2011: a year of travelling the states with the band (DRAFT)

When 2011 began I was ready to play a bunch of shows with Reagan Youth once again. At the beginning of 2010 I had fired the previous singer and since the drummer was upset he wasn't able to borrow anymore money from said singer because of that fact, he was replaced soon after. The only remaining member was the bassist, Al Pike and we spent the whole of 2010 looking for not just a singer, but a drummer as well. By November Reagan youth was ready to play again with a new kick ass drummer, Mike "Thunderkicks" Sabatino, and an old friend of Dave Insurgent and I; Kenny Young. But now it was a new year and we got to play just a few shows with Al Pike until he was let go to focus on health and family issues. Now this was unfortunate because we had a Midwest tour booked by our good friends Stressbomb, who would be our support act, so I thought about who would be a noble replacement for Mr. Pike?. I decided on Dave "Dynamite" Manzullo who I had known since the first days of N.Y.H.C. of which both of us were a part of. Back then he was the guitarist of Ultra Violence and now after all these years he still played gigs with said band. I asked him to play bass. He told me "it's funny you asked because I just bought a bass". We both took that as a good sign.

Now in the meantime we were able to record a demo of a new song "Lucky 7" thanks to Gary Arnold of Gary's Chop Shop. A classy guy with a classy studio who knew how to record us like nobody's business. I was feeling blessed. Now it's only a demo but I was happy enough with it to put it up on the interment so anyone could download it for free.

Previously, with the first reformed band I had written a song "In The Thirsty Hour" which I wanted to be the other side of the first single with "Lucky 7" on the A side. Unfortunately I wasn't able to release any recordings of those two songs with the previous band as the singer purposely sang the lyrics incorrectly, so that no one could sing along to it, like the way people who see us always sing along to all our old songs. Couldn't put that up because I'd be way to embarrassed of how terribly the previous singer ruined that recording. But we had "Lucky 7" thanks to Gary Arnold and we were looking forward to rocking another new song live.

So we played our first show at local 269 after we were asked to play the gig as a favor to a promoter. I did this promoter a favor by telling her to pay the band whatever she could. I wish I hadn't played because during the gig this stupid drunk ran into my leg during the show and broke the tibia in my left leg. Seconds after going down I broke my guitar after swinging it as hard as I could, missing his head by an inch, thinking "what a piece of shit this ass wipe is". How typical when do someone a favor and end up owing thousands to a hospital for an emergency room visit.

We played one more gig in preparation for the Midwest at Sinclairs in Long Island for Howie Fightback whom I can proudly say is a real promoter. he took care of us as usual and we left to play our first tour since 2009. We played Philly twice and heard that we were playing :real rock n' roll". A true compliment i never mind hearing. We then went to Pittsburgh, a city I happen to love, and had fun there as well. Cleveland was next and the band finally laid down a rule for Mr. Manzullo: NO DRUGS BEFORE YOU PLAY as he sounded off and acted wack. He did the right thing at Chicago and we sounded tight like a mosquito's ass. That was important to my as in the audience that night was none other than Dave Insurgent's best friend; Russell Muscle. seeing him slam dancing in the crowd again after so many years, and seeing him singing along to all the old songs meant something to me. It touched my heart. I was able to see his wife Christine and it's always great catching up with ole' buddies.

So we drove unto Columbus where we had one of our best shows. A great crowd showed up and seeing Mr. Manzullo get some from a beautiful girl put a smile on all our faces as he had been dumped by his girlfriend previous to joining the band. he appreciated finally going on tour with a hardcore band, after some 30 years of waiting, and his appreciation was reciprocated by a young woman in school to learn modeling. No one deserved that better then Mr. Manzullo. We then played Nashville, a beautiful place with a rich musical history. Chattanooga was next and the thing I remember best was listening to the people's stereo system blasting Judas priest live out of a stereo system form the 70's. I hadn't heard 'that sound' since the early 80's and it was magical to hear recordings played on a system that were specifically built to play Judas Priest Live and Strangers in The Night by UFO. Beautiful people those Southerners and I will always hold Matt Tard and Charlie Checkpoint from Columbus and Morgan and Twat Sauce close to my heart for their amazing southern hospitality. We headed back north and played Virginia where I met a fan who showed me a quilt with a box shown into it with a picture of Dave Insurgent. he asked me to sign it after telling me that he would hand that quilt down to his grandchildren and explain to them the importance of Reagan youth's message. I was so proud of having played with Dave Insurgent before but hearing and seeing that, I was touched with overwhelming emotion beyond belief. we wrapped up the tour in Baltimore and met a few folks that remembered seeing Reagan Youth back in the 80-'s at Jules' Loft. Really sweet stuff.

