Season one: DO OR DIE

Made in the golden years pre revolution
When our digital age was an embryo
We learned our art from extreme dedication
Dreams built so high we’d get vertigo
We’d jam for hours in basements and bedrooms
And try to break through the walls
The world we knew had no guards and no fences
No net to catch when we’d fall
We were the kings of our art
We’d alter the landscape
Heroes sewn on our backs, in our hearts
Calling us to our big break
Strong as steel inside
Our dreams were unified
A shared unspoken pride
Our motto ‘Do or die’
The daily grind was like being under water
Friday to Monday our holy grail
The music stores were magnetic compulsion
Drawn to the notice boards and the sales
Tape cassettes with no case filled our cars up
Half the real thing half our tributes
Each band would cover the range of their singer
The local clubs were our refuge
We were immersed in this life
A carefree existence
Dream one day we would play with the gods
Or anyone who would listen
Strong as steel inside
Our dreams were unified
A shared unspoken pride
Our motto ‘Do or die’
But the party had to end sometime
We died and became fossilized

Season two: FAR FROM MY SOUL

The shouts of the drunken revelers
Broke my heart when time surrendered
I played one note in the sullen light and
Hit rock bottom without a fight
Something like this
I just don’t want to wake
There’s no part of me that doesn’t ache
I am floating face down inside my swimming head
The shining years have passed away
Left me here with their bills to pay
The fire that once consumed my insides
Is doused by my sunken rain cloud eyes
So God can you hear me calling?
I can’t see the sky from this hole
How did I get this empty so far from my soul?
I had to step out of my body
And into one with a plastic smile
Live a hollowed out meaningless number
Sentenced without a trial
And all those who knew didn’t know me
When my love left a ‘Dear John’ note
My empty heart couldn’t keep holding onto
The glory days that’s all she wrote
So God can you hear me calling?
I can’t see the sky from this hole
How did I get this empty so far from my soul?
So far from my soul
So far from my soul
Give me back my soul
My soul

Season three: BACK TO MY LIFE

A gap between the curtains broke my ruby eyes
A glimpse of life I really thought had died
Tethered to nostalgia I begin to rise
The spark inside enough to start the fire
Memories they streak across the modern skies
Glowing in subconscious harmonies
I had to run to catch them from the dizzy heights
Released into this new world finally
Rising from the charred remains
For something that I must reclaim
I am growing stronger
I have found the hunger that’s brought me back to my life
The long dark broken by this light
The vision now has taken flight
Carried through the darkest nights
I am growing stronger bring me back into the light
I have found the hunger
Bring me back to my life
The music’s building towers in my busy head
Visions from my collaged thoughts collected
Frantically I scribble like a man possessed
Each emotion tuned in and connected
Immerse myself in ideas never realized
Surround myself with those who have the drive
Inspire a new collective to come with me
It’s not the destination now enjoy the ride
Rising from the charred remains
For something that I must reclaim
I am growing stronger
I have found the hunger that’s brought me back to my life
The long dark broken by this light
The vision now has taken flight
Carried through the darkest nights
I am growing stronger bring me back into the light
I have found the hunger
Bring me back to my life
-My eyes delight this wonder
My heart receives this wonder
My soul has ceased to wander
The past is torn asunder
The past is torn asunder
Climb through the cloud, reach out and touch the veil

Season four: BRAND NEW AND BEAUTIFUL

I hear the third eye can open
When you achieve clarity
Any words stay unspoken
In this golden light levity
Here’s my dream finally realised
Here’s my paradise found
No integrity compromised
Carved my niche in the wall of sound
Here is my world without ceilings
There’s no end to the sky
Where the dark will not find me
Look my peers right in the eyes
I have sacrificed everything
To be here in this place
It would take a tornado
To tear the smile from my face
I have lived every lyric
Every note blood and flesh
Found a new voice unbroken
Feel it all synchromesh
Emerge from the wings, pull the strings and lift the veil
Transition the ignition fuelled by a passion
Brand new, beautiful created by Instar
Polished, embellished and skillfully fashioned
Brand new, beautiful created by Instar
Achieved when I believed in phoenix from the ashes
Brand new, beautiful created by Instar
The highs and the lows are swells and crashes
Brand new and beautiful created by Instar
Once my name was on chalkboards
Now it glistens in lights
Pour my heart through the PA
I’m reborn every night
Put my logo in concrete
Just below my own star
This is paraphernalia
But it keeps us where we are
There is power in expression
It can touch each emotion
Every tongue can convey as we sway
In firelight oceans
Thank you all for my freedom
Keep my songs in your heart
I am once more with feeling
Until my next Instar
Stand in the light, lift your hands and lift my heart
Transition the ignition fuelled by a passion
Brand new, beautiful created by Instar
Polished, embellished and skillfully fashioned
Brand new, beautiful created by Instar
Achieved when I believed in phoenix from the ashes
Brand new, beautiful created by Instar
The highs and the lows are swells and crashes
Brand new and beautiful created by Instar