📷: Nicole Tammaro67 #ReformationYears #ReaganYouth

Here’s a #THROWBACK from the reformation years, August 2014 Paul Bakija & @tibbie666x.bsky.social somewhere in Germany #ReaganYouth #FBF

Here's yet another #THROWBACK from the reformation years, September 24, 2006 @ Tompkins Square Park, NYC There was some talk on stage about the movie ‘Airheads' at this event #IYKYK

Here’s a #THROWBACK from the latter years; September 26, 2014 @ Middle East Club Boston, MA #FBF

Here’s a #THROWBACK: September 25, 1981 @ A7, NYC. Fun fact: Johnny Aztec, drummer from VOL. II, also played in the band Heart Attack.

Here’s yet another THROWBACK; September 21, 1985 @ Rock Hotel, NYC

And now here’s a #THROWBACK; September 22, 1988 @ The Pipeline Newark, NJ w/ Bad Religion & L7 👀 Who attended this show?!?! #ReaganYouth

Remembering Paul ‘Cripple’ Bakija March 19, 1964 - September 21, 2024 🥀

And now here’s a #THROWBACK; September 18, 1982 @ Gallery East, Boston, MA #NYHC #HardcorePunkRock #TBT

Just recently, an old friend sent me this photo of Paul posing next to what looks like a sticker on a windshield that says “I really miss Reagan.” With Paul’s death anniversary coming up in a few days it’s appropriate to say that I really miss Paul.

Trump would hate to be in Brazil, seems like the laws they have apply to everybody. Not like here where they pick and choose based on income and status…never been a democracy, just a mockery. www.commondreams.org/news/bolsona...

Here’s a THROWBACK — should’ve posted this on 9/5, but better late than never. Flyer from 9/5/1982 at A7 in NYC. Pretty sure it was drawn by Dave Insurgent himself.

Thanks to photographer Daryl Ann Saunders for this one. #DaveInsurgent

Today we celebrate Dave Insurgent’s life & times. September 5, 1964 - July 3, 1993 🥀 📷: Amie Hertzig #ReaganYouth #DaveInsurgent

Before Paul Cripple transitioned into another dimension, there was an urgency to release one final Reagan Youth album, Volume III: Life & Times Revisited, dedicated to his best friend and bandmate Dave Insurgent.

Dave Insurgent drew this flyer for a Reagan Youth show w/ The Undead & Bad Brains @ CBGBs, NYC – 11/13/81. Paul Cripple told me Bad Brains were a big influence, and once said Reagan Youth was like The Beatles ’cause they had so many hits. - @madamestbeatrice.bsky.social

Fascism - rule by dictator Oligarchy - gvt by wealthy few Theocracy - ruled by religion Kakistocracy - gvt by least qualified America has produced a most unique system of government A theofascoligkakracy

“YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF THE LOST UNFORTUNATE EMERGENCE OF CANCEROUS GROWTH IN THE DARK ABYSS OF OUR BELOVED FUHRER’S ASSHOLE!!! Here’s yet another #THROWBACK; September 1, 1985 @ CBGBS NY, NY

Snapped right after a Reagan Youth show, probably ’81, during a punk zine interview. L to R: Russell the Muscle (Dave I.’s best friend), Paul Cripple, Andy Apathy (OG bassist), Dave Insurgent, Charlie Tripper (1st drummer), & a friend of the band. Hope this footage surfaces.

When Paul Bakija reformed the band in 2006, he brought back Al Pike from Volume I and Johnny Aztec from Volume II for live performances. The lineup went on to play numerous tour dates from 2006 through 2009. It’s believed that these old gems were captured during their very first European tour. #TBT

Thank you, Chris Simunek, for sharing this ol’ gem of HOUSE OF GOD @ Tompkins Square Park in NYC.

And here's a #THROWBACK; a ROCK AGAINST REAGAN event, August 21, 1984 with Dead Kennedys at The Convention Center in Dallas, TX There's an article about this very event you could check out that's now on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/reaganyo...

Revisiting August 22, 1981, 44 years ago, Reagan Youth played their very first gig at A7 (now a dive bar called Niagara). Paul Bakija’s sister took most of the pictures focusing on Paul, but you can also see the original bassist Andy Apathy, and of course Dave Insurgent.

Shout out to Andrea Troeger for publishing the wonderful book ‘Our Fucking Park’ and including the rockstar, thee amazing songwriter, guitar man, & sometimes bass man Paul Bakija.

Good morning! A bit late on posting this, everyone. Global strike for the people of Gaza begins today and every single Thursday going forward! Here’s the details and what you need to know

And now here’s a #THROWBACK; August 16, 1988 @ CBGBS NY, NY During this time “The band went out to the West Coast in 1987 as the gigs were bigger and better over on the California coast as the N.Y.H.C. scene became less to do with peace punk.” www.reagan-youth.com/history

And now here’s yet another #THROWBACK; August 12, 1984, Tiguex Park, Albuquerque, NM “In 1984 the band left for the west coast for a two month excursion, playing political minded free festivals with R.A.R. (ROCK AGAINST RACISM)”

“August 12, 2007 we played @ The Knitting Factory Los Angeles, CA w/ Christ On Parade, Mouth Sewn Shut and Doomsday Hour”

“One of these paintings was used as a backdrop for a CBGB’s Reagan Youth show around 1985, the assembly line (horizontal piece). The artist’s name is Andrew Castrucci who was close with Dave and Dave Insurgent was interested and supportive of combining visuals with music.”