Instigators

Instigators were an English anarcho-punk band from Dewsbury, formed in 1980, that survived major lineup changes and continued on into the 1990s after the original lineup split in the mid 1980s.

Early Days in Dewsbury

The band began with drummer Paul “Hammy” Halmshaw and guitarist Simon Mooney, who met as students at Thornhill High School.

The first lineup was completed by vocalist Simon “Semi” Bridgewater and bassist Nicky Djorjevic. The name Instigators was suggested by Ritchie Calvert of Disintegrated.

Their first live performance took place in summer 1982. Early musical reference points included Crass and Flux of Pink Indians.

Early Lineup Changes and First Demos

Djorjevic left and was replaced by “Tompo,” who lasted only a few months and played on the band’s first demo. Bass duties then passed to Simon “Tab” Elsey.

Bridgewater stepped away for a short time and was replaced by Darren “Daz” Dean. Bridgewater later moved into web development.

The band’s early demos led to a support slot for Flux of Pink Indians in November 1982. Three demos were later collected on a cassette released through Halmshaw’s Peaceville Records label.

Barbara Drye also contributed vocals on a couple of songs, including “Aggression.”

Breakthrough Releases and Chart Results

In May 1983, Instigators opened for Subhumans in Bradford. That performance was recorded by Subhumans vocalist Dick Lucas and released through his Bluurg label.

Bluurg released the band’s first EP, The Blood Is on Your Hands, which reached number 21 on the UK Independent Chart.

The 1985 album Nobody Listens Anymore expanded their audience, reaching number 18 on the Indie Albums Chart and earning a spot on Pusmort’s Cleanse the Bacteria compilation.

Further Changes and the 1990s Years

Bridgewater left in 1985 after an argument, and Andy “Tez” Turner, formerly of Xpozez, took over vocals.

Not long after, Halmshaw and Elsey also departed. Mooney and Turner continued with bassist Andrew “Trimble” Turnbull, also formerly of Xpozez, and drummer Steve “Cuzzy” Curran.

With the later lineup, the band’s approach shifted toward a stronger American-leaning direction. They toured Europe and the United States and continued releasing material into the 1990s.

After leaving the band, Halmshaw went on to front Civilised Society and continued developing the Peaceville label.

Discography

Singles and EPs:

• The Blood Is on Your Hands 7-inch EP (1984, Bluurg, Fish 6, UK Indie No. 21)
• Recorded Live in Denmark Feb ’86 7-inch EP (1986, Mystic)
• Eye to Eye (1986, Mystic)
• Full Circle 7-inch (1987, Double A)
• Invasion 7-inch (1988, Super Seven)
• Toshiyuki Hiraoka / With The Instigators, Personal Progress 7-inch (1990, Deco Record)

Albums and tapes:

• Demo cassette (1982)
• Demo cassette (1983)
• Live in Leeds cassette (1983, Bluurg)
• Demo cassette (1984)
• It Has To Be Stopped Live cassette (1984, 96 Tapes)
• All Creatures Great And Small Live cassette (1984, Bluurg)
• Nobody Listens Anymore (1985, Bluurg, Fish 11, UK Indie No. 18)
• We Are The Race Of The Media Fix Live cassette (1985, Bluurg)
• Shrapnel, Live At St. Phillips Community Centre cassette (1985)
• Live In Leeds cassette (1985)
• Demo cassette (1986)
• Phoenix (1986, Bluurg, Fish 13)
• Instigators Live At Huset, Arhus, Denmark, 15 February 1986 (1987, self-released, later licensed to Calypso Now)
• Wall of Sound, Live in Berlin (1988, Meantime)
• Live (1988, Black Box Records)
• Shockgun (1988, Flipside, FLIP 16)
• New Old Now (1989, Peaceville)
• Recovery Sessions (1990, Full Circle)
• Demo cassette (1993)
• Dine Upon the Dead (2002, Blackfish, compilation)
• The Blood Is On Your Hands LP (2015, RuinNation)
• Nobody Listens Anymore 30th Anniversary Edition LP (2015, RuinNation)

Past Members

• Paul “Hammy” Halmshaw
• Simon Mooney
• Simon “Semi” Bridgewater
• Simon “Tab” Elsey
• Barbara Drye
• Nicky Djorjevic
• Tompo
• Darren “Daz” Dean
• Andy “Tez” Turner
• Andrew “Trimble” Turnbull
• Steve “Cuzzy” Curran