Destroy Boys: Redefining Genre
by Katrina Sammons
Destroy Boys, a Cali-grown band of ‘99-ers, is a prime example of our generation’s revolutionary understanding of music and genre. Having opened for Blink-182, Pierce the Veil, and Red Hot Chili Peppers in the last year alone, their range of recent tour collaborators proves the extent of their stylistic horizons.
The band was founded in Sacramento by lead guitarist and singer, Violet Mayugba, and lead vocalist and guitarist, Alexia Roditis. Their debut EP “Mom Jeans” was released when the pair was just fifteen years old. Since its formation in 2015, it has expanded to include Narsai Malik on drums, as well as David Orozco on bass.
Destroy Boys had achieved recognition by local contests and nominations for multiple music awards by 2018. As of 2024, they have released four studio albums and eighteen singles.
“It gave us a long time to construct our sound,” said Alexia about launching the band’s career at such a young age. “I think it affected the trajectory, because we got to start and build an audience for longer than other people would.”
The Destroy Boys fan base has consistently increased in number since the beginning. Their local music scene quickly grew to appreciate the band, earning them nominations for the 2017 Sacramento Area Music Awards, and they went on their first North American tour soon after. In 2020, they gained widespread media popularity when their song “I Threw Glass at My Friend’s Eyes and Now I’m On Probation” went viral on TikTok. To date, they have performed over 300 concerts in more than 10 countries.
The past year has been one of the most eventful for Destroy Boys in terms of career development. After playing Coachella last spring, the band picked up gigs at international festivals and toured with Blink-182 across the country. They spent the summer headlining, and embarked on a North American tour with Pierce the Veil shortly after. Then, in March of 2024, they announced their spot at Lollapalooza and were even
featured on a Manhattan billboard.
“I played literally the biggest arena in my hometown,” David said. “I mean like, it’s just kind of unreal.”
The aspect of Destroy Boys that sets them apart from the rest is their mixture of genre. Violet and Alexia planted the band’s punk rock roots in high school, Narsai brings the stadium rock vibe, and David’s heart lies in pop and classic rock. As the members have matured, their musical scope has widened to reflect their taste. ‘Alternative’ seems to be the closest word for the music Destroy Boys creates, but the band does not shy away from pushing the boundaries of labels. Their discography has been described as everything from mellow to metal - some media descriptors being riot grrrl-esque, hardcore, and indie - and their music takes on a new identity with every song they make.
“If you ask anybody in the band, I think they’ll have a different answer,” said David. “We amalgamate every genre that we enjoy.”
One of their recent singles, “Plucked,” features synth, balanced instrumentation, and sudden switches within the song. “Should’ve Been Me,” their newest single, is a rage-filled hardcore masterpiece of shouted lyrics and loud guitar. Both of these songs were featured on their album Funeral Soundtrack #4 - a divergence from their debut album, Sorry, Mom, which leaned heavily into their garage punk foundation.
Creating art that spans across multiple genres is beneficial for both the industry and the consumers. The wide range of music Destroy Boys makes means that they have a song for everyone. Fans can enjoy headbangers like “Beg For The Torture” and acoustic tracks like “Lo peor” all under one artist profile.
“I think they have a noticeable variety during their songs, some are more political while others are more personal,” said Jesse, a long-time fan. “They always keep their music fresh, which is why I’ve stuck around with them.”
Though many artists have faced backlash when they stray from debut branding, Destroy Boys has gained popularity for doing so. By allowing their music to grow up alongside them, they are redefining the concept of genre in a way that will have lasting effects. The band is carving out a path for multi-genre musicians, and as their fan base continues to grow, so will the innovative ways they choose to utilize their platform.
“I don’t think any band anymore, or at least in the future, is gonna be one straight up genre. I think that if you are just one genre, you’re not gonna make it too far,” stated David.
Destroy Boys will be performing in New York City on November 16 at Webster Hall. Their songs, including their new album, can be listened to on any streaming platform.