In the latter half of the Eighties you’d have struggled to find a harder working group than Instigators. Tirelessly gigging up and down the UK, around mainland Europe, and even across the USA, on self-booked zero-budget tours, they inspired a new generation of young British bands to go blaze their own trails, often to great effect. Now in 2025, the band are set to return for the first time in thirty years and are confirmed to play the legendary Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, UK on August 8th, alongside further gigs and the much anticipated coloured vinyl reissues of the 1986 Phoenix album and Shockgun from 1988, with both ready for release on August 1st and available for pre-order via Boss Tuneage Records.

Phoenix was originally released in 1986 on legendary punk label Bluurg Records and was the first release from the classic second line up of the band, which featured original guitarist Simon Mooney teamed up with Andy Turner on vocals, and the rhythm section of bassist Andy Turnbull and drummer Steve Curran. It is this line up that started touring extensively throughout Europe, UK and the US. This is 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 extensively tour in promotion of the album on its release on three labels across UK, Germany and the US in 1988. The album has been commercially out of print for three decades, and this release represents the first time ever on coloured vinyl outside of the initial German release back in the late 80s. Restored and enhanced by Andy Pearce, the reissues are complemented with artwork true to the original UK pressings, both with 24 x 12 card inserts, heavyweight board sleeves, and are the must own versions not only for existing fans of the band whose old copies are at breaking point, but also for those curious to seek out one of the most important bands to emerge from the late 80s UK underground punk scene, who paved the way for countless bands that forged a similar path in later years. 

The first incarnation of Instigators can be traced to West Yorkshire in the early Eighties. A friendship with Subhumans‘ Dick Lucas saw his label Bluurg Records release their debut EP in 1984 and an album, Nobody Listens Anymore, a year later. The records were well received, putting them on the cover of revered magazine Maximum Rock ‘n Roll. American artist Pushead also championed Instigators, including songs on his worldwide compilation, Cleanse The Bacteria. And then the vocalist, bassist and drummer all walked out, leaving founder member Simon Mooney without a band. With touring commitments, and a determination to carry on, Simon immediately assembled a new line-up, with Andy Turner and Andy Turnbull drafted in as vocalist and bassist, their band XPOZEZ having recently split. With the addition of Steve Curran on drums they began touring Europe nonstop with the reinvigorated line-up debuting in Swansea, July ’85, officially marking the next era of Instigators. 

Following another mainland jaunt in January ‘86 the band assembled at Woodlands Studio, in Castleford, during March and April to record their new album, Phoenix, It was produced by the band with Bruce Treasure (Subhumans) and saw a subtle change in the bands musical direction that reflected the increasing influence of bands from North America on their listening habits. With their new album out in the summer of ’86, the band now headed across the Atlantic for a North American tour commencing on 27th June at Providence’s Lupos with The Adolescents and Murphy’s Law and finishing at On Broadway in San Francisco on 14^th August. The wheels were truly turning for this incarnation of Instigators, and they would continue with tireless tours across the UK and mainland Europe and kept their profile up with tracks on various compilations. 1987 saw them release the memorable Full Circle / Sleeper single and with 88’s Shockgun album moving the goalposts again and clocking up the mileage on what would eventually be over 16 lengthy European jaunts. Instigators bowed out after two massive European tours at the start of the ’90’s in Milan, Italy. Now they’re back for the first time in over 30 years for three special nights beginning at the world renowned Rebellion Festival in Blackpool with headline shows in London and Huddersfield. If you weren’t there to witness them in full flow back, then it’s time to see what you were missing.

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