Insted was created in the spring of 1986. After writing a handful of songs … Read Full Bio ↴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.

Blind
Insted Lyrics

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Where do you get off telling me what I believe. How I feel or what I think. No clue as to how my mind works, Don't know what goes on inside me. You don't know me at all. You just think you do. Take the time. Don't be blind. You will find. An open mind. There's no need for you to tell me what I've done wrong. I can, can see, all this contradiction around me. I just, just want, I want to be free. Don't question my actions. I never said that I was flawless

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Insted's song "Blind" are a powerful assertion of individual autonomy and the importance of making decisions based on personal experience and understanding rather than the judgment or expectations of others. The opening line, "Where do you get off telling me what I believe," immediately establishes the singer's independence and resistance to external influence. The following lines reinforce this sentiment by questioning the authority of anyone who presumes to understand the singer's thoughts or emotions without truly knowing them.

The refrain of the song, "Take the time, don't be blind, you will find an open mind," is a call to action for the listener or anyone who might be quick to judge, to take a step back and consider the complexity of others' perspectives. The singer insists that there is no one "right" way to think or feel, and that true understanding and acceptance requires a willingness to listen and to approach every situation with an open mind.

The final lines, "Don't question my actions, I never said that I was flawless," round out the song's message by acknowledging that even with the freedom to make our own choices, we are all ultimately flawed and human. Accepting this truth and being willing to make mistakes is a crucial part of embracing individuality and asserting our autonomy in a world that often tries to dictate our thoughts and actions.

Line by Line Meaning

Where do you get off telling me what I believe.
Why do you feel entitled to dictate to me what I should believe?

How I feel or what I think.
You don't have any knowledge about my thoughts or emotions.

No clue as to how my mind works,
You are entirely unaware of how my mind functions.

Don't know what goes on inside me.
You have no idea of what happens within me.

You don't know me at all.
You have no understanding of me whatsoever.

You just think you do.
You only hold the illusion of understanding me.

Take the time.
Please invest the required time.

Don't be blind.
Do not be ignorant.

You will find.
You will discover.

An open mind.
A mind open to new ideas.

There's no need for you to tell me what I've done wrong.
You are not required to inform me about my mistakes.