Founded in 1986, the legendary hardcore act INSTED played their final show at Spanky’s Cafe on July 13, 1991 in Riverside, CA. The footage of that gig has just been made available online. Watch below.
Insted was created in the spring of 1986. After writing a handful of songs they began playing backyard parties and garage gigs. By the end of the year they had developed a following in Anaheim and decided it was time to record a demo. In 1987 they caught the attention of local hardcore label Wishingwell Records, ran by Pat Dubar and Pat Longrie of Uniform Choice. They signed a deal with them later that year, wrote more songs, and began opening for some of the bigger bands at venues all across Southern California. By the time they finished the recording of what would become the “Bonds of Friendship” album, they had opened shows for national acts and expanded their following throughout Orange County. Before their first record was released, the band line up was solidified and they we’re ready to take their show out on the road. This would bring us to the summer of 1988, in a time when the straight edge-hardcore movement was growing. Insted embarked on their 1st national tour and began their system of touring, coming home and writing new songs, playing locally, recording, and then going back out on tour.
These were the key ingredients that defined Insted and would earn them an important spot in the hardcore punk scene. In the spring of 1989 they flew to New York to do some dates with Vision and strengthen their relationship with the East Coast. That summer they released the “We’ll Make the Difference” 7″ on Nemesis records and were back in the van for another full U.S assault.
That summer they shared the stage with bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Bold, Uniform Choice, Slapshot and Reason to Believe. Upon returning home, they were offered a record deal from Epitaph Records in which they accepted. Insted’s following had steadily grown and they were now headlining 1000 seat venues and drawing massive crowds. During the recording of “What We Believe” they made plans to expand their borders and tour Europe. But at the end of 1990, shortly after “What We Believe” was released, America went to war with the Middle East. Due to the circumstances they were unable to ship equipment over seas and decided to stay in their homeland. In the spring of 1991 they did another national tour. They were now sharing the stage with bands like Judge, Snapcase, and the Cro-mags. The hardcore sound of the early 80’s that they were so familiar with was changing. It was turning into a hard metal edge sound and the attitude of the scene reflected it. Bands that they looked up to like Uniform Choice and Youth of Today were broken up and their old time favorites Minor Threat and 7 Seconds were long gone.
When they returned from tour they began working on new material but felt out of place. The band had built its reputation on respect and integrity. In July of 1991 they decided to do a final show and bow out gracefully. Spanky’s Cafe in Riverside was one of their favorite spots and a perfect host for their humble grand finale. They made sure to include on the bill a few of the promising up and coming local bands.
Over the years Insted traveled throughout the country making friends and building a legacy that ingrained them into hardcore history. To this day the friendships they built are still in tact and their legacy lives on.
Footage by Come Join Friends.