So we we took some time off and headed down to Florida where we played with an amazing band, Gurelllas De Noche. who rocked Churchills. My merchandise girl, who happens to be black, was called the n word by some racist piece of shit and the singer from that band defended her honor. The racist hit the singer with a bottle and that's when all the punk rockers opened joined in since the bottle no longer meant it was fair fight and opened up a serious can of whup ass on the racist. The cops came and arrested the racist who came with one friend that night; an off duty cop.....lol.

So we took some time off to take care of shit at home and after doing that we headed out Delaware where I was able to hang with the singer from the old N.Y.H.C. band the Mob, the great Ralphie. He busted out some lines of blow and patted me on my back as I headed out to Pennsylvania. The gig was memorable because we met a great guy; Ron Zodiac. We headed back home and waited for our next show.

The next show we had booked was Boston but our singer wasn't able to make it. I felt bad going up there without a singer but when I explained to the audience what happened (drugs), instead of booing they cheered us on and helped us out by grabbing the singer's microphone and singing along to each and every song. Boston rocks, great city with even greater punk rockers.

So now I had a dilemma, who was gonna sing for our big west coast tour and after considering all these singers we I eventually chose Jim "Diesel" Pepe. We played Pittsburgh, once again that year, so he'd know what to expect for the west. Now he didn't have much time to learn the set but by the time we got to Seattle he rocked those songs something fierce so going out west the band was feeling confident once again.

Seattle's' Sound fest was great, as we opened for the Avenegrs and Jello Biafra. next we played with poison Idea in Portland and that was another great show (mention Sharlie Scandal and Rawbo and Sarah and that Chinese band). We drove down US1 and saw some of the most amazing sights. When you look at at the pacific and the sea merges with the mist and the sky, well, Jim said it best "This is what Heaven looks like guys". eventually we made our way to Bakersfield, Buck Owen's old stomping grounds and it was as good any place we've ever visited. Along the way a drummer hooked up Mr. Sabatino with a snare all for a signed Cd. Great guy. We L.A. (which had been wary to book us since the last time we played there our fans got so excited they rioted. I made sure to keep it cool this time around. Next we rocked an all ages show for Mr. Jeff Froelich in Fullerton. Unfortunately Mr. Froewlich had to get his appendix pulled and missed the show. We went with our good friends Ana and Emily insurgente to the Poor Kids radio show. freaking' amazing. And heading west we played some beautiful shows at Santa Barbara, San Lius Opisopo, Pomona and Concord. Sacramento was wack as we played after the police chased everyone away. But we finished strong with two amazing shows, Gilman in Berkeley and The Instant asshole House in Oakland. Leasa and Mikey ROCK!

We headed home but Mr. Ssbatino went back out again with Zounds, another great anarcho punk band, with a shaved head so he'd look different, but still an amazing drummer. he told me he wasn't the same flashy guy that time around but I know the fans appreciated hearing some great drumming coming from Reagan Youth's drummer. We played new jersey and though it wasn't a crazy punk crowd like we experienced everywhere but where we live, we appreciated playing in front of music nerds. We played Beatrice's third annual birthday bash with best Mess and Obamnation debuting a bunch of new songs, half of then Reagan youth songs but with my new band. The Living dead (which has now been changed to DUST ANGEL) as Jim was unable to sing the last two shows, being that he was stuck working in another state, so we had Kenny young back to rock the vocals (he had gotten better, and proud of him am I ! ). we ended things up playing a show with a band we hadn't played on the same bill with since the early 80's. the great agnostic front. I remember playing some of my earliest shows playing on the saame bill with Mr. Vinnie Stigma when he was rockin' it with the Eliminators. and seeing that he still has it, all these years later, well playing that gig with Agnostic Front was a beautiful way to end the 2011.

Now I did play some more, but with dust angel, and we do play some new Reagan Youth songs "Love Is Between My Legs", "Temptress", "Necrophilia" as well as "Lucky 7" and "In The Thirsty Hour" along with Pure Dust angel songs "Image of Man", "New Improved Mother Earth" and "Do What Thou Wilt". Expect more songs to come out for both of my bands, Reagan Youth and Dust Angel, even if my new band will be playing those new Reagan youth songs at first.

So I have to say 2011 was a very great year for Reagan youth and for all the people who were there to support us and be helpful and kind, we won't forget you. as for the assholes who screwed us over (you know who you are, and remember this, I ain't gonna ever forget, go on and keep living like the piece of shits you are, but I will not only get even, but get over on your pathetic asses.

But anew year is coming up, and why end this blog thinking of "those" shitheads. I got a lot of music left in me, and I learned a bunch from my great old singer Dave Insurgent (rest in piece buddy, I'm always thinking about you because no one has influenced me more) about exposing the evils of society through art and music and words. So here's to 2012 even being better then the great past year of 2011.

So happy new year everyone, and let's try to get that1% to finally stop shitting the the 99% of the rest of us. Come on, let's make it happen. occupy Wall street baby!

Love, hugs and smoooches,
Paul Cripple

Don't forget to mention names I have forgotten and the KWE (especially Drew stone) and try to think about other things I have to remember.