Since 2016, the members of Instigator have become a kickass thrash-metal band, via both original compositions and riotous live shows—and they’ve survived being a high school band. Although the band has gone through multiple drummers, they have never made a bad choice, and new drummer Brian Perales is nailing their heavy-hitting, ferocious sound, elevating the band to a new level of rock firepower. Can catch the intense Instigator experience at a house show on Saturday, Dec. 9, or at the Glass House in Pomona, when the band opens for Brujeria on Sunday, Dec. 10. For more information, visit instagram.com/instigatorband.
What was the first concert you attended?
It was back in 2009, when I was 16. It was a yearly festival in the Los Angeles area called Thrasho De Mayo. The year I went, it was at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood and had Exumer headlining (a great German thrash band). It also had great opening bands from the L.A. area like Sakrificer, Witchaven, Fueled by Fire, etc.
What was the first album you owned?
Metallica’s Ride the Lightning. It was a special one, because when my dad moved out to L.A. back in 1985, that was also his first album he bought in the U.S.
What bands are you listening to right now?
A lot of Demolition Hammer, Hallows Eve, and Metallica, of course. I also listen to a lot of Thin Lizzy and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Bad Bunny! His music just sucks!
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Even though I’ve seen them live a few times already, I’d love to see Metallica back in the ’80s with Cliff Burton in the lineup.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure song-wise is “My Melody of Love” by Bobby Vinton. As for a genre, I like ’80s darkwave like the Cure and Depeche Mode. Really good music!
What’s your favorite music venue?
It has to be the old House of Blues in Hollywood before it was closed down.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Lucifer goes walkin’ down for you to meet,” “Rock Bottom” by UFO.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Definitely, hands-down, Metallica. I remember my dad playing their music since I was little, so their music was always around. I remember my dad bought me Cliff ’Em All! on DVD, which is all these different live performances of Metallica when Cliff Burton was in the band. Seeing Cliff Burton’s bass solo literally sold me on I want to do that for the rest of my life. It’s funny, because I started off as a bass player, and I’m a drummer now, but that video is what basically started my musical journey.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I definitely would like to talk to James Hetfield. I’d ask him what advice he has on being a musician and also how he writes his lyrics, and where his inspiration for those lyrics come from. I’ve always wanted to be a lyricist, but it’s so hard.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Goodbye to Romance” by Ozzy Osbourne.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
That is a hard one for me, but I’d have to go with Master of Puppets by Metallica. It has one of my all-time-favorite songs on it, “Disposable Heroes.”
What song should everyone listen to right now?
Go listen to “Bonded by Blood” by Exodus!
