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.

Give Thanks
Insted Lyrics

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It's such a short time we're on this earth. We all tend to neglect from the moment of birth. Let's put aside the evil and look towards the good realizing what we have, is something we should. Step back, look around, what do you see? Step back, look around, and assess your needs. There's people less fortunate, with no place-to sleep. This life they were brought into, with nothing to eat. Don't take for granted the things you have cause compared to some people, life's not that bad, There's good things out there just look around, I'm not gonna let a loss bring me down. But instead I'll keep pushing on and be thankful for my life's not over and done. Give thanks for what we are given. Appreciate what you have got

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Insted's song, Give Thanks, highlight the importance of gratitude and appreciation in our lives. The song begins by pointing out that our time on earth is short, yet despite this, we often fail to appreciate what we have. It urges us to focus on the good in life and to put aside evil. We are asked to assess our needs and look at the world around us, where there are people less fortunate, struggling for the most fundamental needs of life such as food and shelter.

The song then moves on to remind us not to take the things we have for granted, because there are always others less fortunate than ourselves. It encourages us to look for good things that are out there and not let losses bring us down. Instead, we must keep pushing forward and be thankful for the fact that our life is not over yet. Overall, the song underlines the message that we should give thanks for what we are given and appreciate what we have got in life.

Line by Line Meaning

It's such a short time we're on this earth.
Life on earth is very short.

We all tend to neglect from the moment of birth.
From the beginning of our lives, we tend to forget important things.

Let's put aside the evil and look towards the good realizing what we have, is something we should.
We should ignore bad things and focus on the good things that we have.

Step back, look around, what do you see?
Take a look around and observe your surroundings.

Step back, look around, and assess your needs.
Think about what you need in life.

There's people less fortunate, with no place-to sleep.
Some people do not have a place to sleep.

This life they were brought into, with nothing to eat.
Some people are born into a life of poverty and have nothing to eat.

Don't take for granted the things you have cause compared to some people, life's not that bad,
We should not forget about the things we have because some people have it worse.

There's good things out there just look around,
There are many good things in life if you look for them.

I'm not gonna let a loss bring me down.
We should not be affected by our losses.

But instead I'll keep pushing on and be thankful for my life's not over and done.
Instead, we should continue to persevere and be grateful that we are still alive.

Give thanks for what we are given.
We should be thankful for what we have.

Appreciate what you have got
We should appreciate what we have.

Contributed by Isaiah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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