The spirit of Punk Rock comes in many forms, and Reagan Youth was one of the boldest politically driven bands in the genre from the ’80s.
Out of Queens, New York, the band led by Vocalist Dave Rubinstein (Dave Insurgent) and Guitarist Paul Bakija (Paul Cripple) used satire and sarcasm to drive home a message about societal hypocrisies and the politics that drive them. Initially released their debut EP Youth Anthems for the New Order in 1984, they re-released the collection under the title Volume 1 in 1989, but much of the band’s impact was made from high-energy shows and extensive touring. Hard to ignore, they also often utilized imagery of the KKK and the Nazi party as a point of irony. Nonetheless, in 1990, the band was pretty worn down, which resulted in their break up.
Releasing a second album entitled Volume 2 after their split, many wondered if this was the end of a golden era of NYC Hardcore Punk. Possibly so, within a few years, Dave Insurgent spiraled out of control with drug addiction due to depression and was gone at only twenty-eight years old in 1993. Leaving any possibility of a reunion alike, there was a show set in 2002 at CBGB, but tragedy struck again when Bassist Andy Bryan suddenly died from a heart attack. Yet another blow to Reagan Youth, four years later, the band would rekindle a new reunion with Paul Cripple, Drummer Javier Madriaga, along with new Bassist Al Pike and Vocalist Pat McGowan.
This a reunion that stuck; different members came and went through the years while Cripple consistently kept the legacy of Reagan Youth going strong. Then, in 2024, the announcement came that a new album was finally coming to fruition. Calling it Volume III – Life & Times Revisited, it was written and recorded by Paul Cripple. Furthermore, beyond Cripple writing all the songs, he played guitar and bass for the entire record while working with veteran Drummer Mark Zapata, along with vocals from Madame St. Beatrice.
A musical concept Cripple had envisioned for some time, the object was to put together a better ending to the story of Reagan Youth which has forever been associated with the devastating loss of Dave Insurgent’s life. The bottom line, as a co-founding member, Cripple knew there was more to Reagan Youth than this darkness, and he wanted to draft a storyline that honored the band and memory of Insurgent.
Unfortunately, this vision took years to materialize until Cripple at last found someone he could entrust with the duty of vocals. Calling on Madame St. Beatrice (someone he had worked with for over a decade in another band they formed called Dust Angel, who also became his wife), Reagan Youth recorded eleven songs and joined them together with “Lucky Seven” (which was recorded many years earlier with the late Kenny Young on vocals) to released Volume III – Life & Times Revisited on February 28, 2025, through Cleopatra Records. An inspiring story of perseverance; Cripple himself never had to see the release happen because he died in September 2024 after a long private battle with cancer. Truly disheartening; fortunately, his spirit lives on through the music, and Volume III – Life & Times Revisited is a wonderful swan song for himself and the Reagan Youth.
Something that long-time and new fans will equally enjoy, there is an energy and rawness to these songs that pays homage to Reagan Youth’s past while offering something different. Following a concept that reflects on the life of Dave Insurgent, many songs stick out, such as “Hapless Misfits,” The Beginning Of The End,” and “In The Thirsty Hour.” This is while “New, Improved Mother Earth” and “Temptress” also shine bright, while Beatrice does a sensation job on vocals.
Overall, while Reagan Youth’s decades-long struggle with a not-so-happy ending has cast a shadow upon them, Volume III – Life & Times Revisited should historically stand as a powerful, lasting memory of their music. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Volume III – Life & Times Revisited 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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