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Insult are a hard-hitting metal band based in the UK. With ex-Original Onslaught members Steve Grice and Jase Stallard joined by Jase Howell, Robbie Harris, and Jon Fifield, the band are based in Bristol, UK.
What are the origins of Insult, and how long have you been playing together?
Myself, (Steve Grice that is) and Jason Stallard were formerly original members of Thrash Metal Band Onslaught. We recorded two albums together, Power From Hell and The Force, back in the early 80s. Our vocalist, Jason Howell, later joined Onslaught as a roadie in the late 80s and went on to do security for us in working the pit to try and give the punters a better gig experience, rather than be manhandled like in-house security apes did back in those dark, dark days.
I didn’t meet Robbie and John until about four years ago, after they replied to an advert on Facebook I put on, trying to recruit two guitarists for this very band.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Insult?
Ah well. I would say we are very old school with modern-day arrangements if there is such a thing. We didn’t really plan out to follow any genre. The guys came out with some riffs, some sounded quite punk-like originally, and as we progressed, it kind of autotuned to a more metal sound. No real intention, I guess, it’s just the way things were. I would describe the music as exactly that. Kind of like a natural, non-electronic version of The Prodigy meets an 80s hard-hitting metal band if that makes any sense at all!
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
Well, our first proper gig was a bit lame really because we only had the one guitarist. That said, everybody at the show seemed to have enjoyed it based on the feedback that we all received. And the second gig, well, pretty much the same because he couldn’t make that either as it was the day after the first gig 😉
What are you working on at the moment that people can check out?
Check out the new album, Reside Infernus, which is coming out at the end of May! If you’re craving pure aggression, this one’s got it by the bagful. If you bleed real metal, you’re gonna love this. And if you’re sick to death of sterile, robotic recordings, Reside Infernus is what you need. No compromise. No bullshit.
Regarding a similar audience, which band at the moment do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
Tricky one! I would say Motorhead, but obviously that’s not gonna happen now, so let’s go for Municipal Waste.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Man, I’ve got to be honest with you right here. I don’t tend to listen to new music, not sure why, but I just don’t tend to listen to music anymore right now. Nothing seems to excite me.
What frustrates you about the music business?
You know what really pisses me off? The streaming and download bullshit that’s become the norm. Yeah, I get it, it’s legal, it’s convenient, everyone does it. Fine. But let’s not pretend this isn’t a total screwjob for the people who actually make the music. This industry has sold out its own artists. Musicians get shafted while tech companies and platforms rake in billions. It’s a goddamn joke and somehow, we’re just supposed to smile and carry on?
Let me ask you this: What other profession gets ripped off this hard for doing their job? Where the blood, sweat, and years of sacrifice mean nothing once your work hits the digital world?
And what about young bands trying to survive? How the hell are they meant to eat, let alone tour or record, when their music’s just taken for free and they get a few pennies — if that?
The system is broken. No, the system is rotting. And unless something changes, it’s gonna drag real music down with it.
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say, “I want to do that”?
I used to love to listen to Sweet. They bought a real edge to the pop/glam scene in the 70’s. Real music, real riffs, and real attitude. Then there was drumming along to Dance with the Devil by Cozy Powell. That was a light bulb moment for me, I just had to get a drum kit.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Judas Priest in Bournemouth. Managed to blag passes from Mr. Sneap, which was nice. Totally blown away by Saxon and Priest. Excellent stage presence. Immense sound, great light show, and pure, pure perfection. The ultimate metal show.
I was lucky enough to tour with Saxon in the ’80s, and we also opened for Priest in Germany, so for me personally, it was great to be in the audience watching with all the proper fans.
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
Shit me. Really – where do I even start?
I’m at my absolute limit with the morons who dump rubbish on the side of the road — or even worse, in places of natural beauty. It’s not just lazy, it’s disgusting, and it shows a complete lack of respect for the very world we all have to live in.
Seriously — how the hell do these lowlifes think?
You live here too, you idiot. This isn’t someone else’s problem. It’s your planet, your town, your children’s future, and you’re treating it like a landfill?
If I could sit down with one of these clowns, I’d love to ask them:
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
And then I’d sit there, arms crossed, just waiting for an answer…
But I doubt they’ve got the brains to form one.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Black- Wonderful Life. One of my all-time favorite albums. It just encapsulates my very first holiday away in Spain with my mates back in 1988. It’s always the first record I play when I arrive at the beach for the first time each year. A tradition, I guess.
Everybody is a fan of something. Who or what are you a fan of?
I’ve always loved birds of prey. They’re the ultimate hunters, pure instinct, no bullshit. The perfect killing machines.
When your body inspires modern-day, state-of-the-art fighter jet design, you know you’ve nailed it. Flawless aerodynamics. Total precision. No mercy.
They don’t just fly, they dominate the sky.
What music have you been enjoying so far this year?
Funny enough, I have rewound back to early punk. The Ramones, The Ruts, and Bad Brains who were the most underrated and cheated band around in the 80s. Their colour held them back, that’s for sure, and if you don’t believe me, watch the documentary on YouTube. That band should have been massive, great songs, great lyrics, and insanely good musicians.
What does the rest of this year hold for Insult?
Got to try and get on as many gigs as possible. We are playing Keep It True Rising in Germany, which is in October, and a few local festivals to boot. There’s a great little festival near Swindon called Deprivation Festival, which we are playing on, so come see us there, folks.
How active are you on social media, and where can people connect with you?
We are on Facebook or www.insultofficial.com
Check out the new album, guys, hope you like it, and try and catch us live somewhere. Take care and hope to see you soon!
