Skinheads at Forty

The words seem strange coming from a man heralded by his compatriots as one of the Twin Cities' toughest street fighters of his day. Now the disarmingly mellow 38-year-old is pursuing his Master's in social work from Met State while working as a counselor for drug-addicted kids.

Although they're no longer bashing skulls, the guys who made up the core of the Baldies still keep tabs on one another. A tentative reunion is planned for August.

After struggling with addiction through the 1990s, Casanova Frankenstein cleaned up and now works with an outreach program for the homeless in the Twin Cities.

Ciaran has maintained his leftist radicalism as a union steward and activist for the Industrial Workers of the World, a militant international union.

Mic Crenshaw moved to Portland in the mid-'90s to teach public high school, and also performs as a hip-hop artist.

Danny works as a security guard in downtown Minneapolis. More than any other former Baldie, his political views have undergone a transformation since he left the scene. His blue V-neck sweater, crisp khakis, and round spectacles make him look like a chipper accountant.

"I was young and looking for something to grab a hold of to match the intensity in my heart," Danny says. "I dealt with a lot of radical left-wing politics, which were close to my heart at the time. I think when I joined the Army, I kind of saw a different side of life. For me, it comes down to personal accountability. You're not going to be your best unless you keep your own nose clean. I'm real, real conservative on some things and real, real liberal on others."

Hawkins views it as growing up, rather than selling out.

"Now that I'm beyond my testosterone-fueled days, I see things differently," he explains. "I was one of those kids throwing rocks outside the system. Then I realized I could make more changes inside the system.

"But do I regret my days as a Baldie? Not for a second."