Reagan Youth confirm death of guitarist Paul Bakija
Paul Bakija, better known by his stage name Paul Cripple, has died after a long battle with cancer. Bakija rose to prominence within the hardcore punk scene of New York during the 1970s as the guitarist and co-founder of the incredible punk group Reagan Youth, who helped to define the distinctive sound of New York hardcore during that period.
The news of the guitarist’s death was broken on social media. The account belonging to Reagan Youth shared a tribute to their fallen friend and bandmate. “Our beautiful friend, Paul, passed away on a beautiful afternoon, the last day of summer, after a long battle with cancer,” the post read. “Paul was intensely stoic about his illness and rarely let on how much pain he was in,” the statement continued.
“He constantly apologised for causing his loved ones pain and wished us to enjoy life for him. The last thing Paul would have wanted was for us to cry for him,” the band wrote, concluding, “We’re all going to miss him, miss his stories, miss his silly sense of humour, miss his smiles, and miss his friendship. We love you Paul. Thank you for everything.”
Multiple other prominent musicians have paid tribute to the pioneering guitarist, most notably Dead Kennedys, who posted, “We played some great shows together over the years. Most legendary was Rock Against Reagan and a triple bill of Dead Kennedys, Reagan Youth, and Beastie Boys.”
Reagan Youth first began in 1980, after Bakija and his high school friend Dave Rubinstein decided to form a band, in the wake of the city’s blossoming punk rock movement. Soon, Reagan Youth had formed, and they became a definitive voice of politically-charged anarcho-punk in the city. Their material was always uncompromising in its morals, as well as wonderfully energetic and abrasive.
Although the band only released one official album, 1984’s Youth Anthems for the New Order, during their initial run, they developed an unparalleled live show and became regulars at the iconic CBGB club in Manhattan. Their unique brand of confrontational, staunchly political hardcore punk paved the way for countless future artists to follow in their path. Although supporting musicians came and went, the duo of Rubinstein and Bakija was always at the centre.
Initially, the band split up in 1990, following Ronald Reagan’s departure from the White House. Shortly after, in 1993, Rubinstein died of an intentional drug overdose, seemingly putting an end to the Reagan Youth story. In recent years, however, Bakija resurrected the group to play live shows and even record new material. It is even thought that, while in hospital, Bakija was still playing and discussing new material for the band. His death is a colossal loss for punk, hardcore, and alternative music.
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