Reagan Youth Is Going Back On Tour

Reagan Youth has announced tour dates for October. Odd, since their singer, Dave Rubinstein, committed suicide in 1993, three years after the band broke up.

But bands get back together and go on reunion tours without all the original members. It happens. Not everyone is so down with it.

Regan Youth started in 1980 in Queens. They were anarcho-punks, naming themselves after a play on Hitler Youth. Reagan Youth were all about “Anarchy, Peace, and Unity.” They were a big part of the hardcore scene in NYC. They did the brat thing, making fun of Republicans, right wing politics, and Reagan himself. They were crazy boys. They toured the USA over and over and over with bands like Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains, and the Misfits (No big deal or anything). During the early 80s, they went through a bunch of line-up changes as some members went to graduate school or became mailmen. With these line-up changes came a change in the political content of the songs. Rubinstein got more into ripping on Jesus (later, a few members formed House of God). The band eventually split in 1990. They lost one member to an overdose. Rubinstein got deep into heroin, lost his mother to a fatal car accident and later, his girlfriend too when her body was found in serial killer Joel Rifkin’s truck. He committed suicide the same year.

But now, Reagan Youth is touring again with Paul Cripple (guitar), Mike Sabatino (drums), Tibbie X (bass), and Jim Diesel (vocals). Reagan Youth had a few singers after Rubenstein. It feels like the band is focused on keeping the Reagan Youth spirit alive. Obviously, it will not be the same, but with a band like this, it doesn’t feel like they are touring for the money.

October 6th Columbus, OH at Carabar
October 7th Dayton, OH at Spitfire
October 8th Louisville, KY at Magbar
October 10th Birmingham, AL at The Nick
October 11th Ocean Springs, MS at The Squeaky Lizard
October 14th Jacksonville, FL at Jackrabbits
October 18th Miami, FL at Churchill’s Pub
October 20th Tampa, FL Brass, Mug
October 21st Atlanta, GA at High Dive