Reagan Youth Co-Founder and Guitarist Paul Bakija, a.k.a. “Paul Cripple” has died after a long battle with cancer.  He died early last week according to posts on social media from the band accounts. Formed at Forrest Hills High School in the footsteps of former attendees Ramones, along with singer Dave Rubinstein (a.k.a. Dave Insurgent), Reagan Youth would be one of the foundational blocks of early New York Hardcore. Their classic 1984 album Youth Anthems for the New Order (R Radical Records) is a NYHC genre classic. They lasted for ten years, and attempted to reunite several times over the years with a few releases, and notably played gigs in 2006. Read the bands’ statement below. RIP Paul. Continue reading →