UK punk legends Instigators return with "Full Circle / The Sleeper" reissue 12"

Hot on the heels of the news that UK anarcho punk favourites Instigators are set to reform this coming August for the first time in thirty years when they play Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, the band have now announced a new 12” EP to be released August 15th via Sanctus Propaganda. Featuring two original recordings initially released in 1987 as one of the most intense, melodic, and pissed off UK hardcore punk singles ever, the tracks Full Circle and The Sleeper have now been remastered at Dobra 12 Studio and are still buzzing with that desperate energy and subtle finesse only Instigators could pull off.

Check out the video for the 2025 version of Full Circle below:

But here‘s the twist. The band have been locked away in Huddersfield these last few months, re-honing their craft and preparing to take on the world again and in that time, they‘re recorded brand new 2025 versions of both tracks, recorded by the band this May. No gloss, no nostalgia trip, just raw, present-day urgency from a band that‘s lived through it and still means it. They even dragged ’Suicide Investigation Team‘ back from the “Shockgun” LP and gave it the same treatment. Ugly and beautiful all over again.

“When Sanctus Propaganda asked us if they could re-issue our 1987 single “Full Circle/The Sleeper” it was a no brainer really but when we started rehearsing, we were so happy with how quickly we were nailing these songs we asked the label if we could add some new versions,” explains frontman Andy Turner. “Seems a 12” isn‘t much more expensive to produce so besides the two original versions you‘re getting three new rough arsed tracks as well and 5” more vinyl and it‘s both (new members) Dan and Gaz‘s first time ever on a record.”

Out on 12th August, you can pre-order a copy of Full Circle / The Sleeper through the link HERE.

This is not a reissue, it‘s a resurrection! 1987 vs. 2025 – old-school fury meets veteran precision. A timebomb with two fuses.

Pair it with the freshly repressed “Phoenix” and “Shockgun” LPs from Boss Tuneage Records and you‘ve got the complete Instigators blast radius. You can order a copy of the re-presses HERE.

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 release their debut EP in 1984 and an LP “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 the 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 Lupos, Providence (Rhode Island) with The Adolescents and Murphy’s Law and finishing at On Broadway in San Francisco on 14th 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 renown 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.

DIY or die trying…..