Instigators were one of the hardest-working bands around in their late-1980s heyday, touring the UK, Europe and USA.
The anarcho-punk outfit from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire gigged tirelessly on self-booked zero-budget tours, inspiring a new generation of young British bands along the way.
Now the band are set to return for the first time in 30 years, and are confirmed to play Rebellion Festival in Blackpool on Friday 8 August.
Two of their classic albums, Phoenix and Shockgun, are also being reissued on limited edition coloured vinyl on the Boss Tuneage Retro Series imprint on August 1.
Phoenix came out in 1986 on legendary punk label Bluurg, as the first release from the band’s second line-up, featuring original guitarist Simon Mooney, Andy Turner on vocals, and the rhythm section of Andy Turnbull (bass) and Steve Curran (drums). It’s the first time in over a decade the album has been available on vinyl.
Shockgun saw Bob Gorlik replace Turnbull on bass, and the band toured extensively to promote it on its release on three labels across UK, Germany and the US in 1988. It’s been out of print for three decades, and this release represents its first time on coloured vinyl since the initial German release.
Restored and enhanced, the reissues are complemented with artwork true to the original UK pressings, nd are must-own versions not only for old fans whose original copies have seen better days, but also those curious to seek out one of the most important bands to emerge from the late ’80s UK punk underground.
Instigators bowed out after two massive European tours at the start of the ’90s in Milan. Now they’re back for the first time in over 30 years for three special nights beginning at Rebellion, with headline shows in London and Huddersfield.
If you never saw them in full flow back in the day, it’s time to see what you were missing. The current line-up is Andy Turner (vocals), Simon Mooney (guitar), Gary Jackson (bass) and Dan Le-Billon (drums). Phoenix and Shockgun can be pre-ordered now HERE.
